Liz was my guardian at Central Missouri. She entered my life at a moment when I was heading to a very dark and lonely place. She helped me save myself.
One day during session she gave me a challenge. The "25-day challenge." This challenge consisted of having an individual share one experience or thing about themselves per day. The challenge lasted 25 days so there were 25 experiences/things. These things or experiences did not have to be personal, interesting, or even entertaining. The main objective was to learn to share myself with others. I was not thrilled about this challenge but I trusted Liz, she had never misled me before.
I decided that I would send a postcard every day for 25 days to two friends with one or two lines sharing a piece of me.
25 days and 25 experiences/things shared, here they are:
Day 1
25. If my life were a musical it would play Queen. I would start and end my days with "Under Pressure."
Day 2
24. I secretly always wanted to be part of the SNL cast.
Day 3
23. I refuse to believe the passing of my mentor, at times I desperately wished he would call me or write to me to guide me.
Day 4
22. Somewhere in between the social butterfly and grumpy witch, there is a girl, a very misunderstood individual that loves to love.
Day 5
21. I secretly want the husband and kids but at the same time I want to make an impact in the world. I am starting to believe I have to pick one.
Day 6
20. When I was 17, I saw my father slap my mother and in the moment I told myself: 1. that I no longer had a father and 2. that my mother was the bravest person I knew.
Day 7
19. I hate when people text the word "okay" or "ok" or "K". If that is all you have to say then do not text me!
Day 8
18. I swore that I would never work with college students. Oops!
Day 9
17. I never wanted to go to college. I was happy with giving in to the culture of poverty. My plans for after high school were to be a waitress.
Day 10
16. I did not learn to drive until I was 23.
Day 11
15. "Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls was the first English song I learned; it was my favorite then and it still is now.
Day 12
14. I love to color code my planner, mainly because it looks pretty.
Day 13
13. I do not fear dying. I fear realizing at my deathbed that I did not live life to the fullest.
Day 14
12. My logic and heart constantly battle when it comes to decision making. Logic has cost me many opportunities that I will never have again. Lately, my heart has been winning more battle and even though some of those victories have led to heartbreak, I have no regrets.
Day 15
11. I sometimes wonder if I will be able to see myself through eyes of others.
Day 16
10. I believe that there is no such thing as too much love. To love is to live! The best way for me to show love to those around me is by telling them that I appreciate them and that I love them.
Day 17
9. I wish I was an introvert; a little quiet, a little selfish, and a little normal.
Day 18
8. I am a revolutionary soul.
Day 19
7. I need to learn that everyone has different expectations than mine. I need to give everyone a chance.
Day 20
6. I do not hate my father. I just don't want him in my life.
Day 21
5. I refuse to adopt a sexual orientation label. When people ask me if I am straight, all I say is that I love to love.
Day 22
4. I know that there is certain things that I need to learn but I refuse to learn these lessons since I fear how they will change me.
Day 23
3. The day I let others read my journal will be the day that I am free.
Day 24
2. When I was younger, I thought I was adopted. No lie!
Day 25
1. I force myself to forget that whatever family I once had is now nonexistent.
