The Night That Changed Everything

Written By Kelci

Quote from Lao Tzu, “What feels like the end is often the beginning” on a letter board in front of a dandelion knit blanket.

Editor’s note: Originally written on May 12th, 2014. This post continues to evolve as I do, updated to reflect growth, gratitude, and perspective gained since then.

Welcome, hopeful hearts and bold thinkers.

Some moments stand still, not for their noise or brilliance, but for the quiet way they mark change. One such moment closed out an unforgettable school year: a celebration not just of leadership, but of growth, community, and becoming.  

It was a night themed by decades, filled with good food, music, laughter, and quiet celebrations we all had built together A final gathering honoring student organizations and the people who brought them to life. I hadn’t planned on attending, but I’m grateful I did. Looking back, it wasn’t just a party. It was a pause. A breath. A silent thank you for the season we had shared.  

When the night ended, emotions surfaced. Reality soon settled in: change was near. Graduation for some. New roles for others. Quiet goodbyes from those moving on. I remember feeling hesitant for that shift. But maybe we’re never truly ready for the things that make us grow the most.

That year taught me what it meant to be a part of something larger than myself. It opened doors I hadn’t even known to look for. I gained confidence, found community, and uncovered pieces of who I was becoming. That experience didn’t just shape that chapter of my life, it still echoes today.

So, if you’re reading this and feel unsure about your next step, consider this: Try. Join a group, take a class, follow a curiosity. The “what ifs” quiet down when you choose to explore. Involvement doesn’t just fill your schedule, it fills your life with unexpected lessons, meaningful connections, and growth that won’t fit neatly onto a resume.

You won’t just collect memories. You’ll discover more of yourself.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

