Something has changed within me, something is not the same.
Too late for second-guessing, too late to go back to sleep.
It’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap.
It’s time to try defying gravity.
I think I’ll try defying gravity, and you can’t pull me down.

Truthfully, I wanted to save this topic for later. But, after watching Lindsay Mendez perform and completely impress the audience with her rendition of Defying Gravity, I needed to express my upmost happiness for the direction I’ve decided to take in my life.

REALLY, HAS ANYONE SEEN ME HAPPIER?

As you all know by now, I’ve decided to try and defy gravity by taking my public relations toolbox to New York City. Here, I’ve discovered an incredible amount about myself, the future I desire and the world around me. I keep repeating, however, that there’s some sort of magic that surrounds my trip. The question is:

Is there magic surrounding positive risk taking?

Risk-takers make a small percentage of our population. This is because when we think of risk-takers we think about cliff jumpers and gamblers. When we think of risks we think of the negative consequences what could come out of them. But I’m an advocate for positive risk taking. What I mean is, taking a step forward without clear direction but knowing there’s only room for nothing but growth.

Think about it. Had I come to New York empty-handed, no internship, no plan, I could still say I came to New York with my own resources, discovered new people and places and had a blast for the time being. I could’ve taken the time to learn more about the industry and what it would take for me to come back and kick PR butt. I would’ve felt just as happy because I took a “leap” of faith with myself and made a positive decision.

Now, I’m not telling you to book a trip to Europe in search of what you should major in college. What I want, is to inspire people to defy gravity. I want people to learn that by planning ahead and taking positive risks, there’s no such thing as a “fall.” Gravity pulls you down, but a solid vision for what you want and need in life will lift you up. And as all this is happening, life rewards us by adding a little magic in our endeavors — if we keep a positive attitude, too, of course.

Now, when people ask me why I’ve gotten “so lucky,” understand that there is no luck involved in my recent good fortune. It took a leap of faith in myself, determination and a positive outlook in everything that gets tossed my way. Book that flight, put some gas in your car or put on the thinking cap… it’s time to take a positive risk and defy gravity.

Everyone deserves a chance to fly.
And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free.
To those who ground me, take a message back from me:
I’m flying high defying gravity. And nobody in all of “Oz,” no wizard that there is or was, is ever going to bring me down.