Program Success Fall 2017 | Page 11

WOULD ' VE , COULD ' VE OR SHOULD ' VE :

BY REGINA NUNNALLY
t was a blow to my soul when I didn ' t get accepted into law school . I was 22 years old . I graduated from the University of Florida in 1995 . I intended to go to law school right after college . I went back to Daytona Beach thinking I could get a job , save money and apply to law school . Well , that was another blow to my soul , too . I couldn ' t find work anywhere . I was getting discouraged and then fear set in . Day after day , nothing , nothing , and still nothing ! I failed , was embarrassed , and humbled at the same time . The American dream is turning into a nightmare .
Regina Nunnally Attorney at Law No Regrets Daytona Beach , Florida Fall 2017
Until , I got a knock on the door . The woman at the door was running for city commission for Zone 5 . She gave me information about her campaign . I was sitting home , alone and frustrated . I looked up and spoke out loud ... why is this happening ? Then a thought came to me . " Why sit here and feel sorry for yourself . Volunteer your time and a job will come your waY: ' Work for free ? I needed to pay debts accrued while in college . Really ? It didn ' t sound normal to me but I was obedient , went to her campaign office and offered my services . After several weeks working , I was asked to chair her voting campaign . Me ! Yvonne Scarlett-Golden won the commission and went on to become the first African-American woman to be elected mayor of Daytona Beach .
All the volunteers from her campaign went to another city commission campaign for Zone 6 . I volunteered my services , showed up on time to open the office , took messages , and set up for the volunteers . I never complained . I was helping others , doing something productive with my time . One day , the campaign manager double booked an engagement that created a conflict . Due to this conflict , I was asked to assist the campaign manager . Me , again ! So , I agreed and then I was asked the question ? " How much do you want ?" I was shocked ,
in disbelief and then I was happy . My first job came from Charles Cherry , founder / owner of the Daytona Times .
I was sitting in my home having a pity party . I had hopes , dreams , and expectations . All dashed against the stone of poor planning , at least , so I thought . I looked up , cried out for direction and received it . I stepped out in faith , worked like a paid employee , received favor and met people who made history . I didn ' t sit around waiting for something to happen or waiting for someone to save me . My reward ... was not quitting ! My father taught me this lesson before he died : Finish what you start .
It takes courage not to quit . You see , would ' ve , could ' ve and should ' ve do not catapult you back to the past in order to change the outcome of the present . Hope deferred made my heart sick but my faith and hard work made my heart glad . No regrets . It set me up for what I wanted the most but I gained satisfaction learning that it worked for my good . No regrets . I have experiences on which to reflect when a
challenge comes my way . No regrets . I encourage you to keep moving . Don ' t let bad decisions , negative opinions and disappointments stop you . Learn from them , don ' t repeat them and then teach others . A setback can actually be a setup for a comeback if you don ' t quit ! I am a witness to that . No regrets !
Program Success 11 Fall 2017