#NewPost “Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes” now live Where fire meets ocean and ancient navigators once read the stars to chart their way across the sea, these countries tell tales of voyages and resilience In this Around the World chapt
#NewPost “Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes” now live Where fire meets ocean and ancient navigators once read the stars to chart their way across the sea, these countries tell tales of voyages and resilience In this Around the World chapter, we learn about these countries carry legacies of strength, rich traditions, and deep-rooted connection to both land and water ✈️: 🇳🇷 => 🇳🇿 => 🇳🇺 => 🇵🇼 => 🇵🇬 => 🇼🇸 If you’ve visited, traveled through, or lived in any of the above countries, I’d love to hear your stories. But first, comment the flag below 👇 • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #GlobalTravel #International #LearnTheWorld #DiscoverTheWorld #WorldGeography #Quote #Bloggers #WorldCultures #CulturalAwareness #Globalization #Oceanic #IslandNations #GlobalAwareness #GlobalPerspective
#NewPost “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos” From vast reefs to open seas, these nations breathe with rhythm of the Pacific A world of island nations and oceanic wonders ✈️: 🇦🇺 => 🇨🇰 => 🇫🇯 => 🇰🇮 => 🇲🇭 => 🇫🇲 •
#NewPost “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos” From vast reefs to open seas, these nations breathe with rhythm of the Pacific A world of island nations and oceanic wonders ✈️: 🇦🇺 => 🇨🇰 => 🇫🇯 => 🇰🇮 => 🇲🇭 => 🇫🇲 • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #Travel #Explore #Adventure #TravelTheWorld #ExploreTheWorld #AdventureTheWorld #GlobalPerspective #GlobalAwareness #Globalization #GoGlobal #CulturalAwareness #Culture #LearnTheWorld #WorldGeography #Oceania #DiscoverOceanic #SmallIslands
#NewPost “Carnival & Constitution” Where grand republics meet carnival islands, these nations show North America’s and the Caribbean’s many faces From vibrant streets pushing with beats to historic halls where laws are s
#NewPost “Carnival & Constitution” Where grand republics meet carnival islands, these nations show North America’s and the Caribbean’s many faces From vibrant streets pushing with beats to historic halls where laws are shaped, this leg of the journey weaves together rhythm, legacy, and identity ✈️: 🇰🇳 => 🇱🇨 => 🇻🇨 => 🇹🇹 => 🇺🇸 If you lived in, traveled through, or were born in one of these places, comment the flag below! I’d love to hear your experience • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #CulturalExperience #Culture #GlobalExperience #GlobalPerspective #GlobalAwareness #Globalization #ExperienceNorthAmerica #ExperienceCaribbean #DiscoverNorthAmerica #DiscoverCaribbean #NorthAmerica #Caribbean #Travel #Explore #Adventure #WorldGeography #LearnTheWorld #Traveling #Trip
#NewPost “Temples & Tropics” (now live!) From Mayan ruins to island songs, these nations hold ancient stories beneath the sun ✈️: 🇭🇹 => 🇭🇳 => 🇯🇲 => 🇲🇽 => 🇳🇮 => 🇵🇦 If you’ve visited, lived in, or we
#NewPost “Temples & Tropics” (now live!) From Mayan ruins to island songs, these nations hold ancient stories beneath the sun ✈️: 🇭🇹 => 🇭🇳 => 🇯🇲 => 🇲🇽 => 🇳🇮 => 🇵🇦 If you’ve visited, lived in, or were born in any of these countries, comment the flag below! • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #GlobalTravel #GlobalExploration #GlobalAwareness #GlobalPerspective #Global #Travel #Explore #Adventure #LearnTheWorld #WorldGeography #DiscoverNorthAmerica #DiscoverTheCaribbean #NorthAmerica #TheCaribbean #CulturalInsight #Culture
#NewPost “Salsa & Sunshine” (link in bio) Caribbean shores and central rhythms weave cultures that dance far beyond borders ✈️: 🇨🇺 => 🇩🇲 => 🇩🇴 => 🇸🇻 => 🇬🇩 => 🇬🇹 If you’re from, visited, or lived in
#NewPost “Salsa & Sunshine” (link in bio) Caribbean shores and central rhythms weave cultures that dance far beyond borders ✈️: 🇨🇺 => 🇩🇲 => 🇩🇴 => 🇸🇻 => 🇬🇩 => 🇬🇹 If you’re from, visited, or lived in any of these countries, comment the flag below 👇 • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #Travel #Adventure #Explore #Journey #Experience #WorldGeography #Culture #WorldPerspective #GlobalAwareness #Global #International #NorthAmerica #Caribbean #SalsaAndSunshine #AroundTheWorld #DiscoverNorthAmerica #DiscoverTheCaribbean #LearnTheWorld #AllCountries
#NewPost “Islands & Maple Leaves” (link in bio) From tropical isles to northern forests, these nations tell North America’s story in many accents ✈️: 🇦🇬 => 🇧🇸 => 🇧🇧 => 🇧🇿 => 🇨🇦 => 🇨🇷 • •&b
#NewPost “Islands & Maple Leaves” (link in bio) From tropical isles to northern forests, these nations tell North America’s story in many accents ✈️: 🇦🇬 => 🇧🇸 => 🇧🇧 => 🇧🇿 => 🇨🇦 => 🇨🇷 • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #GlobalPerspective #GlobalAwareness #LearnTheWorld #KnowTheWorld #WorldGeography #Travel #Explore #Adventure #Culture #WorldCulture #Global #International
