out with the old, in with the new.

Today was my last day as the Marketing Specialist at the technology company I've been working for. After a sweet little vacation to the east coast to visit my parents with my husband, I'll return on Wednesday fully dedicated to Wonderfully Made as the Director of Marketing.

Through a tumultuous couple of months filled with tears and frustration, I had the opportunity to ask myself some important questions: What am I best equipped to do? What are my core strengths and passions? What am I working toward? What is work worth doing?

I realized that my deep passion for empowering young women was not something that everyone had. I came to see that although I have knowledge and experience in marketing, I didn't need to be working for a technology company to prove myself in the business world. I can have a career in marketing and contribute to a cause I care about.

I've been volunteering with Wonderfully Made for a year and a half, and although I desperately wanted it, I never had the right opportunity to dive in and commit myself full-time. Until now, that is. At the end of the day, we have no idea how long we will live or what tomorrow holds. If we try to be something we're not or do the wrong kind of work, it is a disservice to ourselves and to those we work with.

All that said, I am beyond excited to begin my new role at Wonderfully Made. I know there are amazing things to come!

If you could do anything in the world for work, what would you do?

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morning renewal.

I love mornings. They are certainly my favorite time of day, and what I look forward to every night as I fall asleep. As my dear friend Kenna once said to me, "It's as if you wait all night for morning to come." It's sort of silly, but also somewhat true.

I like mornings for a variety of reasons: breakfast, crisp air, hot beverages. But the main reason is the feeling of renewal. Each day is fresh and brand new. What happened in the past is gone, and you have nothing but the future ahead.

We no longer need to give in to our bad habits or the sin we seem to fall into over and over again. With a new day, there is grace and the opportunity to take another step toward the women we were created to be.

When do you feel most renewed?

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we are the future.

A couple days ago I opened my inbox to find an email from Karli with a short note and a link. "This is so powerful!" she said. "Reminded me of you, my beautiful friends."

I waited until this morning to open it, and it could not have spoken to my heart more deeply. It's a video and transcript of Sheryl Sandberg's speech at Barnard College's 119th Commencement Ceremony, and it's all about the ladies. Below is the video, as well as the parts I found most inspiring. I hope they touch your heart as well, because we are the future.

On changing the world: So, the question is, what are you going to do with it? What will you do with this education you worked so hard to achieve? What in the world needs to change, and what part do you plan on playing in changing it?

On being passionate: ...you’re going to lean way into your career. You’re going to find something you love doing, and you’re going to do it with gusto. You’re going to pick your field and you’re going to ride it all the way to the top.

On believing in yourself: So, to all of you, if you remember nothing else today, remember this: You are awesome. I’m not suggesting you be boastful. No one likes that in men or women. But I am suggesting that believing in yourself is the first necessary step to coming even close to achieving your potential.

On choosing your path: Of course not everyone wants to jump into the workforce and rise to the top. Life is going to bring many twists and turns, and each of us, each of you, have to forge your own path. I have deep respect for my friends who make different choices than I do, who choose the really hard job of raising children full time, who choose to go part time, or who choose to pursue more nontraditional goals. These are choices that you may make some day, and these are fine choices.

On work worth doing: What about the rat race in the first place? Is it worthwhile? Or are you just buying into someone else’s definition of success? Only you can decide that, and you’ll have to decide it over and over and over. But if you think it’s a rat race, before you drop out, take a deep breath. Maybe you picked the wrong job. Try again. And then try again. Try until you find something that stirs your passion, a job that matters to you and matters to others. It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.

On perseverance: Fortune does favor the bold, and I promise that you will never know what you’re capable of unless you try.

How do you want to change the world?

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