what a cruise taught me about college graduation

I'm officially a college graduate. I'm still getting used to the reality of that statement! May 5, 2013 was an exciting day as one chapter in my story came to a close and a new chapter began. To celebrate, my sister and I set sail on the Norwegian Sky for the Bahamas.

On the last night of the cruise, I sat on Deck 12, journaling some thoughts about graduation, next steps, and this crazy, exciting new season I was stepping into. One big idea stuck out to me: graduating from college is a lot like stepping onto a ship and sailing into new, untouched territory. It's parking your car, and stepping away from a way of traveling that was extremely familiar...and completely defined by guidelines and mile markers.  Take a peek into my journal to see what I mean...

A thin layer of salty sand cloaks my sun-kissed skin, the ocean's parting gift at the end of my Bahamian vacation. When I lick my lips, my tongue is greeted by this sugar of the sea, lingering warm and natural—as if it should always be there. I'm lounging poolside, the final rays of sunshine penetrating my skin, whispering, "just a little bit more." 

The ocean seems endless, ongoing, and unpredictable. From my vantage point, it doesn't seem like there's a path to follow...there are no highway signs, no double yellow lines dictating which side of the road you travel on. The ocean, in stark contrast to a road, is open and free, an empty, inviting slate. Yet, in what seems like a giant bowl of bright, blue kool-aid that we could get lost in, we always ended up where we needed to be, settling in a port, ready for the day's sunny excursion. At the end of the day, the control room of the ship, hidden and unseen by the average eye, is what guided the Norwegian Sky to each port of call. Without our Captain, we wouldn't have reached our destinations safely.

I know there are many technicalities to this, but this is all I see: the vast horizon and endless possibilities. I can't help but think of this new chapter, or season, of my life as something like this. I'm sailing in the midst of bright, huge territory, where the opportunities and possibilities seem massive and endless. Exciting and terrifying all at the same time. In the end, the core foundation to this season is trusting God to guide me and learning to follow His markings. It's tasting every flavor, savoring every moment, and drinking deep the rich friendships surrounding me. It's gazing at the horizon with all the hope and intensity I can muster—and loving every minute of the journey.

Welcome to the journey of uncharted territory. When I walked across that stage in the O'Connell Center, I ditched the road map and signs along the highway. This is a season to embrace a God who's bigger than what I can see, and trust that He knows what's best.

World Water Day Photo Recap

If you've been traveling with me for a while, you know that one of my favorite organizations is charity: water. Today, myself and several friends spread the word at the University of Florida about what charity: water is doing to end the water crisis. Learn how you can partner with charity: water and help END the water crisis here! Check out more photos from World Water Day!

Radio Shows & Magnetic Parties

 

Working hard preparing for the Flip the Magnet launch at Citizen's Circle!
(L to R: Cliff Craig, Emily Cummins, Ryan Kirby)

The first 16 days of 2013 have been nothing short of exciting and full of new experiences.

For starters, I had my LAST first day of school. Wow. I graduate from the University of Florida in less than four months. Time is flying! 

Outside of my typical college kid life, both myself and fellow Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator intern, Cliff Craig, are investing our time, passion and energy into creating a movement in our community. What do I mean by that? We're Flipping the Magnet of Ocala. Every community is like a magnet in that it either attracts or repels students. Sadly, many in my generation view Ocala as the negative side of the magnet. The Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator's dream is to change that perspective. 

Our mission is two-fold: identify promising entrepreneurs and help them create successful businesses. Each Spring, nearly 3,000 students graduate from a Marion County High School and go off to college or the workforce. That is awesome and something to truly celebrate. But the story doesn't stop there. Sadly, the majority of those 3,000 aspiring, talented individuals don't return to Ocala, the place they call home. They don't see Marion County as a place of opportunity. 

Talk about a paradigm shift. Opportunity is what you see—or rather, what you choose to see—and I see amazing potential in Ocala. We as a generation must choose to invest in the community that has invested so much into us, step in, and change culture as we know it.

To launch this Flip the Magnet movement, we're hosting a party in the heart of our community at Citizen's Circle on Friday, January 25 at 7:00 PM. Click here for all the details & to RSVP.

To add to my new experiences, I was honored to be a guest on WOCA's radio show, the Voice of Ocala, this week! Thank you Buddy Martin and the team for inviting me to represent the Ocala Power Plant & invite Ocala to partner with us in Flipping the Magnet!

stripping off the rags

I have clothed you with purpose.

Those words make my heart melt. Yesterday, I was reading Beth Moore's book, So Long, Insecurity, and in the particular chapter I was honing in on, Beth focused on Proverbs 31v25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity." Hang tight for a moment while I give some context to my opening statement. She. Is. Clothed. With. Strength. And. Dignity. Here, Beth reveals the fact that the majority of times we feel insecure come from when we feel overexposed...uncovered...at risk for someone to come along and see us for who we really are:

"I have come to a place where I'm willing to be transparent with my insecurity, but I find great relief that human eyes have to see it through the filter—the clothing—of my God-given strength and dignity. I don't have to stand before you or anybody else in total emotional nakedness. I have a scriptural covering that gives me the courage to expose my most personal self."

