Fortune Favors the Bold

Summers on a military base often turn out to be the polar opposite of the stereotypical “summer break” advertised by Disney Channel, where popsicles, slip ‘n’ slides, and pool days are replaced with difficult goodbyes, moving trucks, and dingy hotel rooms. The typical summer boredom that sets in for most teenagers in early August is amplified on a military base, merging with lots of the unknown to form a super-obstacle before the next school year. 

If you’ve ever faced the summer reset of moving to a completely new state, country, or even continent, you’ve definitely had your fair share of hearing the benefits of a “fresh start” that it almost begins to lose meaning. What’s the good in starting anew when you liked what you had to leave behind?

In my opinion, the real value in a drastic move doesn’t come from a mindset of building from the ground up, but instead from taking the opportunity to be yourself, but slightly better. The opportunity of new people and a new environment means being more confident, more adventurous, more friendly… so on and so forth. However, by no means would I ever advise anyone to change who they are and become who they think they should be when faced with a new opportunity. Instead, increased productivity and the breaking of bad habits have always been better fostered by being in a new environment, which is exactly the situation a PCS provides for you. 

The quote that has inspired me through most of the unfamiliarities I’ve ever had to face has to be “fortune favors the bold.” Or, more plainly: if you don’t actively take advantage of your situation, be brave, and talk to new people, you won’t get to experience a multitude of interesting connections and opportunities that would be perfect for you, if only you make the first move. Few things in life just show up at your front door, ready for you without any effort. Whereas being proactive opens up a world of people and places.

I wouldn’t be writing these words today if it weren’t for taking the initiative to join BLOOM on a whim in 2024, just because I thought it would be a cool team to be a part of. You never know what butterfly effect being more active in your community (whether that be in-person or even online) will have on your life and its trajectory. 

While I hold the opinion that everyone could benefit from the advice of being emboldened to do new things with confidence, I think it’s something that military families and their children in general need to be reminded of. The resilience it takes to be a military kid is already mind-boggling to many. You’ve faced far more difficult things than being more confident and trying a new experience; having to keep your chin up while you face new things is what being a military child is all about. Even so, sometimes a reminder is necessary.

This fall, whether you’ll be entering a new school or staying at the same one, don’t be the person who remains stagnant and falls into a pattern of known comfort. The constant (relative) chaos that follows military life provides ample opportunity to grow and to be bold in everything you do. Whether this be trying a new sport or club, or reaching out to someone you’ve never talked to, carry yourself with more confidence, and never be afraid to be uncomfortable.

Change comes from being bold and taking your life and actions into your own hands, which is scary. But it takes scary moments to help us grow.