On Finding the Way to My Dreams

This is the first time in my life, that's right — the first time — that I've ever really felt like I can do whatever the heck I want. And not just whatever the heck I want, but to do what I feel I was put here to do. To do the things I'm truly passionate about. To take the time to BE me, really be me.

I know it must sound crazy. But I was the type of person who always felt restricted. Whether it was by my parents or my school or a particular timeline, I always felt like things outside of my own agenda needed to happen first. Now, don't get me wrong. I know that things are never completely going to happen according to our own agenda. Life cannot be controlled. I have certainly learned that the hard way. However, this is the one time in my life where I can create the life I want.

I am constantly grateful for the chance that I had to move to San Diego — a dream of mine for nearly a decade, ever since the minute I first set foot in this city. I'm grateful for the timing of everything in my life. The good, the bad. Because it brought me here. It allowed me to quit my job, leave everything behind, and live my life here. And while it has been the most wonderful experience I could have asked for thus far, it sure hasn't been easy.

I moved to the other side of the country without a job, without family, and without any close friends. I'm crazy, right? Right. Although I did something similar when I moved to Utah back in 2010, this time I chose to do things differently. I decided there would be no settling. Absolutely none. Life is too short to settle for anything.

Moving to San Diego has symbolized something much greater than I think most people realize. This is the start of the best years of my life. The years where I have finally found myself — what my deepest passions are, what my greatest talents are, what my biggest dreams are, what makes me "me."




Finding the way to my dreams has been beautifully difficult. There are certain attributes that I have constantly been pulled to since a young age and dreams that I have never been able to let go of. Sharing my creativity with the world has been one of those dreams and I am currently working day and night on my jewelry business, After Sunset, in hopes of sharing what I love to do with many others. Working in the surf industry has been another one of those dreams since before I can even remember.

I have been praying constantly for the right opportunity that combines my natural gifts and talents with my passions to come along here in San Diego. For the right doors to be opened. For everything to come together. Several days ago, in the midst of working on jewelry things and rubbing my exasperated blue eyes, I found a position online for a surf shop here. It was an opportunity I've waited years for, and before I knew it, I was welcomed onto the team!

I will be coordinating the marketing & events for this surf brand and I am absolutely ecstatic about this opportunity. It is something I had only dreamt of for all this time.

But I can see it now. The Universe listens. And the doors are finally starting to open up — because I haven't settled this time, no matter what the cost. And I won't settle. This is me. This is the path I have chosen. These are my blue eyes that I see my world here in San Diego through. This is my heart that constantly beats for all things real and true. These are my dreams that find their way into my life when I'm ready to fight harder than I've ever fought before.

"Part of living your destiny and not your shadow career is being able to LIVE in and with uncertainty. It's about trusting The Universe to have your back. It's about realizing you have a gift and your job is to GIVE that gift to the world. It's about doing what's right rather than what's easy." — Mastin Kipp