An opportunity I'm happy I didn't pass on!
The
International Pageant System – An opportunity I’m happy I didn’t pass on!
Hello, Everyone! In my last
blog post, I shared a message with you about the importance of combining the
abilities we have with the opportunities around us, in an effort to reach our
fullest potential and to be the best versions of ourselves. In this blog, I’d
like to elaborate on that message by sharing with you an opportunity that I’m
happy I didn’t pass on; The International Pageant System.
Exactly 1-year ago, I was
approached by the Directors of the North Dakota International Pageant System
and presented with the opportunity to participate in the 2016 ND International
Pageant, which was only 3-months away. Having no pageant experience, other than
being a judge for 1 other pageant, watching an occasional pageant on television
and the dozen or so times that I’ve watched Miss. Congeniality, I wasn’t
completely familiar with the pageant world, and I will admit that I even had some
misconceptions of what pageants were all about. Because of that, my initial
reaction was to say no thank you to the opportunity. However, after I thought
about it for a few days and did some research on the International Pageant
System, I absolutely fell in love with everything that it stood for, so I began
to consider the opportunity.
The mission of the
International Pageant System is to ‘make a difference’. The system was
developed to support and empower married women, young women and teens by
showcasing their accomplishments and their commitment to family and marriage.
They are also a platform-based system, which means that they focus heavily on
character and on the work that we do. Each participant represents a cause or organization
that they spend their time promoting and bringing awareness to throughout the
year. They look for women who are usually philanthropic-minded and find it
important to make a difference within their communities and within the World as
a whole; hence the International component. One last thing that I find to be
very special about this system is their commitment to their faith and their
belief in God. When I truly began to understand the overall vision and the
values of the International Pageant System, and when I started breaking down
some of those hesitations and misunderstandings that I initially had,
participating seemed like the only natural choice to make, as everything they
stand for are all things that I too believe in and am very passionate about and
committed to.
With that in mind, I began
to look at the abilities and gifts in which God has provided to me. From my
commitment to supporting and empowering women and young ladies, to my passion
of making a difference in the world, and even my devotion to growing in my
faith and living my life through His word, this opportunity seemed to only highlight
my abilities and my gifts. It seemed to be another great way for me to make the
most out of my abilities and to reach my fullest potential by being the best
version of myself. As you already know the end of the story, you know that I,
in fact, chose to say YES! Not knowing what would come of the experience, I
simply chose to be my best self by combining my abilities with an opportunity.
In closing, I leave you
with this; Whatever abilities and gifts you’ve been blessed with, I urge each
and every one of you reading this to commit each and every day of your life to
reaching your fullest potential and to being the best version of yourself by
simply combining your abilities and your gifts with the opportunities around
you. You’re not going to know for sure what the outcome of that opportunity is
going to be, but that’s not the important part. The important part is that
you’re contributing your abilities and your gifts to the world; and therefore,
fulfilling your Purpose!
Until next time, continue
to lead by example and make a difference!
Your Mrs. North Dakota International
2016
Ashley Rae Klinger
“Leading by example for
those around us and making a difference in the lives of others isn’t a hobby;
it’s a Purpose!” ~ Ashley Rae Klinger
#AbilitiesAndOpportunities #CopeWell #CopeWellToLiveWell #LeadByExample #MakeADifference #MrsNDIntl16 #NDIntl16 #ItsHerBrand
#Purpose