“You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go.” -T.S. Eliot

Some days, I just can't help but get an overbearing feeling of joy. 

Not a giddy, excited type of joyfulness, but a great feeling of thanks to God for his many blessings.

My life has taken such wonderful turns over the past year, and I know it's because I have such an amazing man upstairs looking over me and guiding my every step through life.

Back in the Spring of 2009, I got to be very confused with the direction in which my life was going.

Brandon and I were taking a break at the time, but despite that, I was happy in most all other aspects.

I was living in Myrtle Beach with my very best friends. 

My brother was living there and we were extremely close and saw each other most every day.

I was living 20 miles from my grandparents, so I was able to see them and get a home cooked meal often.

I was on the Dean's List, in a sorority, and had a big group of friends to spend time with every day.

But even though I was enjoying myself at that time, I constantly got the feeling that something was missing from my life (aside from Brandon!). 

I would pray about it often & for some reason, I felt compelled to move to Charleston.

I had a few friends from high school in Charleston, but that was about it.

I thought about making the move all throughout the Spring of '09, and just had the feeling that it was the right decision. 

I knew from the very moment I moved into my apartment in Charleston that I had made the right decision. 

By the way, Brandon and I ended our little break at the end of the summer. So at this point, we were back together. He was beginning his last year at Clemson.

Even though I didn't know hardly anyone at the College of Charleston, I felt a sense of comfort & belonging. 

(is this cheesy? oh well.)

My classes were a lot tougher than I had ever experienced at Coastal Carolina University & I was told that I needed an extra semester than expected to graduate.

But I've worked hard taking extra credits each semester, was more challenged academically and emotionally than ever before, kept my scholarship, & will, in fact, graduate when I am supposed to. 

The main reason that I feel Charleston was a good move for me is because I was taken out of my comfort zone.  

That taught me a lot about myself.

I've matured, grown closer to God, and truly feel that I have a good grasp on life.

...and now Brandon lives in Charleston.

A handful of our friends from high school live here as well, and I'm so happy that we've all remained so close.

& let's get real, Charleston is one of the most beautiful places in the world! 

Well, I haven't seen much of the rest of the world, but you understand ;)

People still ask me why I moved away from Myrtle Beach and Coastal. 

To this day, I don't have a good reason because I was completely happy there.

I think God led me to Charleston because I needed to try something new ...to take a chance and see where it would lead me.

Sometimes you just have to take a risk ...whether it's leaving all of your friends to move to Charleston, or starting a new business, or putting your guard down in a new relationship.  That's how we learn about ourselves and gain knowledge from experiences.

I thank God every day for the courage and understanding he has instilled within me.

Prayer does amazing things, my friends!

“ You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.” -Paulo Coelho

 

“ The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. 

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” -Leo F. Buscaglia

Well, there's my ramblings for today.

 xo.

MMS