Winds of Change: Accepting New Paths in Life and Career"

Jhizzah Mae Francisco

When I was a little girl I used to dream of being a nurse. The idea of caring for individuals, of providing a comforting presence when they were sick or in pain had always excited me. I was in awe of medicine, and the idea of learning a science that could preserve my family's health seemed like a noble ambition.

 Life had other plans for me, but I ended up going on another journey that took me through the world of tourism. After I realized that I would face my first encounter with public speaking by pursuing a degree in Tourism Management, i had defined options of what i wanted to be, yet. Somehow, I knew my shortcomings and still light-heartedly wished to break out of them.

The course looked like an opportunity not just to better my communication but open doors for me. Only this decision would ultimately lead to unexpected possibilities in my life. I travelled; I met with people from different walks of life, and experienced diverse cultures far beyond my own. The world was open to me, and I would find out after every trip that it's okay to change your route when something is not for you. Through tourism, I was able to combine my love for learning and service. But I discovered and way to truly take care of others that didn’t start in a hospital rather from making experiences that brought people joy, wonder, happiness.

I began this as a journey to better my communication and ended up in a way of personal-related growth and discoveries. I do not anymore view me as "the one" who has to go after a schedule. After all, life is open to the winds of change, and I have grown to accept whatever new paths are opened for me. I look forward to whatever the future holds, Today I am excited. Life can be funny that way, life have a tendency to know where you belong even when at first glance it may not look alike to what you might expect.