Growing Up
I was adopted at a young age, by a family that may not have given me life, but certainly has loved me through it. I had two sisters who I aspired to be like. My mom and dad always told me I could do anything I put my mind to. My parents said I was a strong-willed child that didn’t let anything stand in my way. My parents also like to say, this made parenting a little more challenging.
Believing in Yourself
At a young age, I found my empowerment in reading and writing. If I didn’t know the answer to something I would find out. If someone told me I couldn’t do something, I would devote my being to proving them wrong. I always believed I had the tenacity to do and be whatever I wanted.
Losing Yourself
As a child, your life is wild and free. You don’t worry about jumping in a lake with snakes, and snapping turtles, you are excited you get to go swimming. If you tried something and it didn’t work out, you tried again. I always viewed failure as a learning opportunity.
When I was young, I was a swimmer. I had a really hard time learning how to dive. It was belly flop after belly flop. My coach would have me kneel with one knee down, and one leg bent. When I would dive in the pool she would grab my back leg to straighten it out. I had so many bruises from my legs hitting the gutter, but I practied over and over until I was a decent diver. My coach would never let me stop believing in myself.
I went to college. I didn’t have my mom, dad, teachers, or any coaches encouraging me daily. I soon realized it was so easy to believe in myself when everyone around me believed in me. Now, if I wanted to accomplish something there would be no declaration of my goals to others, and no one to hold me accountable. That could only mean one thing. I would be the driver and enforcer in all aspects of my life.
I didn’t treat my mind or body with love. I wanted so hard to get ahead, I didn’t care what it took. I worked full-time, stopped exercising, ate terrible, and didn’t foster healthy relationships. I was so busy with all the things, I wasn’t taking care of myself. I started caring way too much what people thought.
The first semester of my sophomore year, my biological father passed away. I had seen my biological father a little when I was young, but had not ever really had a relationship with him. With that said, I was really bothered by his death. I was 19, trying to figure out who I was, and who I was meant to be. What if one day I needed him to answer questions. I would now never have that opportunity.
Loving Yourself
I truly believe if you have never lost yourself, you do not know what you are made of. I had a lot of regrets for the decisions I made in my 20s. I essentially was ashamed of the person I had become. I would play things out in my head of scenarios I wish I had handled differently. It was and still is a constant battle of reminding myself that is does not matter what others think of me. I have to give myself the same grace I would have as a child. I have learned my entire life is a learning expierence. I will only fail if I quit trying.
Potential
My husband and I often talk about potential. Potential is a powerful thing if it is used. There are so many people with “great potential.” There are very few that tap into that potential. You may be capable of doing a lot of things, but until you put in the work, your potential will go unused and unnoticed. Today, I encourage you to use your potential. Hustle. Show some grit. Be the person you always thought you would be. You are exactly where you are meant to be.
