In my opinion, one of the most difficult things to do is to let go of control. To let go of accomplishing my dreams, and my way,  and allow myself to trust in faith that my intended path will take me to far greater places.

I know that I have to be willing to let go of my specific wants and dreams to be blessed with far more than I ever could imagine.  I don’t feel as though I have given up on my dreams.  I altered my dreams, walked in faith down paths that I would not have chosen for myself, and gave up control.   

I followed paths that if had I thought about what I was doing I would have said were impossible for me to successfully accomplish.  I had faith in my path and gave up control.    

Like many kids, the only thing I really loved about school was after-school activities, sports, and clubs.  I loved both participating and learning how to be a successful leader in those activities.  Even in my senior year, I had no desire to attend college.  When people asked me about my plans after I graduated, I would tell them I planned to be a hairstylist.  However, I followed the path that unfolded in front of me, I let go of control. 

At the suggestion of my parents, I applied and was accepted at two universities.  In my mind, this was a backup plan.  I applied to Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University (which at the time accepted most in-state students).  I ended up at BGSU mainly because my brother was attending that university and it felt like the right next step.  

My writing skills were so poor my brother had to sit with me and guide me through my papers.  It never really occurred to me that I was incapable of writing, but numerous times it did occur to me that I should have paid attention during school! 

I’m not sure that anybody who really knew me well would have guessed that I would do so well at college. But the difference was that I was invested in college. I was invested in both time and money.

I wanted to study business. But at the time, my math skills were not strong enough to pass those classes.  I took some advice from my brother.  He suggested I earn a degree in something that I was good at and enjoyed.  I excelled at life skills and teaching, so home economics education was my path.  

I was getting frustrated with one of my professors because more often than not the person was not showing up to class.  I felt like I was paying for my education and deserved an instructor that showed up. Much to my surprise, when I went to talk to the professor the nameplate on the door read, Dean.  

After speaking to her, she offered me a job as her assistant.  It was the start of a lifelong mentor and friendship.  She changed my life and opened doors for me beyond what I ever dreamed possible.  It was this mentor who saw my potential and suggested I continue to graduate school.  

I let go of control, and I allowed things to happen in faith.  My mentor taught me how to acquire graduate assistantships and research assistantships to attend graduate school without having any financial burden.  

It was during graduate school at the University of Illinois that I enrolled in my first business classes.  I pursued a degree in textile marketing to incorporate my favorite areas of study.  The statistics, math, writing, and research classes were all things I would have considered impossible for me to accomplish, particularly in good academic standing.  I let go of control and continued to rely on my faith.      

Although I often find fault in my grammar, I find it rather unbelievable that I am writing a weekly blog.   As I continue to rely on my faith and let go of control my world continues to expand beyond what I thought possible.  

I let go of control and became a business executive in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, traveling the world.  I married my “much older” husband in faith, it was crazy and amazing all at the same time.  I had 27 eggs implanted two at a time for several years, ending with eggs 25, 26, and 27 becoming our twin girls.  It was an exercise in giving up control and persevering in faith.  And then there was leaving a successful career in Boston to move closer to family, which for me was stepping out in faith.  

I pray I let go of control and I have faith.  As I let go of control, I pray that I will be led to my intended path.  I pray for signs that will define the path I am to follow.  I have faith that I will listen and hear the signs.  I have faith that I will be led to something far greater than I could have imagined for myself and my family.   

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