There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow!

I haven’t always been the most positive person in the world, but three years of college has changed my perspective on life. I’ve learned that it’s ok to make mistakes in life, as long as you pick yourself back up and learn from those mistakes. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true! Ever since intermediate school, I have spent most of my energy being afraid of people and worrying about what they think of me. Replaying every single interaction I had, thinking about all the friendships I’ve damaged along the way etc.

But I learned that no matter how many times I think about what I could’ve done differently, I can’t change it because it’s all in the past. If I had known about this sooner, high school would’ve turned out A LOT better for me. But I can’t go back, it’s done! Luckily, through my love for music and Disney, I was able to break away from my fears and have something to look forward to. I have my lovely Disney Ohana Club that I treasure so much, my new club called Public Relations Student Society of America, I have my job, where I have made lovely new friends as well, and my new drive to keep going in life.

How I gained this new perspective in life?!?!? It’s kind of silly, but this is all because of my love for the British hard rock band Def Leppard haha!! After I heard about Rick Allen’s story about how he didn’t let the amputation of his left arm stop him from being the drummer of the group and he found the strength to continue on in life, I started to look at myself differently. The thing that really stood out to me is while Rick was relearning how to play drums on his new electronic kit, he said that the thing that progressed him further was that he had to stop comparing himself to how he was before and he had to stop comparing himself to others.

That hit me hard because throughout my whole life, I have been comparing myself to everyone I come in contact with. However, after hearing what Rick went through and how he didn’t let his disability stop him, I thought to myself, “Why should I let my disability stop me?” I decided to give it a try and I found out that life is SO MUCH EASIER not having to worry about what people think of you. I can walk around campus in peace without worrying about whether or not people are looking at me funny or if my outfit is as cool as the other college kids’ outfits.

I feel awful knowing that it’s taking me this long to come terms with who I am and the fact that I can’t change the past, but it’s better late than never right?!?!?! Now, everyday I wake up, I have something to look forward to and I look at each day as a fresh start to improve what I did the previous day. So I encourage you all to have something to look forward to and “make each day count!”

See ya real soon!

Lana