Mariah's Spiritual Journey

Mariah Kuba is a beautiful name that means "The Lord is my teacher." Her upbringing was deeply rooted in a faith-based household where regular Sunday church attendance was a norm. However, her personal spiritual journey truly began when she reached the age of 13. At that pivotal moment, Mariah underwent baptism, marking the initiation of her spiritual connection with God. Nevertheless, her path took a challenging turn during her teenage years, when she began engaging in behaviors that contradicted her faith. Activities like not always surrounding herself with the right environment or being disobedient all lead to the misalignment of her identity within Christ internally misaligning her identity with who she is. Later on, It wasn't until her freshman year of college that Mariah started to realign her life with God's plan. During this period, she recognized the increasing need for God's presence in her life, embarking on a journey of spiritual growth. Every day, she recognizes and gains deeper insights into the essence of God's teachings and love, and she consciously allows God to guide and shape her life, one step at a time.

Discovering True Passion

Mariah is currently a junior at Cal State San Bernardino, majoring in psychology. Her academic journey started with aspirations of becoming a nurse, a career that had appealed to her since childhood and throughout her high school years. This choice was partly influenced by her family's medical background and her desire to make her parents proud. However, within the first week of college, while sitting in a science class surrounded by highly dedicated peers, Mariah had an epiphany that this career did not align with what she knew to be true within herself. Sometimes in life, we believe we know what we want, but it's only through experiencing those situations that we discover our true desires. Mariah's ability to recognize that nursing was not her calling and to take a step back to reassess her interests was a courageous decision. This introspection led her to psychology, a field where she found not only a sense of purpose but also a deep passion. Psychology resonated with her on multiple levels, allowing her to invest her time, love, and heart into what she believed to be her future. In the future, Mariah aspires to become either a marriage or family therapist or a forensic psychologist, two intriguing career paths that reflect her desire to bring communities together and delve into the minds of individuals who may be considered troubled. Her parents wholeheartedly support her decision to pursue psychology, recognizing her passion for understanding people. 

Mariah's Charismatic Self

When asked to describe herself in three words, Mariah chose "charismatic," "passionate," and "loving." Her friends, on the other hand, described her as "empathetic," "caring," and "kind." These words collectively depict a person who goes above and beyond, not only in her relationships with others but also in building a strong connection with herself and the supportive community that admires her dedication to success, love, and personal growth. One area where Mariah acknowledges she is still evolving is vulnerability, a challenge many of us face. However, she believes that embracing vulnerability allows us to explore our emotions and, despite occasional discomfort, fosters a deeper connection with ourselves and others. Mariah possesses a unique ability to appreciate life's simple pleasures, from the choice of emojis next to her name to returning home after a long day to find the dishes she left behind washed. She reminds us that these small gestures often carry significant meaning.

Conclusion

Mariah's life exemplifies the belief that God has the power to shape our circumstances and sometimes the things we find ourselves wanting to do might not always be the thing that is for us. Finding meaning in every situation gives us the space to reflect and think about what it is that God truly wants from us in our lives. Mariah's journey is a testament to her resilience, love, and determination to seek the best for herself, making her a source of inspiration and growth for those around her. And at the end of the day, It's not always about the hand we're dealt but about how we choose to play it.