Maybe it's just my personality, but as soon as I got comfortable in the routine of freshman year, I already wondered what my next years of college would hold. Having a best friend (and BIG) who is a year older than me allowed me to have the "upper hand" in terms of Honors Forum, but even with the advance notice, the decision of choosing a platform of service seems so...definite.
If you've talked to me in the past year or caught any of my past blog posts, you probably have come to realize that I have been a bit confused on where exactly my life is going (occupationally speaking.) I have always been the kind of person who thrives off of being in control, whether that meant that I had to campaign for an office or I just naturally assumed responsibility for unfinished tasks. Having this borderline obsessive-compulsive mindset, I have found myself in the midst of many service projects I loved...whether it meant tutoring children with learning disabilities at my high school (especially math!), teaching dance to 3, 4, and 5 year olds, participating in disaster relief after recent tornadoes, working a ticket table for a Habitat for Humanity function in my hometown...there are literally too many to name. However, I don't say this to "pat myself on the back," but rather to point out that I never actively searched for service projects...they found me.
Listening to Dr. Brewton speak about having a plan for service literally left my mind reeling. How could I make a difference? How CAN I make a difference? From the moment I even heard the word "platform," I immediately thought...Child Literacy. I have always been incredibly thankful and honestly a little amazed at how much I truly LOVE school. I have always preferred a book over a ball, and I would absolutely love sharing that with others. Just like I mentioned how the service projects "found me" over the course of my life, I feel like that's happening all over again. With the combination of volunteering with Success by Six through United Way and mentoring the child of one of my favorite professors, I truly feel like I could make a difference...and perhaps this is superficial for me to say, but I am excited it may be a difference I can SEE..or feel.
So, maybe this isn't my final plan for service. Maybe it will change every few weeks (like my major! or my dream occupation!) The final purpose of this post will be to convince myself that it is okay to change my mind so I can adapt and grow.
I, Carrie Elizabeth Bailey, solemnly swear to keep smiling, breathing, and functioning properly if my life does not go precisely according to my detailed, almost perfect plan.
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