Lately I have realized that I finally think I have a great
grasp on what the Universe is trying to teach me right now: patience.
Patience in my personal, professional, and pageant life. Now
ask my mother about me + patience and she is likely to say something similar to
this….
“Natalie O’fallon wanted braces before she needed them, a
car well before she had her license, and a college degree well before she began
applying.” Hence, patience is not one of my particular virtues (I like to think
buying shoes, eating, and teaching science may be my virtues of choice.) This
has only become more pronounced lately as I feel myself getting frustrated by
my “floundering” post-grad life.
As I have said before in my blog, I had very firm goals that
I was hoping to accomplish by 23. As that age creeps closer and closer, I still
can’t help but feel that sense of stress from having not accomplished that
which I said I would. No full time teaching job, no graduate degree, no pageant
title and no kitten? WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE? Just kidding….sort of. But
in reality, I know that now, more than ever before, I’m being taught patience
because there are other goals I need to accomplish in the mean time (obviously
making homemade laundry detergent today is more important than a career, psh!)
No full time teaching
job? No problem. I keep following my heart and knowing I will be placed in
the right school, at the right time. AND I apply to positions for next year so
I know I’m doing my part!
No graduate degree?
Somehow my heart doesn’t totally break for this one. I start at GVSU in the
fall, assuming I’m still in the Mitten. This brings me to my next point…
No pageant title?
I have much to say for this one. I could not be more proud, or more blessed,
than I have been this year competing. The growth, the love, the opportunities,
the best friends, and the scholarship funds for graduate school, what is there
not to be thankful for? My participation in MAO is about so much more than a
title, and I know there are so very many women who agree. Love all my girls.
Me amongst celebs (Miss Tip of the Mitt, Miss Capital City, and Miss Greater Grand Rapids)
No kitten? Win
some, lose some. Tamale the Tuxedo Cat will come soon enough… (Whenever my will
power is particularly low or I’m feeling sassy…)
So what is the point in all of this? The point is
that sometimes, things are not going the way we planned, and we feel like we’re
just in one VERY BIG waiting game, a chess match with life where each corner you
turn results in check-mate. And there are usually two options, 1. Keep waiting
grumpily, or 2. Keep waiting happily and live your life in the meantime. I vote
you choose Option 2 as I have, as I find it involves a lot less pity chocolate
eating and a lot more victory brownie eating.
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