Rewrite (Part Two)

I just finished up my six year terms serving on another incredible governor appointed entity and working closely with the best of the best in our state. I am truly grateful for the many experiences, adventures, lots of unforgettable moments and lessons that I was able to take away from this journey. I loved getting to be involved with various leadership capacities and making the disability community here in Utah a place that everyone belongs. 

MANY YEARS BACK----I quietly thought to myself about becoming a member of UDDC and not quite knowing what I would be getting myself into. I definitely felt like at the time it was the right step for me as I wanted to continue giving back to a community that provided opportunities I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am thankful for the growth that I have seen in myself and knowing my advocacy work is far from being over any time soon. I am truly blessed to have had the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ through out this journey and believing in me to trust in him every step of the way. I know he was never going to let me do this alone and give me every ounce of faith to keep going whether I wanted to or not. I am grateful for his role in my life and encouraging me to do my best no matter the obstacles that laid in my path that would prevent me from continuing to do what I love. 

As I have contemplated on what this experience has meant to me, is simply to never give up on what I am capable of doing while making our society a better place. I have truly loved getting to meet new people on this journey who are passionate, dedicated, hard working, patient and doing so much behind the scenes to make the disability community what it truly can become. I know my life has been forever changed in the sense of what I have accomplished to make UDDC what it is and their work is not even close to over yet as I hope to stay involved as much as I can possible. I am not particularly sure what I could assist or help with down the road but I know there will be more opportunities to expand my horizons while inspiring so many people to do the same. 

Next Chapter - (Mini Sneak Peek)

LONG STORY SHORT----One of my colleagues sent off a reccomendation email considering my name for an opportunity to serve on the Athlete Leadership Council. It is obviously something I have a lot of questions about and can only hope this will be a possibility for me to expand on my leadership skills for the disability community. I am really not sure what else this opportunity if there is one for me to look into that I can be of help to a population that I love so much and hope to continue seeing growth in those who want to make our world a better place. (Stay tuned for more!!!)

I obviously cannot rewrite about my experiences serving on these two governor appointed councils and wish at times I could have been a little more self aware of what was going on, but knowing I had extra heavenly help on the other side made this truly something to keep close to my heart. I know my years serving were not always the happiest of times for me and trusting in my Savior to help me through it was such a blessing. I am not particularly certain what the future holds for me yet and know whatever does happen for me down the road will be amazing. 

Rewrite

SIX YEARS AGO-----I made a decision to apply to volunteer my time on two governor appointed councils and making an impact on the lives of people with disabilities. I knew in my heart that this opportunity was not going to come around in the distant future and wanted to get to know lots more amazing people. I obviously had a lot of questions running through my mind about what was clearly expected of me in the role as a council member among so many other things. I made a good share of mistakes along this journey that helped me draw closer to my Savior than ever before and to know he would take care of everything else brought peace to my heart. I was able to feel his love for me not only as being one of many council members within the disability community, but as one of his daughters who wanted nothing more than to give this her best possible shot. If you have known me long enough, I did shed a lot of tears and let out emotions that easily should have been kept to myself for long periods of time and as I look back on what this experience taught me is that nobody is expected to know everything or let alone be the perfect council member.

I knew coming into this experience was not going to be easy at times and feeling like maybe I should have waited a little bit longer to be a part of them. I also knew that my role on these councils was so very much needed as well as crucial into what had to be done while participating in every meeting. I am truly grateful for the privilege that I had to serve in various leadership roles and stepping up to the plate when things had to be taken care of in a timely manner. I really loved getting to make new friendships with so many people who are passionate about making sure they are being heard and continuing to be an example to those they meet along the way. I did not necessarily expect changes to happen that were clearly meant to help all of us grow while representing organizations who continue to do so much behind the scenes and cheering me on to keep going. 

One of the biggest lessons I took from this experience is doing your best is all that you can do on being a new council member as well as maintaining respectful and professional boundaries with so many people who dedicate their time to making the disability community a better place. I did not necessarily learn this particular skill very fast in any manner, but it did give me this sense of understanding what is socially appropriate and what is not. I most definitely had to give myself some grace in the process of all this and knowing it's only going to help me trust in the Lord even more than I ever thought possible. He made certain that I was not in this journey alone even when times felt unbearable and next to impossible with all I had on my plate. He was truly with me every step of the way and gave me comfort when it was clearly something I needed at a moment when I almost wanted to give up. I am grateful for his role in my life and giving me the chance to try again while striving to be a disciple of him every time I participated in some kind of an event or whatever the case scenario was. 

Looking back on this experience from six years----I have definitely come a long way from where I was prior to applying to be on these councils that serve the disability community. I learned to be patient with myself a lot more and knowing that everything has a timeline made this experience truly something that will forever be close to my heart. This six year journey was not at times anything but easy for me to say the least and knowing I had a good support system to encourage, motivate, believe in me to do things to my full potential among so many others that led me to where I am now. I know this is only going to be the beginning of what is to come next and can only hope for the best in whatever lies ahead for a new chapter waiting to be opened. I will continue advocating as much as I can possible and being the best version of myself that I can become long after this journey concludes. I know there is a lot more good things out there I can hopefully take part of and learn even more about what this beautiful community has to offer. 

Rewrite Lyric Video - Hilary Weeks

(To Be Continued)