Finding My Future

I remember myself staring at the white brisk snow on a cold, late December morning, knowing that in a few short weeks I wouldn't be staring at the blinding, bitter cold, but instead the hard, red dirt of the desert, or at least a cactus or two. Moving across the country wasn't something that scared me or intimidated me, I found myself excited to take on the new challenge, to thaw out after a brutal winter, meet new people and welcome new experiences, find a new sense of growth beyond college research papers and football tailgates. Though I knew I would desperately miss the memories, the close comfort between my family and my friends, I knew that this was something I needed to do for myself. Now having been here for a little over three months I can’t explain how beneficial this move has been for me, I feel like I have grown more in this past few months then I did over the past three years. I was able to close open wounds, let go of lost people and find myself in a way I wasn't sure was possible. It’s like something happens when you’re no longer in the same state as your parents or best friends, when you are forced to depend solely on yourself. I found pieces of myself that I didn't even know were missing, it could be the constant sunshine that brings happiness to people out here, but whatever it is I can’t complain. I always thought about leaving Michigan after college but wasn't ever positive it would happen, now, I can’t wait to see what’s next, now, I believe everyone needs to leave their comfort zone, their familiar environments, everyone needs a chance to expand, to grow, to fail, to succeed, to ultimately pick themselves up.

Before moving out the Arizona I wasn't necessarily confident in where my career path would lead me, I had thousands of ideas, 99.9% of them I’m fairly confident were made up and don’t currently exists, but I wasn't ever sure where I hoped to end up. I changed my major four times in college, left wondering if I had made the right choice, started my internship in Arizona and realized that half of the things I thought I wanted to do, aren't for me. I can’t say that I know where I’m headed now or that I will end up finding my perfect future, but knowing that I was able experience something I thought I would be fascinated with for years to come, to only find out I was fascinated with for a little over two weeks, well at least I can cross that one off my list. I can absolutely tell you that you won’t find me in a court room or leaning over the operating table, that I doubt my painting skills or vocal cords will develop much in the next few years, but I can tell you that if I find the right opportunity to help children in my future, I will take it and run with it, because sitting behind a desk just isn't for me, but helping children, that’s my future.