This year, I have decided to partake in a Project 365 Thanks headed by Inspiredrd. In 2012, she is challenging everyone to think of something eac

h day they are thankful for, to live a life of filled with more gratitude, to slow down and, wherever you are, be present.

Along with sending out a tweet everyday with the hashtag #365thanks, every Thursday I will viagra 50mg publish a post on something I am thankful for.

………

In 2007 I was recruited to play on the UNC Women’s Basketball team. The opportunities available to me were endless… I was able to study abroad, travel, continue playing the sport I loved all while obtaining a degree for a career I am passionate about. I was 19, the world was waiting and I couldn’t wait to embark on my adventure.

Due to an injury and series of unfortunate events that were out of my control, my athletic career at UNC ended sooner than expected. Much sooner. I was living in another country, my dreams seemed shattered. I wanted to run back to Australia – to my comfort zone – yet something was telling me to stay. I had established strong relationships with my teammates and we were now more like family. I had also become invested in the dietetics program and loved every minute of every nutrition class I was taking. My professors and advisor (probably without knowing it at the time) continually provided me with reasons to stay – with opportunities that were not guaranteed if I continued my education in Australia.

So through four

years of laughter, tears, joy, times of uncertainty, stress, and many, many opportunities later… I graduated with my B.S in Dietetics.

Now, I am two-thirds of the way through a 9 month long dietetic internship, the final stage (along with sitting the registration exam) to becoming a registered dietitian. Although at times the internship can seem long and drawn-out with no end in sight, each and every day I am continually provided with opportunities to learn, to build on my knowledge and experiences and become a better, more well-rounded professional entering the workforce.

And this is all thanks to opportunities I took advantage of on my adventure – sometimes full of certain and other times a little wary – but always knowing it was an opportunity.

“When one door closes, another door opens”