As a kid we all had some type of version of how our life would play out. For me, I would envision (quite often) what I considered the perfect life. In this “perfect” life, I would go to college, then graduate and then go off to my “perfect” career… as a lawyer. I would marry the “perfect” husband and we would build our “perfect” home. I would see myself driving the “perfect” car taking my 2 “perfect” kids to their “perfect” school. Like right now, I should be in my “perfect” home listening to my kids practicing on the piano as I’m cooking the “perfect” meal for my family. But, oh how the universe has a way of changing that vision.
As kid’s, we honestly believe that the sky is the limit. Especially us, millenials. You can’t tell us, nothing, nada, zip. But, as we get older something starts to happen. It’s like life’s blows us in the chest one too many times, and it starts to slow us down. Too many, “no’s” or obstacles that gets in the way. After awhile, we start to give up on ourselves or become too afraid to keep going. I was so certain that I wanted to be a lawyer, but when I changed my mind, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, and I became scared. I became scared of making any decision. I felt like I had spent enough wasted time. I wanted to immediately figure out what next to do. I wasn’t trying to slow down long enough to grasp what it was that
1. I was good at
2.And what I was passionate about
I can be very controlling when it comes to my personal life. I literally had a mental check list. Certain things had to be a certain way at a certain time. I was having a hard time of letting go of that mentality. However, I was recently faced with a decision of either continuing my life this way. Not taking risks. Not living out any of my ideas. Not taking the trip. Just wake up, go to work, come home, and repeat. Pretty much letting the hardships that I faced, win.
Or, I could simply choose the “scary” route. The route of taking chances not knowing the outcome. Choosing to live my life out loud with no regrets. Choosing to no longer follow the straight and narrow path.
I just recently got a cover up on my back that tends to catch people’s attention, and I usually end up getting asked the meaning. I usually end up saying something a little like this:
“It’s the representation of this journey I’m on now. The tree breaking out into the bird is the symbolization of the old me. The one “perfect” life that I fought so hard to get and keep. The bird is me jumping into faith, and becoming this free spiritual person. Not letting anything or anyone hold me back.”
I realized that I could not become the best me possible by staying on that tree. I’m learning to slow down a little bit, so I can learn more about me. Enjoying the small things in life. Taking those risks. So far, I have to say I’m enjoying it. I’m realizing that even with those hard days, there’s always a lesson to be learned. It’s how I go about dealing with it that counts.
If I could offer any advice I would say, choose to live the life you envision, but be open to change. Pay attention to who YOU are and less on what people expected you to be. Focus on what helps develop you. Even on those down days, because everyone will have one, choose to still be optimistic about your life. No one told you this journey would be easy, but it most certainly will be worth it, as long as you don’t give up. Overall, as my girl Ms. Frizzle would say, “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!”
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