Embracing Must: A never-ending journey of self-discovery and personal growth

 

In life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, torn between the expectations of others and our true passions. The book "The Crossroads of Should and Must" by Elle Luna beautifully encapsulates this dilemma and resonates deeply with me. As the youngest of five in a Hispanic family, I grew up navigating the complexities of identity and cultural expectations. In honor of my journey, let me share some of my life's stories with you.

Growing up as a Puerto Rican, I grappled with questions of identity. Was I white or black? Should I conform to societal beauty standards, straighten my hair, or embrace my natural curls? Should I speak Spanish or English? These questions haunted me; however, through the years, I've realized that my duality is an asset. I will never be too white or black, my hair will never be frizz-free (unless you give up and start using Keratin like me), and I will surely mix English and Spanish in a portmanteau we call Spanglish.

Raised in a blue-collar family, I believed education was the key to upward mobility. Inspired by my father's advice to "do something well or don't bother," I embarked on an academic journey. After obtaining my bachelor's in elementary education, I decided to further my studies. This pursuit led me to cross the pond and land in Tampa, where I enrolled in an instructional design and technology graduate program at the University of South Florida - a campus bigger than my hometown.

I arrived in Tampa in 2008 with the cocky belief that I had a strong command of English. However, a humbling experience at a teacher employment fair in Hillsborough County revealed the gaps in my language skills. Undeterred, I secured a position as an early literacy coach, where I worked diligently to improve my English while coaching preschool teachers. Despite the challenges, I never gave up. I poured my heart into my studies, meticulously reading and researching to overcome language barriers. Graduating with an impressive GPA, I proved that determination and resilience could conquer any obstacle. Now, I am pursuing a second master's in communication studies.

My career journey took me from Tampa to Miami, where I joined an incredible nonprofit organization under a federal grant. As a literacy coach and later a Director of engagement and communication, I honed my skills in translating complex information into accessible language. The satisfaction of effectively communicating the organization's impactful work propelled my growth and nurtured my passion for communication.

My journey led me to higher education, where I've held various roles, from working with volunteers to creating impactful donor experiences. I've been described by colleagues as a chameleon or a jack of all trades. They refer to me like that because I am insatiable for learning and problem-solving. I want to know everything for me to make decisions and recommendations. When I am researching and finding solutions, that's when I am the happiest.

Reading "The Crossroads of Should and Must" made me think thoroughly about what makes me happy and how I can embrace my "must." After hours of pondering, I realized that what makes me happy is continual learning, knowing I am helping people with solutions, adding value, and innovating. And while the journey has been filled with challenges, doubts, and leaps of faith, every step has been worth it.