My talent is something that you have probably read many times, but I promise I use it for the better. I can sing. I sang in choir throughout highschool and took voice lessons, but the thing that I do the most to practice my skills and impact others simultaneously is I sing in a worship band on stage at my church. I am very involved within my church community and I have been singing for 3 years. I serve within the youth ministries with the middle school and high school as well as with the large congregation. We have rehearsals throughout the week and before service. Additionally, I prepare the songs beforehand practicing with tracks in my house. I am constantly trying to learn new things. I want to know new harmonies and understand the music and technology behind our tracks. I try to comprehend the inner-workings of the actual service. I have worked in a lot of positions. I know that it is not just about singing. It is about connecting the constituents with God. That is something I can’t do on my own. I need a band and lights and sound. It is a team effort. We work together. Yes, I may have a talent for singing, but I practice my skills within the larger working Body of Christ.

1. I don’t 2. None 3. No obstacles I am elite

An important life lesson I have learned is to find joy in the little things. I discovered this lesson on a mission trip to San Raymundo, Guatemala after my freshman year of highschool. The people I encountered in this small, rural community may have been living in poverty; however, they were the most joyful people I have ever seen. For many, this may be a surprising assertion; although, through my experience, I can confidently say the gratitude and positivity radiating throughout this community is unmatched. In my short stay in San Raymundo, I witnessed a community-wide birthday celebration, which included people dancing and singing in the streets. The children who couldn’t afford school watched us build with awe and took any opportunity to help with wide grins on their faces. The families made us traditional food and brought us fresh fruit, a true sign of love because food is life in this community. At the end of our build, we handed some kids our used gloves and it was like Christmas morning. The families were laughing and talking constantly, loving one another. They were finding joy in the little things. This has made me stronger through my life because I know that the little things can be the ones that define your day. You can be the one to find joy. It is not about your situation, but about how you see it and what you do with it. I am a stronger person because I am a more joyous person. Joy brings us strength. I know I cannot live life meddling over the bad things that happen, rather I must think about the good. I have used the lesson everyday since then and will for the rest of my life. When I get to see my best friend in passing between classes or if they have teriyaki tofu in the dining hall, I let that define my day. If I catch the elevator to the fifth floor instead of having to take the stairs, if my phone battery lasts the whole day, or if I get an A on a test. It is the little mundane things that I choose to let define my day. I won’t let the small inconveniences of everyday life ruin my day, because, hey the people in San Raymundo persevere through a whole lot worse and they live joyous lives, so I can too. I am going to find joy in the little things. If my iced coffee tastes extra good, the sun is out, or my hair is just a little less frizzy. It really is the joy in the little things.

I have struggled with mental health throughout adolescence and into adulthood. It has interfered with my life, but I have had to overcome this adversity and alter my everyday life around my mental illness. I struggle with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. I have come to realize that sometimes when I am really struggling with my mental health, it is okay to put my goals on the back burner and just focus on the small everyday things that a lot of people do not have to worry about. If all of my energy is put into getting out of bed, showering, going to class, and eating for the day and I don’t do anything else, I think that is okay. I am doing the best I can. I have developed a new understanding of the world that doing everything is not sustainable and fostering a healthy lifestyle is more important than societal expectations. This past semester, I was really struggling with my anxiety and depression, while my eating disorder felt like it was strangling me. I was trying to please everyone, hanging out with friends and doing extracurriculars; all the while keeping up with my schoolwork. I was overwhelmed and I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore. I wasn’t eating because I felt like it gave me control or I thought that was some way to punish myself. I thought I was better off dead. I was spiraling. Then one day, I completely broke down and realized I couldn’t keep putting all of my energy into unnecessary things when I just needed to put my energy into surviving. I scheduled an appointment with mental health services to get put on antidepressants. I stopped talking to the majority of my friends because they were overwhelming me and stressing me out. I fostered relationships with a few good friends who cared for me and knew about my mental health issues and wanted to help. I started taking walks when I felt really down. I tried to make myself accountable for eating healthy food on a schedule, repeating the mantra, “Food is fuel. Eat better, not less.” I just realized that my goals should be about me and bettering myself, not pleasing others. I still struggle with mental health. I know there are going to be good and bad days, but I realize that if all I can do is get up and eat and that is my best, then that is okay. I am surrounding myself with people who care for me and want the best for me. My goals should not be my life, but my life is the goal.