When I was younger I traveled to the beat of my own drummer. I was the kid who wore what I wanted, most of the time I said what I wanted to and did what I wanted, with in reason and not ever thinking of being judged. One particular time stands out for me. I was about six or seven years old. I was at the beach with my grandparents. We went out to dinner one night to my favorite seafood restaurant. We got there, sat down, ordered and talked. Before we knew it, our food was there. I jumped up and asked if I could say grace. And then the next thing you know, I am standing on the table singing Johnny Apple Seed for the entire restaurant. Needless to say, I nailed it. I even signed a few autographs, one for my grandfather of course. I think back to that time and wonder where did that fun, fearless, carefree kid go? When did I start worrying so much, especailly about what other people think? When did I start planning so much and stop being spontanious? When did I start worrying about making sure to say the right thing so I would fit in? Well, I’m taking a bit of advice from the little girl I used to be. I’m not worrying and planning. I’m just jumping and doing something that feels so right for me. I am going on the World Race, a year long mission trip. I stumbled upon the World Race a few years ago. I was a student at Clemson University at the time and knew I couldn’t take a year off to travel. But I couldn’t get the Race out of my head. I knew this was something I needed to do, I just didn’t know when or how. Two years later during my junior year at Clemson I became very ill and left on medical leave. I slowly got better and started to work while I was home. I also started exploring the Race more seriously. I couldn’t fight it any more; I felt called to do the Race. I couldn’t come up with any more excuses about why I couldn’t go. I applied and luckly I got it! So here I go… let the journey begin.
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be”
Douglas Adams
