A Letter of Appreciation

I am entering a busy, but exciting time in my life. I turn 25 in a few days and I am graduating from my master’s degree in less than a month. When I am busy and find myself going through the motions, I stop to take a breath and consider what I’m grateful for. It’s usually the beauty of nature that captivates me, but it’s also the love I feel from others on a daily basis. So I wanted to take this moment to thank God, my family, friends, support group, professors, and my blog readers for your love and support along the way.

Four years ago around this time, I started feeling sick. I was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which falls under the category of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). I was in my final year of undergrad and just trying to make it to graduation. Getting an MBA was always a dream of mine, especially when I watched my brother walk across the stage obtaining his MBA ten years ago. In fact, I found some of my goals that I wrote back in 2017 and one of them was to continue on to get my MBA. That reminded me to be grateful for the dream I am living right now that I always envisioned for myself.

When I got sick, grad school became a distant thought. It no longer seemed like a viable option – I wasn’t even sure I could get through the rest of my undergrad. I took a year off from school to focus on my health. In that time, I was able to get my disease under control and I started a support group which celebrates two years this month. It is an accomplishment I am most proud of. I have been able to meet such amazing people who I know I can rely on for help and comfort when I am struggling.

It’s no secret that my diagnosis changed the trajectory of my life and my passions. This blog has allowed me to be vulnerable and raise awareness for this terrible disease. It only strengthens my next dream to start a non-profit helping people with IBD.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons throughout my time in the MBA program. There are three things listed below that I have not only learned in the classroom, but in my professional work life and personal life.

1. Always take responsibility for your actions. Own up to your mistakes. Admit when you are wrong.
2. Keep an open mind in everything you do.   
3. Make meaningful connections because you want to. Everything in life is a choice.

The MBA program has allowed me to grow as a person and become a better, more vocal leader. It led me to my new passion for helping people who are sick just like me. It hasn’t always been an easy ride – especially this final semester, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without my loved ones. I want to give a special shout out to my parents who I have a special bond with. They were with me every step of the way when I was at my sickest and I can’t imagine that being easy for a parent to see. They love me unconditionally and even still allow me to come over for dinner a few nights a week.

I am proud to say that I will continue working at UNR for the MBA program, but I will be adding a bit more to my plate next semester as I take on teaching an undergraduate course in business communication. I’m very excited for the new adventures and opportunities that will come my way this next year. I definitely feel something special brewing for my twenty-fifth year of life.

Thank you all for your love and support! It doesn’t go unnoticed.