The Calm Before the Storm

"To live a creative life, we must lose the fear of being wrong."

I am done. Done with finals, done with obligations, done with school. After 22 years of being a grade grubber and over achiever, I have to admit that that is a beautiful feeling. For an entire month until I move to Colorado, I have nothing to do but teach at Pure Barre, pack up my apartment, spend time with my friends, and watch Scandal from the comfort of my living room. However, in the midst of the crazy weather we've had the past few days, I can't help but think how this month is truly the calm before the storm.

Most of the time, huge life changes hit you out of left field. You feel totally caught off guard, and you're forced to be reactive to the situation in your response. But, this time,  I know that I'm in for a whirlwind. It hasn't truly hit me that I'm about to uproot the comfortable, beautiful life I have in Nashville to live across the country in an unfamiliar place for years. Yes, I'll be doing exactly what I love with a few people I love by my side, but I'd be lying if I tried to pretend that I wasn't taking a major leap of faith. At the end of the day, I can't even begin to fathom the changes that are about to happen to me and all of my friends who are also moving away and changing careers. The storm is brewing for all of us.

When you get the rare chance to anticipate the adventure before it arrives, I believe you should be proactive in preparing for the change, rather than reactive. For the next month, I have the opportunity to ask God every day to prepare me for the adventure at hand. I have time to practice trusting, to practice resting in the fact that I don't know what I don't know.

Life happens in the uncomfortable decisions, the moments that stretch you farther than you think you can go. As you're waiting for the storm to hit, prepare yourself to be unprepared. Start to loosen your grip on your need for control, and jump off the cliff. Whether you want it or not, life has the power to sweep you away. It's your choice whether you go with the wind or against it.