Growth

I have always held a desire to travel…whether that be to the next state over or a country overseas. Cultural diversity and cultivating relationships with those vastly different than me had a strong place in my heart. However, these feelings were rather surface level as I look back on my desires before. I never thought I would say this…but Iceland changed me, for the better.

When I was approached by Mary to take this trip, all I knew was Iceland for an International Stuttering Association conference/presentation and I said ‘yes’. Now looking back, that was the best ‘yes’ of my life thus far. I challenged myself, or rather the presentation challenged me, to overcome an obstacle on my professional journey. Hello wanting to go in a corner and hide right before the presentation, but I did my part and celebrated my accomplishment after. An interesting comment someone made to me after the presentation, “why are you so nervous…you speak fluently so what is there to be nervous about?” Even though I still accept my nerves for what they are, this gave me pause to consider such a different perspective. So, professional growth…accomplished. Networking with individuals in the speech-language pathology field from ALL OVER the world…accomplished. Discerning the desires of my heart after a week and a half spent learning who I was as a person and what I want out of life…still working on that one.

I have always been a type A personality, micro-manager but still go with the flow (occasionally). I thought I lived a healthy, balanced life of “stressed enough.” Iceland gave me the chance to let go of pent up stress, anxiety, and worry that life had been weighing on me for one too many days. The presence of calmness and nature and tranquility and appreciating God’s world…and not enough words to explain the feelings Iceland conveys. My desires have changed. I yearn for the internal peace I found while riding along the country roads looking over fields of lupine and staring at mountains in the distance or overlooking the quiet city at 3 in the morning. I am appreciative of the opportunity I was given, I am appreciative of all I was able to see, I am appreciative of the wonderful people I was able to meet…but I can only hope for more of these soul-stirring moments.

I left a piece of my heart in Iceland. Now, I embrace the opportunities that lie ahead and anticipate what else the world has to offer…