“Moderation is key.” This might just be my dad’s favorite phrase. Growing up, I didn’t fully understand its importance. Why settle for a little of something good when more is in reach? Why compromise when you believe you’re right? As a kid, my view of life was guided by my immediate thoughts and desires with little room for competing views or long-term thinking. While this approach can work for a time, life is always pushing you forward into the unknown faster than your snap judgements can handle. Learning the art of balance was essential to becoming who I am today.
The true value of balance became apparent to me during high school. Up until then, homework had always been busy work, a mindless task to get out of the way. But, as the work started to get more complex, hobbies became more involved, and clubs and scouting required greater commitment, I was going to need a heavy reevaluation in my approach to time and effort. This wasn’t as simple as changing my habits—it demanded a complete change in mindset.
Admittedly, this was a very difficult change to make, and it didn’t happen overnight. While initial determination sparked my passion to grow, the leaders and mentors I had in my family, scout troop, and school gave me the tools to maintain it in the long term. Scout leaders taught me about living in harmony with nature, emphasizing the need to balance personal goals with the natural world. School and extracurriculars showed me how to balance academics with friends and fun. My family showed me not only how to balance all these pursuits but how to find balance in myself, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
As a Fellow at El Pomar, balance and moderation will be two of my top priorities. I hope to seek mutually beneficial compromises within teams, evaluate problems from multiple perspectives, and ensure the programs and regions I serve all receive the support they need. With the clarity a balanced life provides, I’m able to step into this new chapter with confidence and a commitment to helping others seek it as well.
