Let me introduce you to my WHY

Why you do something is just as important as HOW or WHAT you do. That’s always been my belief. It’s the fuel that goes behind everything. The thing that gets you out of bed on those terribly cold winter mornings and the reason for all those late nights and jam-packed schedules. In my own experience, it’s been the thing that single-handedly picked me up when I got knocked down, made me come back for more when I fell short, and had me putting on a smile when I felt disappointed, but it drove a fire inside of me to “try one more time.”

What’s my WHY currently? I’m not done yet. That’s it. I’m simply not done.

Everyone has their reason for what they do, whether it be their family, a promotion they're going for, the trip they’ve been dying to go on or that raise they have been chasing. Maybe it’s to always be better, improving your health and fitness, etc. and mine is so simple yet so complicated. I’m not done making a difference in the world.

The greatest growth I’ve ever seen in myself are those moments I look back on and think, man, I really went through some hard times, and in those moments, I thought it was the worst thing ever; but looking back on it, it fueled me and taught me so many valuable life lessons that I’m grateful for! Those life experiences in the times I've felt the most pressure and put myself out on the line were the times I've felt that I've made the biggest impact or made the biggest strides. In fact, now they fuel me to not be afraid of a challenge or getting uncomfortable because I know I’ve been through situations like this before. I get it, it’s so much easier said than done but if you’re reading this, you can go through the same self-growth I go through each time I get a little uncomfy or out of my element.

My goal is to continue to make an impact in my community and state through both my profession, my business, and my journey leading up to Miss Kansas USA and beyond.

Growing up, my mom always taught me to clean up after myself. Wherever I was going, whether it was to a family member's home or friends, it was instilled in me that you always want to leave a place better than you found it. It was as simple as that. Maybe it meant cleaning up after myself, helping with things around the house or just being a kind person and being polite and using manners. The bigger picture of what I’ve taken away, though, is that whether you're connecting with people close to you or a random business or person in the coffee shop, isn’t that what we would always be doing - leaving a space better than we find it?

I want a colorful life. I want a life that is full of opportunities and vision and variety! I want to do all the things and leave my mark on this beautiful world. If you read my first blog, you know I’m very competitive and I have a huge drive and passion for things near and dear to my heart. Throughout my time representing and working with the state of Kansas, I’ve not only learned more about myself, but I’ve learned exactly what I bring to the table, and I’m confident that when I leave a room, everyone will be left knowing their worth. That’s invigorating! That’s purpose! That’s mission! I know I can transform the places I’m in and the people I’m with! It still gets me choked up to think that one person can do all that; the even better news is that you can, too. I hope you believe that, and I hope you know you are built for the hard things, the uncomfortable things, and that you have purpose.

Have you ever thought about your legacy? Does it intimidate you like it does to me? Man, that’s a big scary word, isn’t it? In the same token, I feel like legacy goes hand-in-hand with your why; for me, I want to be impactful and create a ripple effect on the way people interact with their communities or support programs – again, I want to be colorful! That is my legacy, but also my why.

Your why doesn’t have to be the same in a year’s time, or even 6 weeks from now – it’s constantly changing because of our experiences and opportunities. To be truthful, I just want to get out of bed every single day and show up as the best version of myself and take the time to love myself first. If I love myself first, I promise I will be able to love my family and community much better, and that’s a win-win for everyone.

All these things have led me to where I am and who I will continue to grow into. The person I’ve always wanted to be is growing right in front of my eyes and that’s exciting; the work I’m doing is challenging minds, growing hearts, and contributing to this beautiful, colorful life. I am so proud of that!