Because I Want To
December 13, 2021 - Shauna Jurczak

The photo on the left was me at about at around 5 or 6 years old…yup, old school roller skates, knee high sports socks, tousled hair, and a 100-year-old dress on. When I asked my mom why she let me wear that she shrugged and said, “Because you wanted to.” That right there sums me up as a kid.

The photo on the right is me now. Age 39! As we go through life, we are influenced by so many things. Our best friend, our significant other, teachers and coaches, the news, and what society says we should do, think, or be. Eventually, we all hope to come back to our unique, beautiful selves.

When I started 2021, with the plan to rebuild after the insanity of 2020, I looked at the picture of the little girl on the right. The girl who dressed in crazy outfits and did goofy things, simply because she wanted to. The girl who climbed door frames and cartwheeled all across the yard. Yes, because she wanted to. The little girl who knew she could do whatever her heart was set on, because she wanted to.

That girl got lost and came back many times along my journey, but she is still inside today…and she is going to keep on keeping on, because she wants to! We all have that with in us. A fire inside lighting up your spirit, your unique self, and your true, authentic you.

So remember, just like that little girl in roller skates, we are all capable of succeeding and doing amazing things, simply because we want to. Be proud of who you were, who you are now, and who you are becoming, because you are destined to do incredible things.