The Journey to the Crown

I believe that oftentimes our journey through pageantry is much like our journey through life. People come into our lives not just to learn from us but to teach us, and if we walk through life with our eyes closed tightly then we may just miss the lesson. Last week Sarah Bazey, an amazing woman was crowned Mrs. International and her story is one of courage, strength, and compassion. When I met Sarah, I knew that her journey was to teach me something amazing which would ultimately lead me to dream bigger than I have ever dreamt before. As a result of a helicopter crash, Sarah has endured more than many people will ever endure in 3 lifetimes but when she speaks, she shares strength and optimism. Meeting Sarah was one of my life moments that made me truly respect the power of the human spirit, and there was no doubt in my mind that God placed her in pageantry so she could share her positive energy, her optimistic attitude, and her grace so others could see themselves through her eyes. If she can view her accident and her accomplishments through personal opportunities to succeed, then there was something that I could see within myself that would push the boundaries of even my own expectations. Now more than ever before I want to dream bigger, love harder, and inspire others greater than I have ever done before. Because of her journey, I believe that Sarah had a greater calling to become Mrs. International through the moments in her life that she created herself to be a role model, mentor, and inspiration. Allowing us to be a part of her journey I feel was not to be taught by us - but instead to teach us. Like so many incredible women who win pageants, I believe that this was Sarah’s journey to win Mrs. International and her allowing us to all be a part of the process was not necessarily for her to learn from us but rather to teach us. As we all earn the opportunity to share in one another’s journey, it is important to remember that the honor of the human fight through struggles and triumph lies not in our own glory but to the glory of the person who has battled to overcome a helicopter crash, a battle with cancer, or a loss of a loved one. We are all merely instruments in the journey to help create the melody of the song – we are not the song. To each and every person who chooses to share their song to honor the human spirit and inspire each other to become greater than we ever thought…congratulations. This is truly the journey through pageantry.