I sat down at my computer to create an ad for my Chorale. . .so, naturally, I thought now would be a great time to write a blog.

My junior year in high school I had one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Mrs. Andes taught AP US History and I can still sing the song she taught us to remember the Bill of Rights. I’ll spare you that, though. I’ll confess that I don’t remember much, especially about high school. I do, however, remember the following vividly.

Our history class was having a party at Mrs. Andes’ house. It was March, I had no swimsuit, but naturally I ended up in the pool. Since I was ill-prepared to swim, I stood at the back door, fully clothed and dripping wet, yelling for Mrs. Andes to bring me a towel. She looked at me, and said, “Emilee, you can come in. It’s only water”. 16-year-old me couldn’t possibly fathom those words would stick with me for (almost) 12 years.

As I navigate life, I’m realizing I kind of tend to overreact. (No comments from the peanut gallery, if you please). I kind of, maybe, get excited easily which works both ways. I get excited about good things, but then I also get excited about not-so-good things. These are the things that make me panic. The things that cause me to over-analyze. The things that cause me to project emotions others are feeling about other situations onto myself. I worry internally until I can’t keep it in any longer, then I let my worry spill out.

The past few weeks, months really, have had me in a constant state of internal worry for various reasons. Today, that worry spilled out. After that worry spilled out, I remembered Mrs. Andes screaming from the living room, “Emilee! It’s only water!”
I’m learning that life is about navigating the fine, fine line (Cue Avenue Q) of learning what is water and what isn’t.

Maybe I’m a slow learner.
Maybe I’m right on time.
Maybe none of that matters, as long we keep moving forward.