My Purpose?

          What could possibly be my purpose in life? A number of things jump to the front of my mind as I think. Many of these are there for a rhyme or reason but others have just stuck with me. Some days I wish I could just be told my future. But, that isn’t how life works. I’ve learned that the little things in life turn out to be the biggest differences. Once a person understands that, they can have a better understanding of themselves and their purpose.
 
            People’s lives change as time goes on, but at the moment everyone has a purpose. One of my current purposes is to be a student-athlete. Being a student-athlete has taught countless lessons of life. It has taught me discipline, responsibility, and time management. Time management sticks out to me. Now that I’m finally a senior, it has taught me that you can never waste a minute because there are always deadlines to be meeting and studying to be done. As an athlete, my purpose is to be a leader. I firmly believe actions speak louder than words. So as a leader, I lead by example because I know if they see me doing it they will follow in return. Although there is always times to speak up its key to always know your surroundings. Another purpose in my life right now is to be a brother. I know that I will always be there for my sister, Laura. Growing up she was always there to fall back to ask anything. It could have been as easy as the capital of New York, or as tough as where do babies come from? I may have been too scared to ask that second question to her then, but it sounded good at the time. She was always there for me, now it’s my turn to be there for her anytime.

            A sure purpose in my life I know is to further my education after high school. “Where do you want to go to college?” My answer now is the same as it was this time last year…. I honestly don’t know. Although I have narrowed it down, I feel myself seconding guessing my decision every time I think I know. Even though the list has been trimmed down to three schools, I’m still very undecided (University of Lincoln, Creighton, University of Omaha). “What will you major in?” I know I will either enter college as a nursing or business major. “How could you not know between those two?” Well I like nursing because it caught my eye as a family friend described his job as a nurse anesthetist. On the flip side, the business world could lead me anywhere. I sort of like that feeling of not knowing always knowing where you will end up. Either way, I know I’ll choose something I will love to do.

            After looking at the schools I’ve narrowed my college choices down to, I’ve came to one conclusion. I see myself living in an urban setting as life carries on. I have loved growing up in Aurora don’t get me wrong. Aurora is great community to raise a family. The entire community is unified as one and I love that but something about the big city setting has me. Whether it is for my future job or wife, I see myself moving away from Aurora. Maybe I have just lived on the television too much and watched the wrong shows. Listening to my parents talk about their short life in Dallas, Texas, makes me want to experience it for myself. I know that my purpose in life will provide for my family in the future.

            So what is my purpose in life? I believe that each purpose I discover along the way will lead me directly to my next one. Some people see their purpose in life to make as much money as they can. Great. No dollar in a bank account will ever define my purpose in life. Many others see it as owning the nicest tangibles. Life has taught me that physical things are only around for so long. People are always one upping each other. This is why the things never first thought of like relationships can mean the most to people. For my life to be purposeful, I need to be happy and make others around feel it to. With that being said, I have many choices to make some easy, but many worth sitting down and thinking about.

Where am i?

 

MY STATE



            Nebraska. The home of the Great Cornhuskers. In a state where professional athletics is zero, this makes Husker Football that much bigger. Everyone in the state comes to a common place, Memorial Stadium, every Saturday the Husker’s are in town. Memorial Stadium itself becomes the third largest city in Nebraska on that given Saturday. The fans have two rules to go by. Wear red and be loud! Nebraska is much more than just a football team. Nebraska is home to some of the craziest weather around. Any one in Nebraska will agree that the summers are too hot and the winters are too darn cold. Growing up in Nebraska for 18 years, I still couldn't tell you what tomorrow will bring with Mother Nature.

 

 

MY COMMUNITY

            Aurora, Nebraska. A town that I am lucky to have grown up in. The people are so welcoming to new families and support you when you need it most. With a little over 4000 people, it's hard to go anywhere you don't see someone you know. The Aurora community is so special because of the close knit relationships you develop with people you never would have thought of. That being said this is great place to raise a young family. Many of the families in Aurora are here to stay. The biggest reason for this is where Aurora is located. Aurora is dominated by agriculture. Driving a mile any direction out of Aurora you will see corn fields for miles on end. On the flip side, our community is driven by local businesses. Driving around the square, you don't have to go very far to see what our community has to offer. Yes, kids can have fun in small town Nebraska. Aurora does have some hang out spots for teens. Two of the better ones are located on the northwest side of the square. The 12st Cinema (yes a movie theatre) and the Youth Center are run by all volunteers. As a city, Aurora has been pumping money into their city parks. Strides have been made here and shown most definitely.  





