Be a Watermelon in a Pumpkin Patch…

It’s hard to believe that this time next week I will be back in Atlanta. Where has the time gone? I’ve enjoyed every minute of every day here in Cape Town. From the new friends I’ve made to the lessons I’ve learned and the activities I’ve done, I’ve challenged myself in ways I did not think possible and hope that the personal growth I’ve gained on this trip continues to develop once I return home. This trip has made me question a lot about who I am and what I’m capable of.

A common theme I’ve thoroughly enjoyed here and learned a lot from is the power of WOW. Having that WOW factor that sets you apart from everyone else and raising the bar of expectations. It’s about doing more than what is asked because you simply want to rather than doing something for the sole purpose of recognition. WOW is excellence in anything you do. It’s about being impressive and making a difference that truly counts. Personally I think the WOW factor is what turns a good leader into a great leader.

Random story, but one of my friends from home once randomly joked with me, saying, “You are like a watermelon in a pumpkin patch.” At first I thought the statement was incredibly absurd and pointless but for someone reason when we learned about WOW last week this saying came to mind. So, my metaphorical definition of WOW is: to be a watermelon in a pumpkin patch. Seriously, if you saw a watermelon growing in a pumpkin patch wouldn’t your initial reaction be: “WOW!”? Realistically, however, having that WOW factor means standing out in some way that is different than the norm. May seem crazy, but there are too many people who are easily influenced by the people they are surrounded by. If there is anything my parents taught me over the past twenty years that reminds me to have that WOW factor is to stick to my core values. That may seem a little off topic, but for me, knowing what my core values are and making them a solid foundation to live on ultimately serve as guidance that give me the competence to make independent, confident decisions that aren’t influenced by others and remind me to do more than what is expected of me.

-Laura Dunlap