For those of you who missed part one, you can check it out here. This is part two. Part two of my journey. Part two of me writing about my why. The how of how I started doing photography, but most of all the how of who I am. The things I have learned and my thoughts. This post is more of a reflection, a life lesson and a reminder to myself and maybe even to you. But from writing part one, this is what followed. So enjoy. Here is a little bit of me. :)

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Looking back now, I was young. Flying through airports without my parents… or anyone I knew… at fourteen/fifteen… it was crazy. It was different. It was scary at times, and challenging, and a huge learning experience– a good one. I loved every minute of it. I grew and learned more about myself and the world around me. But more importantly for me, I was given the opportunity to be independent. A lesson and life experience unobtainable in our country filled with blessings. There are no amount of words that can start to explain the poverty; the heartache or burning in my fifteen year old heart to change it. To change the way it was. To change the way we lived… and to take it all away for them. It was extremely hard to process on my own when I got back. Not going to lie. But it was a reality check and life lesson I would never forget.

The point of this post is not to tell you about the poverty or culture shock I experienced. The point of this post is to remember to jump. Far too often I find myself turning down opportunities because … (fill in the excuse here) … I was fourteen when I wanted to go. You know how many obstacles could have stopped me? How many reasons I could have found to not go? All the opinions and what ifs that my parents could have listened to?  But, they didn’t. I didn’t.

My mission for 2013 is to live. To completely immerse myself in complete obedience. To serve, and love, and travel. To experience life. But most of all– to live it. So, here is a reminder to myself. Maybe a reminder or a push for you too.  So GO. Jump. Now is the time. There will always be something. So… dear me… Please live.

 Stay tuned for part three!