 

 

MY SCHOOL

            Aurora High School. The home of the Huskies. Aurora is known around the state for their athletics, but an athlete must first always be a student. Aurora's students are always near the top of the state with our ACT scores. Academics are where they are at because of the teachers and administration the students have before them. Students, me included take our teachers jobs for granted. Not only are we there Monday through Friday, but the teachers are there by our side helping us along any way they can. After academics come sports in Aurora. Once you step on the field or court against an Aurora team, you know you're in for a dog fight. Being a three sport athlete through my high school career, I know there is one thing I wish I could have always been a part of. The Aurora student section or Dog Pound. The support the students give to the athletes on the field or court never goes unnoticed in my eyes. The chants and yells always clean (hahaha) from the section will always be cemented in my head. Although many of my memories will be remembered on the court or field, some of my best ones come from the student section with my friends.



 

 

 

MY HOME



            How many people can say they have grown up in a mortuary? ...Yeah, many people may get the wrong idea when hearing that question, but that has been part of my upbringing. Since moving to Aurora in 2000, I have called Higby-McQuiston Mortuary home. When I was younger I was always afraid that none of my friends would want to come over because of where I lived. This turned out to be partly true through my younger years. My best friend, Cole Ashby, couldn't stay the night at my house until 7th grade. Looking back, I still can remember countless nights where he thought he had build up enough courage to stay the night, but ended with him calling his parents every time! I understand now that everyone handles the "other half" of my house differently, so I never forced my friends into anything. By growing up in a mortuary it has taught countless life lessons and has put me in situations that have made me understand everything in life happens for a reason. A perfect example of this life lesson is Jacob Peters. He didn't deserve to go, but it was his time and he was ready. After hearing he had passed, Gary told my parents the next day, "That Jacob is only staying the night at Ben's house, and he won't be alone." Situations like this make my home so special. I never have to go far to see how blessed I really am.



 



Who am I?

"Wherever You Will Go" -The Calling


 

"The only person you need to try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” –Unknown

Who am I? I am Benjamin Lee McQuiston. I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. We lived in Lincoln until the turn of the millennium. As a child, I have a couple lasting memories of Lincoln. One, I had a sweet tree house I lived in. If I could have grown up in that tree, I really would of. Second, Lincoln is just too crowded. This would only become my last worry when moving to Aurora. Once I moved to Aurora, I made friends immediately. My first friend, Cole Ashby, my best friend to this day was there waiting the first day of preschool. I think it all came together on our first Halloween together. He dressed as Stone Cold Steve Austin and I dressed as my favorite Nascar driver, Jeff Gordon. (Yes helmet, shoes, and all) I knew I had a friend after that day.

As I have grown up one word sticks out to me. Active. I have been active my entire life. I believe being a part of the Aurora community has done that to me. Growing up in Aurora is a lot like Lay’s Potato Chips. Betcha can’t eat just one; well I bet you can’t just try out one thing here. I play everything imaginable. Baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, track, and oh yeah football. I spent my five summers from 11 to 15 years old playing travel baseball for the Lincoln Dodgers. Yes, I did just say Lincoln. I got to know the interstate well growing up and coming to visit my birth town often. By playing competitive every weekend for five years, I understand what a great team mate is. Encourage, Encourage, Encourage. That is one trait that will stay with me throughout my life on this planet. Sports have been a focus in my life, but other things have caught my eye. Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Circle of Friends, National Honors Society, Ambassadors program, and God teens every Wednesday night. These major organizations have shaped me into the person I am. I have learned so many traits by staying committed. Honesty, Integrity, Trust, Loyalty, Confidence, and Flexible. When the going gets tough I know I will always have the framework to lean back on because of these traits I have been taught. By sticking to these activities I know I have gotten the most out of my short life so far. When thinking back of who am I now? I can confidently write that I am someone who has lived life with no regrets.

None of these things that have happened in my life would have been possible without my family. I have the father and mother in the entire world, Mike and Linda. They are always there for me in any situation. They know when to give me support, or when I need encouragement to push me to greater things. Mike, my dad, is the strongest man I know. With the struggles he faces everyday with his job, you could never tell a difference in his personality. He does more for the good of others than anyone else I could ever think of. I can always count on him to make me smile with one of his famous jokes. Linda, my mom, is that one person I can tell anything too. Her understanding is something that has always been there with me. Any time I need advice on a situation, I can always count on her word to give me guidance. Laura, my sister, is someone I have always looked up too. While growing up she was always the one playing. She taught me how to be tough and understand that nothing is given to you in life. Even being away in Lincoln now, I feel our relationship has only grown closer as the distance has increased. I am truly grateful to live the life I do and blessed in endless ways.

My future will find me. This is something that I have come to a conclusion of. I am such an indecisive person. One day I want to be a business person that wears that suit to work every day. The next day I see myself as a teacher, coach, and leading the youth. No matter what I choose to do in life I know I will never be alone. I know that God will always be there to have my back. I also know he has a plan for me. I am letting it take its course because everything happens for a reason. I’m just a passenger letting God steer my way.

           

Pictures :)

Deep Map

Artifact