"Love consists in leaving the loved one space to be themselves while providing the security within which that self may flourish."
— Tony Judt
New Friends
My dad emailed me the commencement speech that Steve Jobs gave at Standford in 2005. I read it and immediately thought about Jon Acuff’s book Quitter and the “hinges” in his life. Sounds like Steve Jobs experienced something very similar with his calligraphy class. And now I’m thinking about what “hinges” have happened in my life. MTH2011 is definitely one of them.
I’ve yet to write about my MTH experience, mostly because it’s only been just over a month and it’s been a busy one. Part of the reason is because I was still processing what I learned and took away from that day, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the friendships that began in that room. And while the tools I learned there have changed my life, these new friends have taught me lessons that I never would have gotten to on my own. In the past, I would typically meet someone new, have small talk with them and think to myself, “Oh, it would be nice to get to know them a little better…” and that would be the end of it. But I promised myself as I was driving away from the Emerald Coast that I would NOT do that with these new friends. Our experience together and each individual person means too much to me to let time pass us by without getting to know each other better. So to each member of the MTH2011 Emerald Coast class - here’s to you and our new friendship! I am here, cheering you on, sending you love and support. I’m so excited to see what each of us can do in the next 3 months, 6 months, 1 year from now! I hope that our paths cross again soon! XO
Carpe Diem
Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake. - Marie Beynon Ray
As I continue to make small changes in life to set myself up for success and live a happier/healthier life, I find that I incessantly plan things out in my mind. It never stops.
Today I woke up with just a list of things that had to get done and I read this quote and it threw everything out the window. I immediately jumped online and ordered the iMac I’ve been wanting for over a year. (I did recently review our finances and we’re in a good spot so it wasn’t completely throwing caution to the wind). But I don’t know why I was holding back. I’ve completed my first photography class and am already registered for the next. I am learning more and more about myself and allowing myself time to tune in and focus on the things that FIRE. ME. UP.
I hope you take the step that you’ve been thinking about TODAY! Action, people. Do it.
Nothing is different today. I still weigh the same amount. I still don’t know what it is that I really want to do with my life. I still have people in my life that make me cringe. But I also have a wonderful husband, loving parents and great friends.
Tonight I’m focused on the good and how blessed I really am and I. am. thankful. So thankful! For where I’m at and who I’ve become, for the opportunities I’ve had and the friends I’ve made. And I’m thankful for you. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and dreams with you.
Sometimes I find myself telling people only about the bad things happening in my life. I honestly don’t know why I do that. I suppose part of it is for a hug, sympathy or words of encouragement. But there are soooo many good things happening at the same time.
I’m thankful for my husband and our marriage. I don’t expect anyone else to understand us, because we get each other and love each other fully. We support, encourage and tell each other when we’re getting in our own way. I’m thankful for my parents (ALL of them) for helping me build the foundation for my life and supporting me every single day. I’m thankful for my friends for teaching me life lessons, making me laugh and telling me to shut up and move on when it needed to be said. I’m so thankful for being in a position where I don’t have to worry, having security with a roof over my head and a job to go to tomorrow, for Joey kisses and my health. I am so, so thankful to God for getting me to where I am today.
And tomorrow, when I’m rushing through the day dealing a lot of urgent, but not important things and people who may make me cringe, I’ll be thankful that God has a plan for me and open to whatever that may be.
Image: My husband and I were married and honeymooned on the island of Kauai where my grandmother was born and raised. This double rainbow was visible on our last day there.
Time
“Be assured that you’ll always have time for the things you put first.” - Liane Steele
Time seems to be my enemy these days. Work is extremely busy and I find that I am consistently juggling too much. This quote was a nice reminder this morning to make sure I prioritize the people and things in my life appropriately.
Now I’m reminding you. Who are you putting first?
A few days ago, Gina posted this. I felt as though she were speaking directly to me. I’ve never met Gina, but I feel that way often when reading her blogs.
I have a tendency to research and then mull over the possibilities of what could happen if I took this step or went this other direction…and so more often than not, I sit in the same place instead of moving forward.
So my goal over the next few weeks is to keep moving. If a decision has to be made, take a moment to think it over and then move. One way or the other - it doesn’t matter as long as I’m not sitting still. There are a TON of things going on at my job right now and a LOT of moving parts, but its important not to get stuck there OR in my personal life.
Adventure is worthwhile in itself. - Amelia Earhart.
Photo: That is me skydiving last summer. For some reason, I didn’t hesitate once when it came to that jump…
I’m not sitting on the sidelines anymore.
I’ve been following the MTH “movement” since the end of last year and was incredibly inspired by this group of people who are doing amazing things with their lives. The support, encouragement and love is felt within the entire community and transparent to those of us who have not yet had the opportunity to meet them or participate in person. And then one day Lara Casey, the found of Making Things Happen, invited one and all to participate in each activity in “The Challenge.” I did the work. I had momentum. I was ready and welcomed the challenge and change it was going to bring to my life. And then I got distracted and slowly meandered off course…because it was the EASY thing to do. I am afraid of failing. Period. I am afraid of allowing myself the opportunity TO FAIL and therefore am cheating myself out of the opportunity to succeed. And I have to stop. I don’t want to waste another year, another month, another day doing something that makes me cringe or that leaves me feeling empty. I want to be excited and push myself to be the person I know I am inside. Thank you, Lara. Thank you for sharing your story and teaching those of us without the know how - how to find whats inside of us to do and be our best. Lara just posted that there will be a three city MTH tour next month and I am beyond excited. I wasn’t able to make it to the last one in Vegas in February and have been impatiently waiting to hear when they were going to continue. I don’t know when or which one I’ll be going to, but it will be one of the three. I won’t let this opportunity pass me by again.
Time to hit the reset button
I’m hitting a new milestone in my life. With my husband, I’m buying a house. The excitement level is there, but it’s muffled by the anxiety of all of the things we have to do. When I explained what I was feeling to a great friend of mine, he said “Stressed? I’m sure the Pilgrims and Indians were worried about what appliances they were going to use for Thanksgiving.”
Now, I know you can sense the silliness AND sarcasm of his comment, but it hit home. I got the real message - “Shut up. Quit complaining. Be thankful this is a problem you have.” And I did.
I reset my frame of mind to gracious, humble and thankful.
