“Happiness is a byproduct of fulfillment”
In my recent Instagram post, I spoke about my August goals and included announcements on what’s to come on my “GrowingHealthies” platform. I wanted to write a post on my blog, as more of a detailed and personal approach.
Happiness really is a byproduct of fulfillment, and fulfillment is the best form of motivation.
With that being said, I’m going to start with the beginning of the summer, where I wasn’t so fulfilled, and convert the story to where I have become fulfilled and happy.
I finished my second year of nursing school by failing pharmacology. Failure to most may mean an F in a class, but I received a 77 test average. With my 77 average in both pharmacology & pathophysiology in the semester before, I was 3 points off from passing my class with an 80. Thats right, three points.
3 points seems foolish after a semester of working the hardest I’ve ever worked, studying on the floor with my roommate before realizing we fell asleep, online classes, getting COVID, way too many tears, skipping fun events, and always having “I need to study” on my mind. Frustrated is an understatement. On a more emotional level, 3 points doesn’t seem like it should be enough to take me away from the school I met my best friends, boyfriend, and had my first clinical experience at. I literally called it home for two years, and 3 points was going to take me away from that? You bet.
I began to feel discouraged, emotional, and angry. I felt like a failure. I was angry because the people that bragged about cheating their way through, get to stay at school and not spend their free time looking into new programs away from where they planned originally.
“Let go of anger and leave rage behind! Don’t get upset- it will only lead to evil.” Psalm 37:8
I went on a road trip with my uncle to see his rental house three hours away, because I haven’t been there since I was little. We talked about all points of our lives during the drive as we’ve always been pretty close, but I didn’t feel ready to bring up anything to do with school. My worst fear in my school situation was always letting my family down.
By the last hour of the drive home he said, “tell me the most disappointing thing going on in your life right now” and I immediately teared up and said, “school.” I told him how the semester unfolded. He told me that I am not a failure and taught me exactly how to turn a disappointment around and keep moving forward.
He then asked, “what are the three things that make you the happiest right now”. The things that came to mind included: being home with my family, working on my garden, making new content for my fitness Instagram/blog, and going to my brothers baseball games. I think these things came to mind first because I feel fulfilled in the moments I’m doing these things. I’m either accomplishing something, or supporting someone else, giving me no time to think about the things I haven’t done.
By talking about these things, my uncle reminded me to acknowledge the disappointments in your life, feel it, then switch it around to why you should be happy. He also introduced me to the “Mindset Mentor” podcast, something I now listen to daily in the car and on the treadmill. I wanted to share some points from the podcast “How to Finally Feel Peace”.
“The more fulfilled you are the more motivation you actually get. This is because you’re not throwing objects at the void in your soul, you’re more motivated because you’re not trying to fill a hole other things can fill “ – How to Finally Find Peace, The Mindset Mentor Podcast
Looking back at the start of the summer, I wasn’t fulfilled. I felt like a failure, I was tired, and I felt like I wasted two years of my life. I had no idea if I should stick to nursing school. I remember spending the day after I got my final grade back at my boyfriends house, looking up other career options for hours.
This habit of looking at other options continued for about two months at home. I tried to switch to an education major because I didn’t feel like I was good enough to be a nurse. Teaching is a great career, however I wasn’t choosing it for the right reasons.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”
This has always been one of my favorite bible verses, but it speaks more to me now than ever. Similar to what the podcast said, I wasn’t fulfilled because I didn’t understand what to do and why this happened. It wasn’t until I acknowledged Him, that I began to see my path clear up.
“…and do not lean on your own understanding…”
Like I said, I almost switched to an education major. But, giving up nursing didn’t feel right to me. I know I’d be a good teacher, but I have a passion for nursing that I can’t give it up. Thankfully, I switched my mind back to where it was supposed to be right before I made the switch. I prayed about it and stopped making decisions based on my emotional state, but realized that growth only comes from finding discomfort in new things.
I will miss my friends, living near the city, and having a sense of independence. However, I now have time to transfer into a new nursing school, get experience as a CNA, and also work towards other opportunities that have been presented to me that I want to talk about next:
Growth. “Sometimes growth feels like you’re losing. Like everything you know and love is at risk. Like who were wasn’t good enough. Like who you are is a stranger. Growth is good, but the pain that accompanies it can feel bad. Stay committed to your growth. Sometimes your new life will cost you pieces of the old one.” –nakeia homer
My friend sent me an article that says, “Sometimes, God allows our dreams to fall apart so that we can keep our eye on an eternal perspective. In our “failures,” we cling to our identity in Christ, let go of our idols, and grow into Christlikeness.”
It’s funny that this friend is someone I only met a little over a month ago. She called me and asked me to join a faith group at church every Monday night for 20-30 year olds. Hesitant as that is literally my only day off, I said yes. I didn’t understand why I was being called to join this group, and it became clear to me immediately.
We read a book called Resisting Happiness. The first couple pages said, “Are you tired of setting goals and not accomplishing them? Do you procrastinate? Are you afraid to say what you really think and feel” I sat there and said to myself, “really, God? Not funny.” Because I felt as if I was doing all of those things.
Basically, not doing things we know are good for us is resistance.
I beat resistance from saying yes to this group and I am so happy I did. Through a few weeks of meeting, I’ve made new friendships, added healthy habits into my life, I have something to look forward to every Monday, and new doors within my own career has even opened up.
I noticed how once I put God first, he basically started throwing things in my lap….
I got into another nursing school. No other schools would take credits, I’d have to take an exam to get in, and every road block imagined got in my way. The particular school I did get into, takes some credits, and is also revolved around the Catholic Faith. Coincidence? I think not.
I have a new, and real friend. Let’s be real, being a 20 year old girl today makes it hard to find real, wholesome, and good friends with the same values as you. This new friend, Laura is real, honest, driven, goofy, and the type of person I am proud and lucky to know. She isn’t just my group leader, she is a good friend, that gave me the encouragement I felt like I was lacking from friends during these hard decisions I was making.
I started taking a personal training course. I went weeks worrying about what others would think about my situation. Once I joined this group, they recognized my strong faith and the love I have for fitness. Laura and Mike in our fabulous group of three encouraged me to do the thing I’ve been afraid of for months, taking a personal training course. Training wasn’t nursing, so I felt like it wasn’t acceptable to do something aside from my future career. But, after two days of talking to them about it, I got the course and instantly felt myself become more fulfilled. It may not be what I thought I was going to be doing a year ago, but it’s something I know I love doing. Soon, I’ll be a CPT with NASM, promoting the things I love everyday.
I was introduced into being a brand partner. Not only did Laura help encourage me to take the next step into personal training, but she introduced me to being a Brand Partner with Savvi. This company is a group of people who also believe in the power of God, wear athletic clothes, share it, sell it, and support each other. Perfect for someone like me who hates jeans and sweaters.
“…acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”
Acknowledging God, prioritizing time with him, and even just making time to think about what talents he’s given me, I can see my path more clearly and have been having multiple “oh that makes sense” moments.
3 points lead to failure and closing the door to my first college experience. That failure lead to 3 new doors with school, training, and my faith life.
“And He will make your paths straight”
I’m so happy I was able to finally have the confidence to share this blog post.
Religious or not, putting your priorities first and really listening to what’s inside will get you where you need to be.
Goals are only dreams if you don’t do something about them.
If you’ve read this far, I’m so excited to share my upcoming ebook, CNA experience, NASM certification, 1:1 coaching opportunities, Savvi app, and more….
I’m unsure of where exactly I’m going, but by putting God first, I have been able to open new doors and opportunities I am so excited to share.
Growing Healthies 
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