Finding Happiness Through Courage

From the day I was born until the day I graduated, I lived in a small town called Rhinelander, up in the Northwood's of Wisconsin. Because I had lived in Rhinelander my whole life, everything about the town seemed boring. Nothing new ever happened in that town. I would often imagine what it would be like to live in other places of the country or maybe even the world. I had never been anywhere other than home. My parents never took me on vacations, and they hardly ever went on vacations themselves. The sheltered life I lived never gave me the opportunity to be courageous and take risks, but that all changed when I entered my senior year in high school. I learned that those that have the courage to take risks will be able to live a more fulfilling life.

The first time I was able to be courageous and take chances was when I was posed with a difficult decision: Should I continue to stay in a comfortable long term relationship with my boyfriend Brad, or should I risk ending my relationship with Brad to enter a risky relationship with a kind sweet boy named Anthony who made a promise to quit drugs if I would date him? Although Brad was a nice boy, I did not feel that I would live a happy life with him. Like my parents, Brad would keep me sheltered. His wishes included living in Rhinelander together, attending the local technical college together, and transferring to a University of Wisconsin school together. But the truth was I did not want to stay in Rhinelander another year. I didn't even want to stay in Wisconsin another year. Although dating Anthony seemed risky, the opportunity gave me the courage to take the chance to break up with Brad. By having the courage to leave Brad, I was given the opportunity to explore new possibilities, including the possibility that I could find happiness.

Another time I had the opportunity to be courageous and take chances was when Anthony and I decided to tie the knot. Although I had only known Anthony a little over half a year, I was confident that he was the one I was supposed to be with for the rest of my life. Getting married is a serious matter. According to my mom, it is foolish to marry young or even at all. I can understand her opinion, especially when divorce rates are as high as they are here in America. Divorce divides families, belongings, and lives. My mom knows firsthand because her and my dad had gotten divorced when I was only six years old. The effects of the divorce have made a serious impact on everyone in my family. Anthony and I knew marriage was a big commitment. However, we had experienced nothing but happiness together. We knew it would be risky but we had the courage to take that risk. Standing at the altar that day was the best day of my life. And, I have no regrets. Because Anthony and I had the courage to take that risk, we were able to find happiness through our lives together.

Shortly after making the decision to get married, the question of where we would move and attend college posed yet another chance to be brave and take risks. It was too late for us to apply at any four year colleges or universities together. However, it was not too late for us to apply at two year community colleges together. Because there are thousands of community colleges in America, we could pick any community college and move virtually anywhere in the country. We were overwhelmed with choices. We did some research and learned that community colleges in California have the lowest tuition rate in the country. Also, College of the Siskiyous has the lowest tuition rate for community colleges in California. The most outrageous part is that being an out-of-state student and attending College of the Siskiyous is cheaper than attending a Wisconsin community or technical college as an in-state student. So we applied at College of the Siskiyous and both of us had been accepted. It takes a lot of courage to start a new life across the country somewhere you have never been before, especially without a pre-arranged home or job. Moving to California was very risky for the both of us. But because we took the chance to move and attend school in California, we live a more fulfilling life because the move has opened up a plethora of new opportunities to learn and grow together.

Having the courage to take risks enables people to live a more satisfying life. Because I had the courage to leave a comfortable relationship for someone risky, because I had the courage to get married realizing the chances I took, and because I had the courage to move away from my hometown to some foreign town, I am happy; I am happy that I had the courage to leave a comfortable relationship for someone I barely knew; I am happy that I had the courage to get married to a man that would later bring me such happiness; I am happy that I had the courage to move someplace I have never been before; and I am happy to know that I will be brave enough to chances again later in life. Who knows who we will meet, what we will do, or where we will go. Only time can tell.