Change IS okay

Hi, It's me! This picture was taken during my senior photoshoot, before I knew what my life held. I had maroon on before I even knew I was an aggie...Gig 'Em!!

I grew up in a small town in East Texas, known as Van, with a population of 2,704 and a sonic is the only fast food restaurant within a 20 mile radius. Let me put this into perspective for you, I couldn't go to our local grocery store without seeing at least 5 people I knew. I was the stereotypical small town girl, my dad was the high school athletic trainer and taught a blowoff physical education class, and I had played sports since the time I could walk...literally. When your dad spends 90% of his time around athletes, It was almost automatically installed into my life. I was a four year varsity started for both basketball and track. I spent my summers at basketball tournaments and track meets, preparing myself for season. Any off period I had throughout my school day, I was in the gym getting in reps so that I was prepared for game day. I spent countless days of my time working to be the best that I could be, because sports were my life. Since I can remember, my plan was to get an athletic scholarship but God had a different plan for me.

If you're ever wandering whats going through a senior in high schools head, you're about to find out. A roller coaster of emotions, so much excitement yet so much sorrow. You know your life is about to change drastically, and you feel so confused. With the snap of a finger, you're off by yourself, learning to live life on your own. You don't have your mom waking you up every morning, cooking your meals, or taking you to the doctor when you're sick. It's grow up time, and if you don't grow up on your own, life will chew you up and swallow you. Along with learning to go off on your own, you are also leaving your childhood friends, that you spent everyday with for the last 12 years. Everything you once knew is all changing, and at the time you aren't sure if you're making the right decision, because every decision running through your head could go so terribly wrong. Yes, I'm a teenage girl, emotions run high, but can you imagine what it's like when you're trying to make a life changing decision and you have no idea what the future holds? If you really think about it, you're one decision away from an entire different lifestyle. This is what was running through my 18 year old brain.

I was in the top 10% of my class, so I had automatic acceptance into all Texas Universities. I had a few athletic scholarships, and you would think my decision would be easy right? I mean, that's all I ever wanted to do, play sports at the collegiate level. Nope! That's too easy. To be completely honest, I was burnt out. I knew I couldn't give sports all my effort anymore and I also knew, even though I wanted to deny it, that it was time to hang it up and finally focus on myself. Trust me, it's way easier said than done, I tried to convince myself that playing sports was the right decision because I was afraid of life without them. I prayed and prayed, and prayed some more, and I knew what God was telling me to do. With that being said, I applied to Texas A&M, and got accepted into the Mays Business Program.

I made the right decision. What a relief, a million decisions running through my head, and I made the right one. I didn't make the right decision out of luck, or because I somehow just picked what felt right. All those tiny decisions I stressed about and made my self sick over would've been the 'right decision.' Why? Because life works out, you grow wise and you adapt. You learn through experience, and you learn well. That worrisome, small town athlete, is now thriving in a top tier business school. Oh how my life has changed, but only for the better. I've made lifelong friendships, and learned how to take care of myself, physically and emotionally. My work ethic from sports carried over to my work ethic in academics. My new, and different life is a great one and I wouldn't change it for the world.

If I had any advice for a high school student, or even someone who is put in a position to make a life changing decision, it would be to take a deep breath and realize that out of the one million outcomes, the choice you make will workout one way or another. Don't sweat the small stuff. You are capable of anything life throws at you, whether that be a decision or an adaptation, and you will be an overcomer. You're one decision away from a different life, and that is okay.

A few of those life long relationships I told you about