So you may have heard the cliche quote on Pinterest or Tumblr : "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." This Confucius quote is popular, but I think there is a lot of truth to it.

This past year has brought a lot of movement and change for me. From attending Xavier University in Cincinnati to studying abroad in Nicaragua for the spring semester, to returning home to Connecticut in the summer, to transferring to Mississippi State University for my Junior year of college, I have had to adapt to different places time and time again. Through all this change and uncertainty, however, I have been forced to dig deeper and find myself more now than ever. I'm talking about my true self--not the bag of labels I carry around with me. With everything constantly moving around me, I have had to learn to stand true in my beliefs and find what really defines me. I have brought my heart from place to place and it only grows as each new adventure brings new lessons and relationships.

What defines you? Are you a cheerleader or softball player? Do you like eating healthy or pizza for every meal? Are you a morning or night person? Do you have a significant other or are you single? Or should I ask... do any of these questions really define the essence of you? I mean I used to be a cheerleader at Xavier, but now I find myself playing ultimate frisbee. I used to eat tons of vegetables until I studied abroad in Nicaragua and ate rice and beans for almost every meal. I used to be in a long distance relationship until I started going to college with my boyfriend. By constantly changing where I was, I was shed of my superficials labels and activities that I thought defined me. I could no longer be defined by what I did (like eating healthy and exercising or cheerleading), but rather all I had to define myself were my values and my faith.

I found that wherever I go, my heart follows me. Through all the change, I still had compassion and bad puns. I still had a love for sunsets, coffee, messy buns and big t-shirts. I still had faith in God that was forced to grow stronger with trust. I still had my sensitive heart and tendency toward productiveness. I still had that little voice telling me I wasn't enough. And finally, I still had my heart for others. Moving and changing didn't cover my insecurities and strengths, it only magnified them and made them clearer.

I challenge you: never be scared to make external changes because know that YOUR HEART WILL FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. Not only that, but it will grow as you shed your snake skin and explore what is truly important to you. At Xavier, I learned that I am capable of functioning on my own and building a life for myself. In Nicaragua, I learned that I love just spending time with people in a community and that I don't need to be productive all the time to be happy. At home, I learned that my family and high school friends are my rock. At Mississippi, I am learning about myself on a whole new level as I get to do life with my high school boyfriend every day. I am forced to start over--make new friends, join new clubs, learn my way around a new town--but I am reassured that my heart is 110% here. I have myself, I will always have my values and faith, I have God, and I have love to give and receive.

Home is where the heart is. I am glad to say that I am home, and that home will always be within myself.