He Told You So

The past two weeks have been a reminder that health is a privilege and a blessing that we sometimes take for granted.

Since I was young, I have always loved traveling, meeting new people, and creating an experience everywhere I go. My passion for travel has not faltered, but my body has learned to give me a harsh reality check about the importance of rest. To give you a breakdown of my long and strenuous schedule, I traveled home for a week to attend the WM Phoenix Open. Several flight delays later, I was back at campus for two days to turn around and drive to Philly, fly to Orlando, Florida, and be the course reporter for the Jim Thorpe Invitational. Realistically, my body had not recovered from traveling a few days prior, and I started to feel the effects of it.

After a day and a half in Florida, I flew into Atlanta to meet my team and drive to Birmingham, Alabama to play in our season opener. To make a sad story short, everything was terrible. Chills, nausea, and a banging headache led to some egregious scores and my pride being left in Bama. I was convinced that I could do it all, that I was invincible, and my body proved me wrong. Running on 0 HP and playing in a golf tournament is a horrible mix. I do not recommend trying it, haha!

As human beings, we are constantly learning and evolving, and I learned that maybe I can’t do it all. Crazily enough, my coach and I got into an argument about the various external opportunities I was taking on and how it may not be as beneficial as I saw it in the moment. I know he would never tell me “I told you so” but dang it Taylor, he told you so! Living a life with no regrets is all fun and games until you regret what you thought you wouldn’t. FOMO is a concept, and really who cares?

While at the tournament, I played with the girl who won the tournament outright as an individual (and team) and her family was out watching and supporting her. I think I was giving them a run for their money as they watched me trudge around the course, trying to stop myself from puking after every shot. Her mother approached me and said, “It’s days like this where God tests your character the most, remember you are perfectly imperfect.” Y’all… when I tell you I started CRYING?! In that moment I knew God was trying to get through to me, and this lady did not realize the impact of the words she spoke to me. I am a firm believer that God will never give you too much to handle, which tells me that although I can handle it, God can handle it better. Only God knows how horrible I felt, and I am lucky I did not collapse from sheer exhaustion. There were various red flags surrounding a few experiences I have had in the last few weeks, and looking back, I am frustrated I did not listen to my gut. Now having gone through it, I know I was meant to be everywhere I have travelled. When you are blessed, do not be surprised when the devil is lurking not too far from you.

Stay true to yourself, stay authentic, and listen to your body and your elders. It is okay to not know everything, and it is okay to miss out on opportunities. When you are walking with God, everything that is meant for you will happen because it is ordained. I have learned from this experience and I hope you learn from my mistakes. No matter what, God has got your back.

As always I love you, but Jesus loves you more <3

Verse of the week: Psalm 62:5-7