By Tonya Sprague

Why is it that sometimes no matter how hard some people try to get ahead in life, they always seem so take one step forward and two steps back? Lately, without getting too personal, that's how things have been going for yours truly. It seems that no matter how great something is going for me, there is always something else that happens to screw it all up. Just when I thought my life was on an upswing, I'm suddenly knocked back down off of cloud nine.

I'm sure I'm not alone. Many of you are probably going through the same thing. I won't elaborate about my personal life, because, well... it's personal. I will however acknowledge the fact that only I can change what happens to me. After all, who we are determines what we see.

I was asked the other day, Tonya, where do you see yourself five years from now? How does one answer such a question? The optimistic person may respond by saying they see themselves buying a nice house, having a kid or two, in a great marriage with a wonderful spouse, two cats a dog and a picket fence. The

pessimistic person may respond by saying still broke, no car, lousy job, home life in shambles and no one to care. Me however, I didn't really have an answer, I just have hopes for my future.

I hope I'll get over these bumps in the road and on to smoother paths in my life. I hope I'll own a house someday instead of renting one. I hope I'll be able to take a well deserved vacation that requires me to travel and actually pack a suitcase. I hope I'll continue to be as passionate about my career as I have always been, regardless of where it takes me. If someone asked me five years ago where I thought I'd be today, I promise you I never would have imagined I'd be the managing editor of this fine publication. It'll be a difficult road at times, but I'll have to take the good with the bad and keep believing in myself. I know it's gonna be easier said than done, but there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

It takes time. After all, that's what five years is, one-twelfth of your adult life. A measure of time. Something we all wish we had more of  and the thing there is never enough of in a day. I often wonder, if we were given more hours in a day would it still be enough? Only time will tell.

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