The blog topics that give me an awkward butterfly feeling in my tummy when I read them are my favourite @missy @rambo @charmaine.
This weeks is one of those. If you asked me what my greatest accomplishment was 2 years ago, I would have said gaining entry into veterinary medicine & surgery in a heart beat. When I was 15 I decided I wanted to be a vet. I loved animals and it was the obvious choice. I slaved away through school only to receive a grade of 96%, one percent shy of acceptance into vet. I continued down the path and eventually with only a shortfall of 0.01% and a lot of sweet talking in 2012 I began veterinary science. The sense of pride I felt was out of this world. I cried. My mum cried. My pop cried. There were a lot of tears.
My greatest accomplishment in life however is learning to listen to my heart. Learning to be true myself, know what I want and achieve it.
I removed myself from my veterinary degree after one year. I was stressed, miserable, and struggling with the ethics of what this career would entail. The coursework wasn't a problem, but the life was. I love animals far too much to spend my days cutting them open, or euthanising them.
Vets do fantastic work, and I truly do take my hat off to any one who works in the veterinary field, however it is not for me. Turning away from something I had devoted 5 years of my life to wasn't easy. I struggled with it internally for months before I spoke up. One night I broke down and told T "I don't think I want to be a vet anymore" and to this day it was one of the most difficult sentences I've ever spoken. A lot of people tried to stop me. Told me I was crazy and I would regret it later. But I just knew I would regret becoming a vet much more.
For quite a while I was lost. But to know I wasn't working towards a career I would hate was a relief. I don't see the point in studying something you don't enjoy if you won't even like the end destination.
It taught me to listen to my gut, and trust that it is always right. And this I feel is my biggest accomplishment. To walk away from a dream that at that point consumed a quarter the time I had been a live took a great deal of courage. But this life we lead is too short to do anything other than what makes you happy. I still have great dreams and I know I will achieve them and more, but I have things now I value much more greatly than any career. Not everyone will be outstanding in their field, or be remembered. But I am filling my life with the outstanding that I will remember. I cherish adventures and encounters with all kinds of creatures. I enjoy cuddles and stories and laughing till it hurts. I'm not trying to advocate being content with the mediocre but more so to find that piece of extraordinary in each day. The little things are the golden.
Leading a happy, full and honest life is my greatest accomplishment.
Here is a sweet little miniset @Randum_ and I shot this afternoon. I'm so lucky to have such a beautiful friend to practice and create with.
Another accomplishment I'm pretty proud of is my first set, Winter Sun which is now in member review! Have a lovely week lovely people
Sunflower xx