#NewPost Some places wear their past like a crown, and others carry it like a prayer. Today’s chapter of the Around the World Series isn’t about size, but about symbolism. Three nations. Infinite legacy. New post live. ✈️: 🇺🇦 =&gt
#NewPost Some places wear their past like a crown, and others carry it like a prayer. Today’s chapter of the Around the World Series isn’t about size, but about symbolism. Three nations. Infinite legacy. New post live. ✈️: 🇺🇦 => 🇬🇧 => 🇻🇦 • • • • • #GlobalPerspective #GlobalAwareness #Travel #Explore #Adventure #WorldJourney #Traveling #Europe #EU #DiscoverTheWorld #LearnTheWorld
#NewPost ✨ A Time For Thanks ✨ Not everything that ends is a loss. Not every silence is empty. Sometimes, when you let go, you finally make space to return to yourself. This season I’m learning to be present with what is, and to honor every
#NewPost ✨ A Time For Thanks ✨ Not everything that ends is a loss. Not every silence is empty. Sometimes, when you let go, you finally make space to return to yourself. This season I’m learning to be present with what is, and to honor everything that got me here. A few lessons, a few shifts, and one small offering to share. I’m giving away an original 5x7 piece called “Winter Celebration.” A painting born from everything this season brings forward. To enter: ✨Either like this post 💫 Or on Facebook through my Inspire Those Who Inspire You page’s “A Time For Thanks” post And you’ll be entered into the raffle to win this piece (2nd slide) & collaboration with @itwiy.art Open to U.S. and U.S. territories. Giveaway ends Dec 7th, 2025 • • • • • #giveaway #painting #WinterCelebration #CreativeGiveaway #ThanksgivingEnergy #StillnessPerks #Authenticity #OriginalArt #NewBlogPost #ATimeForThanks #Reflection #Thanks #Thanksgiving
#NewPost “Alps & Iberian Suns” Where snow whispers and flamenco echoes, you’ll find something unexpected. Six countries. Two climates. Countless contrasts. Today’s chapter in the Around the World Series takes you where
#NewPost “Alps & Iberian Suns” Where snow whispers and flamenco echoes, you’ll find something unexpected. Six countries. Two climates. Countless contrasts. Today’s chapter in the Around the World Series takes you where bold meets balanced, and the landscapes aren’t the only one with layers. ✈️: 🇷🇸 => 🇸🇰 => 🇸🇮 => 🇪🇸 => 🇸🇪 => 🇨🇭 • • • • • #Travel #Adventure #ExploreTheWorld #LearnTheWorld #DiscoverEurope #EU #WorldGeography #Culture #GlobalAwareness #GlobalPerspective #Explore #TravelTheWorld
#NewPost “Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes” now live Where fire meets ocean and ancient navigators once read the stars to chart their way across the sea, these countries tell tales of voyages and resilience In this Around the World chapt #NewPost “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos” From vast reefs to open seas, these nations breathe with rhythm of the Pacific A world of island nations and oceanic wonders ✈️: 🇦🇺 => 🇨🇰 => 🇫🇯 => 🇰🇮 => 🇲🇭 => 🇫🇲 • #NewPost “Carnival & Constitution” Where grand republics meet carnival islands, these nations show North America’s and the Caribbean’s many faces From vibrant streets pushing with beats to historic halls where laws are s #NewPost “Temples & Tropics” (now live!) From Mayan ruins to island songs, these nations hold ancient stories beneath the sun ✈️: 🇭🇹 => 🇭🇳 => 🇯🇲 => 🇲🇽 => 🇳🇮 => 🇵🇦 If you’ve visited, lived in, or we #NewPost “Salsa & Sunshine” (link in bio) Caribbean shores and central rhythms weave cultures that dance far beyond borders ✈️: 🇨🇺 => 🇩🇲 => 🇩🇴 => 🇸🇻 => 🇬🇩 => 🇬🇹 If you’re from, visited, or lived in #NewPost “Islands & Maple Leaves” (link in bio) From tropical isles to northern forests, these nations tell North America’s story in many accents ✈️: 🇦🇬 => 🇧🇸 => 🇧🇧 => 🇧🇿 => 🇨🇦 => 🇨🇷 • •&b #NewPost Some places wear their past like a crown, and others carry it like a prayer. Today’s chapter of the Around the World Series isn’t about size, but about symbolism. Three nations. Infinite legacy. New post live. ✈️: 🇺🇦 =&gt #NewPost ✨ A Time For Thanks ✨ Not everything that ends is a loss. Not every silence is empty. Sometimes, when you let go, you finally make space to return to yourself. This season I’m learning to be present with what is, and to honor every #NewPost “Alps & Iberian Suns” Where snow whispers and flamenco echoes, you’ll find something unexpected. Six countries. Two climates. Countless contrasts. Today’s chapter in the Around the World Series takes you where
Kelci

Hi, I’m Kelci — a wanderer of thoughts, collector of moments, and believer in the quiet power of truth. I write to make sense of the mess, to find meaning in the mundane, and to honor the beauty in being fully human. Inspire Those Who Inspire You is my love letter to those who’ve felt too much, hoped too hard, and dared to keep going anyway. You’re not alone here—and that matters.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelcihogue/
Previous

What Time Taught Me
Next

Bittersweet Goodbyes