My life took a startling turn in the fourth grade when a girl named Beth was chosen to sing the solo in the school musical, and I was stuck playing the role of a maid named Hilda. Call me crazy, but I still haven't forgotten about that devastating life moment or the way my pink apron perfectly complimented my feather duster.

It happened again in middle school at Netherworld haunted house. I was running from a masked clown carrying a chainsaw before I so gracefully tripped and proceeded to break a bone in my foot.

Sophomore year of high school brought with it the dreaded health and fitness class. One day, our class was watching "Supersize Me," a documentary following the life of a man who consumes only McDonalds for an absolutely horrendous amount of time. Ironically enough, I was eating a pack of M&Ms while watching, and I must've swallowed one of them the wrong way because, before I knew it, I was choking and gasping for air as a fellow classmate performed the heimlich. Not embarrassing whatsoever.

Freshman year of college came around, and I found that it was no different. I confidently filled out application after application before I was wait listed and later denied from my number one choice of schools. It was honestly unexpected, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't torn up about it.

The point of this article, though, isn't to reminisce on the things that I thought went wrong in my life. It's to showcase the fact that life is so beautifully imperfect.

I didn't get the solo in the fourth grade, but I wore the hell out of that maid's apron and learned early on that things won't always go the way I want them to. Beth was my motivator. She beat me, and I knew this was my opportunity to improve. Hours upon hours of practice and music lessons ensued, and before I knew it I was auditioning for (and accepted into) the Georgia Regional Girls' Choir, where I landed my very own solo to "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles.

The haunted house and M&M stories are a little less profound, I'll admit. I don't really have any ridiculously philosophical life advice when it comes to these, but I did learn a few valuable lessons. First and foremost, never run in a haunted house. Just don't do it. The masked clown ended up being a really nice guy, though. He helped me up, carried me out of the haunted house, and offered many apologies. People aren't always what they seem - remember that. Also, I'm now a firm believer that it's usually better to face your fears head on rather than to run away from them. As for the M&Ms, I've learned that there are some things in life that I'm better off without, and I'm not just talking about candy. In all seriousness, though, I haven't eaten an M&M since that day.

The most important "wrong" in my life was when I wasn't accepted into the college I so desperately wished to attend. This was a really low point for me, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around why it was happening. Now, I realize that I attend the most amazing school on planet Earth with palm trees, warm weather, great people, Harris Pastides, Bar None cheese fries, and the Salty Nut Cafe. What more could I ask for?

Sure, I would've still been happy at the other school, but that one bump in the road that I thought meant the end of the world led me to best friends, a passion for writing and graphic design, and the craziest (best) experiences that I never could've imagined even in my wildest dreams. I was taken out of my comfort zone and forced to grow as a person - socially, mentally, and academically.

Sometimes life has a really funny way of doing the exact opposite of what we want it to do. I think it likes to show us that we're not always in control. I've had my fair share of obstacles, and I don't expect the rest of my life to be smooth sailing. However, I've learned that it's okay to let go of the reins and roll with the punches. Worrying is a waste of time, and pity parties are for the weak. If you're ever discouraged, remember that time heals. If you're ever scared, feel the fear and do it anyway. And if you're ever sad, imagine me dressed as a maid named Hilda. You're welcome.