In college, I switched majors about four times.

One day I was sitting in my college counselor’s office, and she told me that I could graduate college early if I’d just pick a major and stick with it. I am not a, “sit in the seat in a closed space learner,” so having my Bachelor’s Degree in ANYTHING at the age of 20 was my light at the end of the tunnel. I ended up a Religion major with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. Go figure.

So, for one of my classes, I had to write a mission statement for my youth group. This was my first foray into mission statements. I don’t remember what it said, but I remember that it was well-worded and pretty, with different fonts and colors (hey, that was a big deal back then…) After college, there wasn’t much use for a mission statement really. I went back to school, grudgingly, after realizing that I didn’t really want a career in “religion.” So, I became a teacher.

The next time the words, “Mission Statement” entered my life was when I started my photography business. One of the books I read said that I needed to write a mission statement. It felt too much like school, so I didn’t do it.

Last year, I ended up starting to read a book called, “7 Habits of the Highly Effective Person.” I’m stuck on chapter 3. The chapter on writing your life mission statement.

I don’t know what my hang-up is about writing out a mission statement. About two weeks ago, after procrastinating for about eight months now, I hit on one phrase, “To love and be loved.” And immediately I just knew, this was my life’s mission in a nutshell. It sounds simple, but it’s 35+ years in the making.

Now, I guess I need to make it more specific. I guess I’ll let you know in about eight months what comes to mind.