What I love about this truthful awakening is the fact that I am covered and I am clothed, made complete by God. He prepares me for the occasion before me.

This morning while taking communion at Church of Hope, I spent a few silent moments with God. What took my breath away was what I heard. No, I didn't hear a shout or an audible confirmation through a microphone. But I heard distinctly and clearly one sentence that's been on repeat in my brain since: I have clothed you with purpose.

In that moment, I felt God's future bursting into my present. Just minutes before, I was challenged with one question: what is it that I'm not trusting God in? Ouch. Here is where I usually try to justify my attempts at controlling a destination, when God has, in reality, called me to a direction. Living in the land between is a cocktail of adventure, opportunity, fun, and fear all mingled with emotions that make you feel like you're on a roller coaster. And sometimes that makes me feel overexposed, unprepared, and naked.

But trusting God and brokenness go hand-in-hand. It isn't until I come to the end of me, until I see my roller coaster mixture of fear as it is—a false attempt at control—and place that jumbled mess in the hands of my Creator, that the aroma of me is fully enjoyed. You see, I'm beginning to learn that the stuff to really be enjoyed in life...and I mean the stuff that life is truly made of—real, lasting, genuine joy, hope, love, confidence and strength—is found in brokenness, despair and hurt. I'm no Debbie-Downer and I'm not advocating living in self-degradation. I'm just saying it's time to stop trying to clothe ourselves with decaying, worn-out rags. It's time to strip the rags off and allow Christ to clothe us.

In the wandering of life and in the broken moments of despair, I come to the very end of me. I see me for who I really am and come to truly understand that if Jesus doesn't show up, it's game over. It's in that kind of trust that a joy I can't even explain comes pouring out.

This morning, in my own life, this simply looked like a girl opening up her hands to Jesus, asking Him to fill her. Stripping off my filthy, worn-out rags of fear and control, Jesus reached down, grabbed my hand and whispered, "I have clothed you with purpose." My story is headed somewhere and I'm going to be ok. Do I have the answers to what that somewhere looks like? Nope. The beautiful thing is I don't need them to thrive. I am clothed with purpose. My story is headed somewhere.

there's just something special about seeing your writing in print

Sometimes I just like to hold things. I'm a nerd when it comes to social media and all things technology, but I love the tangible feeling of printed words between my fingers. And today, I held my VERY OWN PUBLISHED WORDS!

I'm extremely excited to have an article featured in Best Version Media's January issue of S.E. Neighbors, a publication in Ocala, Florida.

Best Version Media is an incredible organization based on one principle foundation: sharing people's stories. This month, they shared mine. And I'm deeply honored.

Best Version Media has also given the Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator the opportunity to publish a  monthly  magazine serving as the "hub" for all things innovation in Marion County. As the communications intern at the Ocala Power Plant, I have the privilege of serving as Innovation Ocala Magazine's Content Coordinator and have loved learning the ins and outs of magazine publication as well as the opportunity to share countless stories with my community.

Take a peek at my article below!

Why Ocala? Why Not Ocala?

By: Emily Cummins

With college graduation looming in the horizon, I’m beginning to grow accustomed to the typical questions that keep coming my way; however, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the shock on people’s faces after I tell them my post-graduation plans.

As a 21-year-old, soon-to-be University of Florida graduate, I’m scanning the job market, sifting my passions through available job openings. In the midst of multiple variables, the one thing I’m confident of is that I want to live in Ocala.

This is when I typically receive that shock-and-awe response. Why would a young college graduate want to come back to Ocala? Are there even any opportunities for a young person like me?

Opportunity is what you see. And I see plenty.

Ocala is more than the place I call home. It’s really where I began growing into who I wanted to be. In the middle of my junior year of high school, I moved to Ocala from South Florida. Jumping into classes and the swim team at Forest High School, I quickly began embracing the horse capitol of the world. The idea of living in a thriving community with a small town feel appealed to me, and as high school graduation approached, I didn’t want to leave. After taking a tour of the College of Central Florida (CFCC at the time), I knew I was right where I belonged. Not only was I impressed by the degree of professionalism I saw at CF, but I connected with the school in a way that I haven’t been able to do at any other institution. Memories that I will cherish for a lifetime were made there and I didn’t have to go searching around the world to find them.

Fast-forward to today. I’m standing at a crossroads that could lead in multiple directions. The majority of my friends are pursuing what many perceive to be the “it” career by applying for jobs in New York City, Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. Have I seen incredible opportunities in those places? Absolutely. But my heart just keeps coming back to Marion County.

When I think about the life in front of me, I see an opportunity to make a difference and be a force of change in a place that I love. I want to be a part of something larger than myself and create a sense of culture that many only dream about.

I’m confident that as I walk across that graduation stage in a few short months, I don’t need to go searching for a community that will embrace a young generation seeking to make a difference. I’ve already found it, and I happen to call that place home.