Has your stomach ever done a flip flop at the thought that things are changing? Mine too. At the beginning of freshman year I was scared. Then I learned to love. I fell in love with people, my school, and the person I had become. I found a place in a small dorm room with someone that made me feel safe. I had a schedule, and I was comfortable with my life. Now, it's all different. I feel different. No, it's not a bad different. I just realized that I have a whole new year ahead of me. So many memories are to come. It's OK to be scared. As I sit here, with my two best friends, I can imagine the laughter, bad jokes, and tears to come. My goal, for my sophomore year, is to find more places to belong. I want to give my heart to those who deserve it.

Nothing ever happens the same way twice. No matter who I was a year ago, I cannot go back to her. No matter how comfortable I was, I can't stay in that state. Change is in our life to force us to grow. It may make you feel like you can't find yourself. The truth is, you won't find yourself. You have to keep growing. Trust me, I know it hurts. When you feel like you have everything you need, something or someone will do a 180 on you. Let them go, and keep growing, little flower.

I'll tell you my fears. I'm scared of how badly the change might hurt. I'm scared of loosing people that made such an impact on me. You know what's scarier than that? Loosing someone who just grows away from you. I know that it's OK to be scared of all of these things. Change is just a part of our lives.

So, how am I going to handle this? I'm going to keep a tight hold on the people that choose to stand with me everyday. I'm going to remember the good times, and the hard lessons that I had to learn during my freshman year. I can honestly say that I'm excited for what the future holds, and what new memories I will make. The change is waiting on me, it's waiting to make me grow into a totally new human.

Now, no matter what you're about to start, no matter what chapter you're about to begin writing, you should know that it will be OK. It's not the end until it's OK. Here are some quotes that get me through the changes.

"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul."

"The sunrise, of course, doesn't care if we watch it or not. It will keep on being beautiful, even if no one bothers to notice it. "

"May your heart be kind, your mind be fierce, and your spirit be brave."

"Chase purity, Chase gentleness, Chase kindness, Chase love."