A Whole New World Awaits

Today is May 13, 2016. Today I graduate from The University of Georgia. It's such a surreal feeling. The past four years of college have flown by. Graduating means that I get asked the infamous question, "So what are your plans for after college". That's a question that I have come to hate over the past couple of months. It's a constant reminder that I am not where I thought I would be in life. I thought that I would have everything together by the time I graduated college. I thought of college graduation as a magical event, where I would be transformed into adulthood & know my life's purpose. However, that hasn't been the case. 

So, here I am. The day of my college graduation. I still have not made a final decision on my next move. However, one thing is certain, I am taking time off before grad school because 1) I'm exhausted from undergrad & 2) I'm not quite sure what direction I want to go in. 

Even though I may feel a little disappointed in myself, one thing that keeps me going is the fact that A Whole New World Awaits. If you're familiar with the movie Aladdin, you'll know the theme  song is A Whole New World. Princess Jasmine & Aladdin sing that song together during the movie, commemorating all the wonderful things in store for them. Many of you are feeling how I am feeling in regards to your life. Maybe you aren't graduating college, but you're looking at where you are & not quite satisfied. You may have had dreams and goals, & now you're struggling to stay afloat. Don't get discouraged. Don't get so focused on the destination that you miss the scenic view among the way. Enjoy life wherever it is taking you. 

The scripture that aligns with "A Whole New World Awaits" is Job 8:7. "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be." God has so much in store for me and wants to bless me abundantly. I have realized that college graduation isn't the end of it all. I don't have to make a decision right away. I still have time. Life outside of college will be exciting, adventurous, and maybe a little scary but it's a new chapter in which I am very much anticipating. So for those who are curious about my plans after graduation... I will be enjoying life because A Whole New World Awaits. 👑

Why I Gave It All Away

    There is exactly one month and one day  until I graduate from The University of Georgia . I am in awe of how time has flown by the past four years. My time at UGA was filled with achievements, broken dreams, and personal growth.On the outside looking in, it may seem as if I have it all. I'm smart, pretty, liked by most. However, one thing people don't see is the hurt and pain that I've experienced over the past year. Many would never guess that I experienced depression so deep that I once slept 12 hours in one day. Many don't know that I barely remember my 21st birthday. Not because I was so drunk, but because I felt so much emotional pain and was so deep in depression that I blocked out everything going on around me. The doctors tried to label me as _______, but I refused to accept that diagnosis.

       Then two weeks after my birthday, I had surgery on both of my legs. I was in excruciating pain for two weeks after that. My body was rejecting my pain medicine. I had to switch prescriptions several times, but no dosages would help my physical pain. Nothing eased the emotional pain either. However, I appeared to be handling it well becasuse I appeared happy. But inside I was breaking, so I decided to give it ALL away.1 Peter 5:7 , "Cast ALL your anxiety on Him (God) because He cares for you."

        So I gave Him all my worry, pain, doubts and frustrations. I realized that it was too much for me to handle alone. I had become bitter, hardened and unstable because of the many things going on in my life. The depression was just the manifestation of all my stress and anxiety.  But I had enough. So I gave it all away... to Jesus. Now I can say that the sum of what I have gained is greater than everything that I gave away. 2016 has been one of the best years of my life. I have a great support system and  a wonderful boyfriend. I am graduating Cum Laude. I have several job opportunities lined up for after graduation. I am happier, calmer and more confident. I gave it all away and I gained so much more.

     If you're weighed down by stress, pain, frustration or any negative emotion, I challenge you to not let it overwhelm you. Find an outlet, whether it be religion, a hobby or a sport. Don't keep those negative things in your life, be like me, GIVE IT ALL AWAY. 

.:JRSN:.