Finding Opportunity

There's a truth that I've discovered time and time again in my life. In some ways, perhaps, I was bound to discover it because it is a natural part of my personality. Nonetheless, its truth holds for every person. Let me tell you a story...a story from my life.



One of the first times I remember discovering this truth was as a sophomore in high school. Like every person that age, I was fascinated by what I would do with my life when I "grew up." I could be whatever I wanted, and I had no idea what that would be. One evening I happened to go to a community health session where a dietitian spoke. Before that evening, I had never even heard of a dietitian; but by the time I left I had decided that is what I would do with my life.

I haven't looked back since. 

Fast forward a couple years. I found a couple colleges that offered dietetics and applied. In April of my senior year, I decided I would go to Purdue University based mainly on the fact that they offered the largest scholarship. Growing up in a very strong IU (Indiana University) home, the choice was perhaps a bit more surprising.

It was the best four years of my life. (And yes, I am 100% converted boilermaker)

After completing your bachelor's degree, an internship is necessary to become a dietitian. Internships are extremely competitive to get into with less than a 50% acceptance rate. I spent a few days looking at internships and chose 3 to apply to. The week before submitting my applications, I noticed an internship in Saint Louis that offered a combined internship and master's in one year and added it to the list on a whim.

I was accepted to Saint Louis University, and I can honestly say it's been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. 

One could argue that I'm too much of a perceiving type (Myers-Briggs). It is true that I prefer to go with the flow. Sometimes I wonder why I spend money on planners, because it seems like they always get forgotten. There's nothing wrong with planning ahead, but I just don't see the need to worry about the future, when I know I have a God who will work it all out for good. As long as I'm listening to His voice, He'll bring me to the right place at the right time.

He has never failed me. 

Perhaps the thing that I enjoy the most is waking up each day and just being available. I don't have any preconceived ideas about what my future will hold. I don't have any personal agendas to accomplish. God can do whatever He wants through me. Living life like this is filled with excitement and opportunities. Living life like this is hard. It is not knowing what tomorrow will look like, but choosing to be content in whatever it may bring.

But I think that it is the best life. 

One of the most important things I've learned over the last few years is that you can make the best of any situation. Every day you have a choice. You can wake up and complain that this exam is too hard or your boss is requiring too much. Or you can wake up and marvel at all the wonderful things you are learning and be grateful for the life experience your job is providing you.

Which do you see - the good or the bad? 

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." -Winston Churchill