In light of the 10-year anniversary of September 11th, I've thought a lot, maybe even more than I should have, about the past decade. 10 years... the passage of the time span feels very short, but then I think about it, and I realize how much has happened in those years.
In September 2001, I was a junior in high school in Tennessee. I had been driving for about three months, and life seemed pretty carefree. Of course, there was the drama and tumult associated with high school, which seemed huge at that time, but, in comparison to the issues of now, seems pretty insignificant. I was dancing, happy, and had no clue where my path might lead--I was thinking that I would most likely head to law school to be an attorney.
By Spring 2003, I had received the Park Scholarship, which led me to Raleigh, NC and North Carolina State University. Eight years later, I'm now serving on the Regional Selection Committee for the Park Scholarships. Isn't it funny how things work? College was a transitional time for me. I moved everything and knew very few people when I stepped foot onto the Brickyard in August of 2003. I remember college so vividly--the first year was challenging as I learned to adapt to my new city and surroundings. At times, I questioned if NC State was the right place for me. In the end, it was-- I met a lot of wonderful people, had some really eye-opening life experiences, explored a lot of possibilities, did some truly meaningful community service work, and thought (a lot) about what I would do post-college.
During my last semester of college, I switched my mindset from future attorney to future dance studio owner (which was my ultimate childhood dream). I didn't know when my goal would come to fruition, but in all honestly, it happened much faster than I ever imagined. By January 2009, Willis and I were married and planning on opening a studio in June 2009. The delve into entrepreneurship was daunting but exciting. We opened the doors that June, and the past 2 years and 3 months feel like a quick whirlwind. My dreams literally came true, but in saying that, I have to reference a quote from the musical Wicked.
"Cause getting your dreams
It's strange, but it seems
A little - well - complicated
There's a kind of a sort of : cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed"--Wicked
And, as I lightly and briefly reflect on the past decade, I have, obviously, left out many details. But, the details and the people--the love and the loss--the praise and the criticism--the smiles and the tears--has had an equally significant impact as any other event throughout the time span (and maybe, one day, I'll explore those stories individually or in a book). It molds you and shapes you into you who become as a person. As I've thought through the years, I wouldn't change one moment of the past ten years. Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe that each event, person, and action has had its purpose in the grand scheme.
Time is the wisest counsellor of all. ~Pericles
Here's to entering another equally accomplished decade... What will you do between 2011-2021?
Chasta
