<--- (Hiro Nakamura from HEROES)For “not to change, to stay on the path of slow death, is…hell. The difference is that the hell of deep change is the hero’s journey. The Journey puts us on a path of exhilaration, growth, and progress. The hero finds strength, power, vitality, and energy in change. In experiencing deep change, our selfishness dies." -Crosby (an actually useful textbook from Patterns of Leadership in Nursing!)
A young, immature, and naive 18 year old once took a leap of faith. She left her home and everything she had known to go on a journey. Where that journey would take her, she had no idea! The only thing she knew, was that this journey was important and vital to the call placed on her heart. This journey would require deep change. A metamorphosis! And it would not be easy. Who wants to live in Tulsa, OK with strange people? I mean it's in the middle of nowhere! Who wants to leave all the comforts of home and culture? Who wants to be molded, stretched, and lonely? But, Oh the places this journey took her on and Oh, the woman she has become!
Five years! Five years of deep change. And it was so worth it! I am now officially an ORU alumni!! It is my third day as a post-grad. So far it's still scary. I mean who wants to grow up? :-) Who wants to say goodbye to irreplaceable friends? Who wants to have a full-time job that you may not be happy with. Who wants bills and more bills? I've so far cleaned out everything in my room, moved things around in my room, bought paint for my room, have an interview on Thursday, studied for NCLEX, got to see my lovely friend Michael, shopped, spent time with my dad, and haven't had much sleep. All to keep myself busy (minus the spending time with my friend and my parents).
But I am reminded that I am on a different journey now. Yes it will be nothing like the one that ended three days ago, but it will be good. I know it will! This journey will continue to change me. I will discover new things about myself, God, love, and life! The sky is my limit!! That is exciting!!!! That is what makes the hero's journey exhilarating. Knowing that in a few years I could end up anywhere; home, back to China, married, a mother, a nurse practitioner, a student again!! What an adventure I am on!!
But this journey will require once again, deep change. And like I experienced in the last 5 years, it will not be easy. The beginning is always hard. But I know someone who is always with me, guiding me, and loving me.
In Him, I put my trust.
Love,
Jovy
