In my course on IT and Data Management this semester, we are supposed to work on a draft of what will become our final portfolios for the Doctor of Public Administration program. It is very exciting (and a wee bit nerve-wracking, but mostly exciting) to begin working on it. I can look back on 27 credit hours (9 courses) and see all of the assignments that I have completed thus far, and it makes me feel proud of myself.

As Christians, we are discouraged from being too proud of ourselves, but I think that reflecting on your accomplishments can be a healthy motivational tool to continue on the journey. When I look through my school files and skim over research papers and other assignments that I worked so hard on, I realize that I CAN DO THIS … because I am doing it! 🙂

It reminds me of that scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Harry realizes that he can cast the Patronus spell because he’d already witnessed himself doing it while he and Hermione were using the time-turner.

Expecto Patronum (video clip)

Now, that is a great feeling.