Begin Again

“If you get stuck, draw with a different pen. Change your tools, open your mind.”
— Paul Arden
Photos by Geneva Patterson

Photos by Geneva Patterson

While it may be the end to my summer vacation, (which was both the most wonderful and stressful “free time” I have ever had) my ambitions and positive energy are going no where anytime soon. I have officially left behind a part of myself from the last two years at my college newspaper and the PVCC Student Government, neither I am taking on this Fall for a round two or three. But to move forward in my life I feel that I need to slowly walk away and say “thank you” to my past opportunities. To me everything is a stepping stone towards your dreams and I think I got the most that I possibly could out of what I have now decided to move on from.

Outfit details: "Monday" tee (TJ MAXX), circle skirt (Urban Outfitters), necklace (thrift gift), colorful bracelet (Target), gold spike bracelet (Rocks Box), "I Am Very Busy" planner (shopbando.com)

Outfit details: "Monday" tee (TJ MAXX), circle skirt (Urban Outfitters), necklace (thrift gift), colorful bracelet (Target), gold spike bracelet (Rocks Box), "I Am Very Busy" planner (shopbando.com)

Today I was welcomed by a banner that read “Welcome to the Real World” of practically paying through my third year of community college starting this week, beginning my Fall internship at College Times TODAY (wish me luck!), and embracing my true self with my goals to create happiness. AND I COULD NOT BE ANY MORE EXCITED. No, really I am. If anyone is afraid of change though it is definitely me. Changing my nail color I don’t mind, but if we are talking about jobs, routine, classes, career goals, even positive opportunities I rather just wave at them as they pass me by. Sadly, this is not an acceptable way to live one’s life because sometimes you need to change your tools to open your mind.

I would like to encourage those who are currently feeling the need for change but are too nervous to make the move already, to decide to begin again. I don’t necessarily believe that anyone can be or do anything they want to (like I will never become Beyoncé, I just won’t. Plus, there are copyright issues there). But I do think that anyone can change or start at any time and any place in their life. With the right connections (thank you Leadershape x100000000 for letting me meet the founder of College Times hence how I landed the internship), tools, time, and mindset it is possible for change to occur when needed.

So here it goes: take a step back, a deep breath, evaluate, then change.