What I learned being a lifeguard may surprise you!

Last year, I was in search of a summer job. I looked through every possible solution to my problem and came up with nothing. One day my mom asked me, “Why don’t you become a lifeguard?” After some thought, I decided to do so. After filling out many applications, I was called back for two interviews which led to being hiring as a lifeguard and swim instructor. At the time, it didn’t really click how influential that job could be for me.

The first day of work was somewhat of a blur. I was new and had no idea what I was doing, but as the weeks went on, I finally got the hang of things and was trusted with teaching a class on my own. I will never forget the names of my first students. There’s just something about being around kids that makes you forget about all the difficult things in your life. No matter the day or weather, those kids always had a smile on their faces and lived for the moment they came to the pool for their swim lessons.               

After spending just a little time with my kids every day, I learned something so valuable. Watching them be so happy all the time made me re-evaluate my own happiness. Why waste my time worrying or being unhappy about things that don’t matter, when I can spend my time being happy about the things that I love, like those kids' love for swim lessons. My mood immediately changed after my mindset changed and I started to become happier about the simplest things. 

At that time, it was the summer between my senior year of high school and my first year of college. Before graduating high school, I promised myself that I would make a positive change in my outlook on life. These kids were exactly what I needed to give me a push in the right direction. Had I not realized what I needed to do, and how I needed to act, I definitely would not be where I am today – happy, enjoying life, worrying less and doing what I love. I am able to open up to people more, go out with my friends and I am reminded, more and more every day, how much I love being a psychology major. My college experience, though it was tough, has been the most fun I have ever had in my life, all thanks to my kids.  

Live your life to the fullest, laugh at yourself, do something crazy. Just be happy. Do what you love, regardless of what other people say, because the only person who knows you, is you. In the words of Youtuber Charles Trippy, “Never let somebody say that your dreams are dumb…if you want to be a dragon, be a f****** dragon.”