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Recently, I found myself walking down a familiar lane in California filled with people, palm trees, and familiar shops on every corner. I even got to see the ocean again and enjoy the view with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and birds singing high above the pier. It was a sight I had not seen in a long time. It was this moment I realized how much I had missed this place, and what a huge part of my life it was even though I had only lived there a short time. I kept thinking about nine years before, the moment my life really took off.

Nine years ago, I was living in a nice apartment in Tennessee. I had a good job and good friends who lived close who I loved, and still love this day. The odd thing was, I remember feeling how dull my life seemed like something was missing. I was constantly dreaming and thinking of being part of the world rather than only living in it. “Isn’t there something else?” I would think. I didn’t know it then, but I knew there had to be more for me. I felt I was meant to see other places and learn new things, I just didn’t know where to start and felt so afraid to leave my comfort zone. Luckily, an amazing friend of mine offered me a place to stay in CA as I got on my feet to offer me a new start. Within a week, I sold what I could and packed what I couldn’t and drove out to California. I was a young girl of 24 with no idea what was in store for me, what I was going to experience, or where my life would lead me. That day, I remember feeling alive for the first time in a long while. I knew I was where I was meant to be. I was heartbroken to leave my friends and family and knew I would miss them dearly. I never could figure out how to explain this was something I had to do. I had to try. Otherwise, what’s the point of just existing?

Since I made that choice, my life took off faster and with more opportunities and speed than I ever could have anticipated. I met other people, took a fun job in Anaheim, which led to other fun jobs too. I met the man who has become my best friend and so much more as we traveled across the states together. I ended up moving from state-to-state for a while and making friends with people from all over the world. I had many wonderful times, and many low times full of sorrow, but overall, I had a complete, colossal experience I wouldn’t take back for the world. So, why do I bring this up?

While I was in California, I was there to help someone close an old chapter to start a new chapter in their life. I admit I felt a little distracted with my excitement of being out of the cold, snowy condition of the Rockies and into the sunshine by the Pacific coast, but I still tried to offer words of encouragement as they ventured out in this new and exciting adventure. I am not sure if I succeeded in my encouragement, but I hope so. I kept thinking what a wonderful experience and exciting adventure they were about to embark on, yet I couldn’t help but reflect on my own. I know the fear that comes with a big change in a life. Sometimes leaving family and friends is one of the hardest things a person does. However, I honestly feel, if you feel your life awaits you elsewhere, or if you see an opening for a new chapter, why not take your chance and see where it leads? Fear of failure is a common thing to hold people back. But, if we don’t ever fail and learn to rise up, how did we ever learn to walk? One thing I have learned is being afraid is a good thing. It shows you care about your life as you are now, and it helps you be safe as you venture forward. Moving past that fear, is a greater thing, because, despite the fear of making the worst mistake of your life and living in that fear, you could end up making the best decision of your life and experiencing one amazing ride!

Change can always be frightening. I remember there were times in my journey I was scared and didn’t know what would happen or what I should do. There were also times I felt so deeply alone crying hard and deep into the night, despite the company I had, but in the end, it has become the greatest experience of my life to this day. I think the most important things I have learned through my adventures are not about the others around me or the places I have been, but about myself. My adventures changed me because of the things I learned or experienced. I have learned things I am capable of and found new hobbies and things to enjoy. I have learned I can handle more than I thought I could of life’s bumpy roads and challenges. I have also learned to trust in myself and in the love of family and friends. All these lessons I may have never learned had I never ventured out on my own nine years ago.

Coming face-to-face with yourself in your fearful or darkest moments is not easy, but being able to come out the other end better and brighter than before is the whole point, isn’t it? I am not saying I have succeeded in this, in fact, if anything I feel I have a long way to go yet, with so much more to learn and experience. What I am saying is as fearful change can be, it can also be rewarding in more ways than we are able to see or understand until we are through the experience and looking back down our memory lane. I know had a lot of help along the way. I had friends, family, I had my boyfriend, I had my boyfriend’s wonderful family whom I have grown to love and regard as my own, yet I would never have met most of them if I never taken that first step.

My Aunt once told me life is like a patchwork quilt always growing and changing. New patches with new chapters, with the older chapters as colorful memories. She would also say, life is one big self-improvement project. So, how can I offer self-improvement if I am unwilling to have the courage to accept that I need to improve or change myself? Change, I have learned in my labyrinth is the first step to improvement. I didn’t think of my adventures at the time nine years ago as a self-improvement project. I simply thought of it as a new start and a new life. Now, I realized the entire time, I was learning new things and becoming a new person. Hopefully, a better person. As for that, it’s still a major work in progress.

Elanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” This is something I have come to understand. Even still, I have fears about leaving my comfort zone. I love my bubble or ‘corner of the world’ I like to call it, and feel a sense of ‘what’s going to happen now’ every time I venture out. However, this past weekend, I went to help someone else, who, in reality, ended up helping me, and they may not even know it. I was reminded of how amazing change can be and how rewarding it can be to step out of your comfort zone and seize the opportunity of life. It was something I had forgotten and hope to do better about remembering in the future.

I smile as I look back now at that frightened girl nine years ago venturing out on her own. I was full of so many questions, fears, and a lot of excitement, but it was so long ago I had almost forgotten her. Now, it makes me wonder what opportunities are in our lives we have passed on because of fear? What would our life be like if we always remembered to take that step, look fear in the eye and push through? What amazing experiences await us now in the future? I hope when the next opportunity arises, I will remember my courage to take that step and see where life takes me too next. What about you?