Let me start by telling you the beginning to some of my story...

My parents took me on my first international trip to Europe when I was 15-years-old. After this trip, I had the idea to study abroad in college. When I began my freshman year of college years later, I started to voice my interest in going abroad. I told my parents and myself I was going to go second semester of my sophomore year. Sophomore year rolled around and I knew for sure part of God’s plan for me was studying abroad. My mom encouraged me to take on Europe. She told me Europe would be the best choice because I could travel to so many different countries. I went on applying to schools in France. I had everything planned to study in a city called Vichy. As things were getting squared away for studying in France a feeling came over me and I feared I was not making a decision I would be happiest with.

I don't remember when my passion for Australia came about. It feels like it was always just in the back of my heart and I rarely brought it out because the country is so far away and never mentioned by anyone in my family. I thought of it as this unrealistic destination I wouldn't be able to go to: a wonderland, a dream world. Through my study abroad applications I pushed Australia to the side and went on to believe Europe was meant to be my plan. But no matter how many times I imagined the amazing adventures I would have in Europe, I couldn’t shake off what my third eye kept trying to show me.

I changed my mind last minute and knew what I really wanted was to go to Australia. I knew that even though it wasn’t what my family originally encouraged, I had to take responsibility in going after what I dreamed about. So I followed what my heart had been trying to get me to do all along.

Here I am sitting in Melbourne thinking about what I could write about for my first "Odyssey" post. I'm staring at the city line and it hits me that it would only make sense to begin my "Odyssey" journey sharing with you how I started the chase after my dreams.

When I write, my ideas come to me in bursts throughout my days. I get so many moments of inspiration in Australia. Literally right now I am walking across a bridge outside Federation Square writing this in the notes on my phone to quickly get my ideas down.

I think a lot of us are okay with going through life doing what is expected of the average human being and I'm just not going for it. I believe we are supposed to go after something more and something deeper. Settling for the expected is a far too shallow way of living. Adults tell us to become doctors, engineers, accountants, etc. The creative people, the musicians, the designers, the artists, the writers, the dreamers are all pushed to the side and told to get their heads out of the clouds and go after something more realistic or practical. The people who will really make a difference are the ones who take the paths less expected. They will be the ones brave enough to fight off their doubts and their fears and go against what society says is the right way to do life.

I have become so passionate about getting this message across to people in a society that extensively encourages us to play it safe. I hope that from sharing some of my story I can play a part in inspiring whoever reads this. Inspiration is what ignites dreams. Being in Australia is teaching me that I have a small part in inspiring others to dream and to chase those dreams. Find what makes you feel like yourself and what brings you the most joy and chances are that is your passion. Passion will turn into dreams. Believe in yourself even when people question you. Take it from me that at any point all you have to do is make the decision to change your life and do what you have always wanted to do. Take it from me that life will make the most sense when you are going after your dreams.