What Courage allowed me to do

According to the Urban Dictionary, courage is defined as the mental or moral strength to venture, preserve and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

To me courage means way more than that, courage is something everyone has inside. It took me a while to discover my courage. I never saw myself as courageous until I found pageantry. When I signed up for my first pageant, Miss Teen Maine, I had no idea what I was thinking and I had no idea the experience that awaited me. A few months after I signed up I had this moment and wondered why I had signed up for the competition. I had never done anything like this and wasn't sure what made me do it. Was it to prove to everyone that I was more than my illness? Or was it to prove to myself that I could still do fun things and take a step out of my comfort zone?

In the weeks leading up to the pageant, I started to have this amazing feeling and I was motivated to step out on that stage and show everyone what Miss Teen Kittery was made of. The minute I stepped out on that stage everything changed for me. All my fears were gone and I felt like my old self for the first time in a very long time. That moment on stage I realized that I had found my courage. That courage gave me the ability to walk out on that stage! That courage gave me the most amazing opportunity that led to so many friendships and an amazing experience that I will never forget. The courage I found allowed me to sign up again! I am so grateful that I found my courage. And I hope you find yours.

xoxo

Ella