Live each day according to what you are chasing for in life

Alot of changes have been made the past few years of my life. I went from attending one high school then another, switched from an athlete to a pageant girl, and changed my attitude from lost to driven. I've made mistakes, had ups and downs, and have made some choices I regret, but I have not given up. When you want something in life, no matter how big or small of a dream it is, you cannot give up. To realize who you are and what you live each day for is not easy. Being a teen, obviously things are going to change. I wanted to be a master chef... I read books on different culinary experiences and everything I read sounded so artistic and interesting. When I started my hosting job I soon figured out the reality of the Chef life (sweaty, cursing men working long hours all night in one small kitchen). I quickly changed my mind on that one, although my passion for cooking was still there. It took many months of having no idea what to get into next, to soon find out what I want to pursue. Being in modeling and pageants, you are expected to look "fit". This being so I started to pass up the fast food for real, healthy, and whole foods. Luckily my love for cooking triggered a new passion for turning boring diet meals(like grilled chicken, salad, and fruit) into dishes that taste and look unhealthy for you, but actually are clean and healthy. Now I know that I want to be a nutritionist and help people learn how to take care of themselves with the right foods....but it took alot of mind changing to figure out a plan for myself. I think it is so important in life when you feel lost to just think about what you truely love to do...and do those things!!! To reach your goals you may have to give things up, including people who hold you back. I have heard the negative and positive remarks about what I choose to do. In the end the only people who will accept you for who you are, are your family members, and few friends. "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." - Oprah Winfrey Something else I have realized out while figuring out how to pursue my dreams is that there is ALWAYS competition. People may share the same dreams as you, and you must except that. But what has kept me from not giving up is that fact that I am who I am, and I am not competing with others, but myself. This is a great thing to think when it comes to school, sports, pageants, and your job because you can feel so low when someone else gets the A+, the starting position, the crown, or the promotion, even though you may be just as qualified for whatever you are competing for. Everything in life happens for a reason, and only god knows what is meant for every individual. I know I have a special purpose, along with every other person. I choose to live based on what I love and what my dreams are, but I keep in the back of my head that some opportunites are meant for others, and even if I am not given the chance I wanted, to never stop pursuing what I love to do. I hope the people who read this post will agree with some of my thoughts and not give up on their dreams! -Ivy