The art of saying goodbye is hard. Whether it is to a person or an activity you love, the feelings attached to it are very much the same. This little "mini-series" is going to focus on activities that we fell passionate for, but for various reasons had to let go of them.

I remember the first time I had to say goodbye to something I loved, and still wish that I was doing sometimes. It was my eighth grade year, and I was ten years into my dancing career. I was pretty adamant about becoming a dance teacher owning my own studio when I grew up, and I wanted nothing else. Everything else I did were great hobbies and opportunities, but dancing was my life. I made great friends, learned about multiple styles of dance, and had the typical dancer goal of being a Radio City Rockette one day. Tap dance was my favorite, and I wanted to perfect it and be a tap master.

I was into my third year of playing flute as well, and the high school band director came to my school and talked about the marching band show for the upcoming year. Needless to say, I fell quickly in love with the idea of marching band and that show. Bringing this idea to my parents, they told me a heart wrenching truth: I had to choose between dance and marching band.

Both require a lot of time and effort. Dance requires a lot of technical practice both in and out of the studio. Marching band requires learning how to march and play at the same time, and we do choreography on the field. I'd lose my flexibility that I worked 10 years to get, but I'd gain more confidence in my musical ability. I will not tell you how many pro and con lists I made to ultimately come to the decision. Ultimately the day came and I had decided to give up what I thought was my one true love: dance.

That same year, I was faced with giving up my decade of dedication to Girl Scouts as well. My Mom was my troop leader, and it broke her as much as it broke me to decide not to return. With my decision of joining the high school marching band already being made, we agreed that I had to put my all into it, which meant prioritizing and giving up the dream of doing my gold award service project.

But listen up, this is not meant to be a depressing story about how I gave up my entire previous life to dive into a new adventure blindfolded. This is meant to be a lesson. Sometimes, as stubborn as we can be about letting go and the concept of change, we have to give up things that defined us to move on to something better. Giving up dance and Girl Scouts to do marching band helped me discover my deepest passion in life: music. I found a band family, my major in college, and it helped me pave the way for the rest of my life.

I still work with Girl Scouts to this day. I connected with a local troop near my university and we do service projects, go camping, and enjoy activities together. I still watch old dance recitals and dance around my room for fun. Even though we have to give up these things that we love, it doesn't mean that we have to abandon them forever. I make room for my old passions, I still miss them so much, but I'm thankful for every new adventure that comes my way.

I don't regret any of my decisions. This is probably the most important thing I can tell you. When you give up one thing, don't regret it. That regret will hinder you from enjoying what's in front of you because you will be dwelling on what you left behind. At first, it might sting a little when you see your friend post on Instagram a picture about what you just gave up, but I promise it will be okay.

Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we have to do, but it allows us to move forward and be even better human beings that we ever were before. The story of my past has proven that because I'm an aspiring music teacher, but what does my life hold right now that I'm going to say goodbye to? What makes this a "mini-series?" You'll have to tune in next week to find out.

Much love,

BG