For all of my adult life, I can’t remember a time I was not involved in the political process.

When I first moved to Des Moines, I immediately became involved in the drama of a presidential election. The following year, I was hired as an intern for a political organization where I learned how to think for myself and adopt the perspective of liberty and personal responsibility, being more aware of issues rather than toeing a party line. When I dropped out of college and worked on a congressional campaign in 2014, I thought that was going to be the stepping stone to the rest of my life.

Instead, my political involvement became less frequent when I took a corporate job, taking steps in building my career and focusing on my personal life rather than being all-consumed by never-ending political endeavors. Sure, I still showed up as a volunteer when it counted. If there was an issue that I was passionate about, I raised my voice and made the effort to stand up for what’s right. I was a trouble maker, a rabble rouser, an advocate, and an activist--helping out principled candidates and tackling local issues of importance.

I ended last year and kicked off this year by actively volunteering for the presidential candidate who was my choice in the 2016 election. As the caucus rolled around, I performed my civic duty and showed up to vote for my liberty-minded candidate. As I made my way downtown later that evening to join some friends for our candidate’s after-caucus-party, I stopped to admire the Des Moines skyline.

I thought to myself, “no matter what happens, I still have this. This is my world, this is my time – it’s up to me how to proceed.”

After the caucus, my candidate left the race. And while that was disappointing, I considered it to be just another step in the journey. Liberty does not hinge its name on one person, but rather it is something to be spread far and wide--something that needs to be ignited in the minds of those around us. I was asked who I would next support since my candidate was out of the race, but I decided that I was out of presidential politics this go around. I thought I would again focus my time on local endeavors throughout the state, on things that will advance freedom in Iowa--because our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. But that also became less frequent as I also realized that I needed to focus on myself and my personal goals; only when we start with peace and growth in our own lives can we then go and positively impact the world around us.

Life has unfolded vastly different from what I had initially pictured all those years ago as a much younger (and more naive) political activist, but it actually turned out to be way better than I had ever anticipated. Because of my life experiences, I know that I can stand up for what I believe in when it counts, but also set my own personal and professional goals and pursue them with confidence, responsibility, and maturity. I can do anything I set my mind to, and each day presents new opportunities to pursue. Whether I am pursuing my own endeavors or taking a stand for an issue of importance, there needs to be a balance.

There is a time and a place for political involvement. With this political election coming to a close, I took some time to reminisce about the past and take stock of how I’ve personally developed over the last couple of years. I’ve made impacts in the liberty movement and stood up for issues I am passionate about. But this year I also achieved some major accomplishments for myself. After many years of exerting most of my energy in political efforts, it was good to meet some of my own personal and professional goals this year.

This is just another step in the journey. This is my world. This is my time. And it’s up to me how to proceed.