Flying into uncharted waters

Today is my mother's birthday and tonight at 7pm I will be defending the first three chapters of my dissertation. This has been a long time coming and yet I am anxious. I know that I know my material and have practiced my presentation over and over again. So why is there a little bit of nagging doubt in the back of my mind? Why is so easy to believe that I could blow this and have to do it over? Why isn't is as easy to think that I can do this because I have worked so hard and that I deserve this?

Maybe because knowing that I got this feels a little like bragging. It feels a bit less humbled. Maybe right now I am thinking that someone else should be telling my story. Why am I not comfortable telling my own story? Why do I feel that having someone else tell it makes it more true, more right?

I am flying into uncharted waters and that is a good thing. I am telling my own story. No one can tell it better. And it is my right. After tonight, I will be one step closer to becoming Dr. Walker. Yes, I will because I worked hard and I got this.

"Only by owning who and what you are can you step into the fullness of life"

-Oprah