Learning to Embrace. Daring to Dream.

Today is officially the last day I will be 24. I've had an incredible 24 years and would love to relive some of those, but I can't. It's weird to think back to when I was 18 and the dreams that I had for myself. I thought I would be in Hollywood right now working on my next blockbuster film, traveling to Africa to work with people in need, dating Ryan Gosling...hey, a girl can dream. I think that life would have been great, but it's definitely not what I want anymore. At least not all of it. I am astounded at how God has used my journey through college and these past couple of years to teach me about myself and allow me to grow into who I am today. One of my favorite artists, Brandon Heath, has a song "I'm not who I was." That describes me from 18 to 24. 

Side Note: At 24 I would prefer to date Brandon Heath.

Praise the Lord I'm not who I was when I was 18 anymore. I was totally the obnoxious high school girl who had the mentality that if I was the loudest girl in the room the guy I liked would totally notice me. Um, yeah, notice and walk away. Thankfully, I have overcome that. 

As I approach 25 I want to go in with no reservations. Turn my dreams into a reality. There is a great line in The Shack, "In a world full of talkers, Mack is a thinker and a doer." I strive to be a doer even when doing scares me, which sometimes it does. 

Examples: 

*I'm terrified of sharks, but have always wanted to surf. I blame my mother for this fear. Before I moved to California for a semester she watched Shark Week on Discovery until I left. Brutal. However, last year I went surfing with my friend Jaci in Punta Mita, Mexico and loved it. Thank you Antonio. Quite possible the most attractive Mexican man I have ever seen, and we spent two hours together in the ocean...bonus. 

*I've wanted to run a marathon since high school. In a month I will. P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll in Phoenix here I come!

*Since high school I have dreamed of going to Africa and backpacking through Europe. Earlier this week I bought a multi-destination plane ticket to Johannesburg, Africa and Geneva, Switzerland. 

I'm making my dreams a reality. Learning to do. 

25 is my year of do, action, adventure, continuing the journey I've begun. I think I'll feel a bit wiser tomorrow when I roll out of bed. I welcome what 25 has to bring. It's my choice to either dread another year or to embrace what will come. I've always been a cup half full kinda girl so I opt to embrace. Plus, there are many perks to 25.

*I can rent a car without any additional fees. Boo-ya!

*My insurance will go down. Love it!

*I can be a taxi-driver...which I'm seriously considering. I think it could be fun and the thought of it makes me giggle. Plus I heard that the pay is really good.

I challenge you all to learn to embrace where you're at in life. There's no point dreading what you can't change. Be thankful for what you have. And dare to dream. Become a doer. 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

~ Mark Twain