December 30, 2016

Haven't blogged in quite a while.

 and perhaps 2017 is the year to get back into it.  2016 has been great.  I quit that job that was sucking the life out of me.  I went back to school and have learned so much!  It's been very useful to be able to focus on school and things I can do differently at work going forward.  If I could go back to the beginning at CMH there are so may things I would have done differently.  Perhaps I would still be there, who knows.  Maybe not. 

So, I'm looking for social work jobs again in smaller nonprofits.  I still want to move into more of a management role so I may start again at the bottom.  Which also means a much smaller salary but that's ok.  Now I know better what to do at work to be seen as a leader. 

And I have some goals for 2017. 
Work out 5 days a week at crossfit (which I love doing!)
follow a real diet plan
pay off 1 credit card
finish my nonprofit certificate
go back to Mexico in August
develop the UM Urban Ministry with Pastor Williams

The biggest goal is to be a positive person.  No more all negative talk.  It's ok to vent frustrations, but there are always solutions.  Life is short.  No more complaining.  Tomorrow is never promised so make the most of today. 

I'm going to try and blog one time per month to track how I'm doing. 

So starting next week I'll be here keeping myself accountable. 

when you're done you're done

There comes that time when you know you're done. With a relationship, with a job--which is also a relationship of sorts.  I know I am done.  For so long I thought I would be sad about leaving and that it would be hard.  Now I don't think so. 


I was watching the Ninja challenge on NBC last night.  A guy on the show said that at some point maybe he would get a real job.  But realized he has a dream and said "who wants a real job any way?"  I said, you don't want a "real job."  I knew what he meant, an 8-5 job, daily grind, daily commute, clock in and out, type of job.  I know a certain level of certainty comes with that type of job. An guaranteed income, benefits, insurance, vacation.  But at what price?  Does certainty mean happiness? 


I admire people who go after a dream rather that "a real job."  I wish I had that kind of courage. 


And last week a couple of people said they are planning a trip to Mozambique next summer.  I wanted to go and the old fears of uncertainty crept in..money and would I have enough?  Wanting to move and having enough money for moving and traveling.  Then I thought to myself, this is exactly the fear that has kept me from doing the trips I've wanted to do in the past.  The regrets I looked back on now and wish I had gone on the trip instead of worrying if I had enough  money. 


And then I thought I want to go.  And if I live every day towards that goal of doing the big things I like, instead of doing the little things I do in order to cope with the life I have--and don't like---then I would have the money.  It's a switch in thinking.  Not worrying, yet prioritizing what my dream is. 


God give me the courage and opportunity to do what you have put in my heart.  To go forward without fear or hesitation.  To not worry about the what if's.  To know that you will provide for everything I need, and that I already have everything I need to survive.  Now I need to live.  Really live every day, not just a few times a year or once in a while. 


The first step's always the hardest one to take---it's a leap of faith. 

what is the best of my life

I've done very well this week eating lunches from home, walking almost every day, keeping on top of things.  And what are the bigger picture things.  What exactly does the best of my life look like?  Last night Tim and I were at our favorite watering hole, sitting outside with some friends we have met at that bar.  It was a beautiful night and I thought about how lucky we are to be in the USA, having a drink, sitting outside enjoying good company.  This is what life is about--enjoying these moments and I wanted more of those.  So I began to ponder how to make the best of my life while I was making salsa verde for the family cookout this evening. 


I still hope for a job that is a little less intense.  I don't mind being busy, but social work is too intense.  Still working and looking for that opportunity. 


Less of a commute and a more flexible schedule. 


I'd like to see some places I haven't been.  Yellowstone for one.  Return to San Francisco and see the redwoods, maybe wine country.  France, Italy, Australia.  I'd go back to Hawaii but see a different Island.  My ultimate trip is the Maldives---I've seen pictures and would love to see it in person.  Plus I'd get to layover in Dubai and I think it would be interesting to see a middle eastern country. 


Have a home that's less maintenance.  I know a townhome community I'd like to live in that's also beside a walking trail and stream.  I need to have faith in that timing of selling Tim's house and finding the right place there.  If not there, then some place similar.  I'd like to come home to a sanctuary.  (of course, convincing Tim we need to live there too! HA! I think it does have what we both want).


Be able to run again.  Not run fast or compete, but just run easy and feel good. 


Do a mission trip every year out of the country.  I really enjoy that kind of travel and supporting developing countries. 


These are all doable things.  I doing all little things every day, leads to having the bigger things. 

the rest of my life will be the best of my life

Going back to my college cross country team made me think back on those days.  I wonder what my life had become if I knew some of the things then that I know now.  If I had the confidence, the insight that I have learned over the years.  But then I have to remember the people I have met on this road, that I would not have met if I had made different choices.  I might not have met the amazing people at College Hill UMC who taught me about love and the value of being with others.  Brook who I met at my first social work job who taught me to chill and have fun.  She always believed in me.  Friends Amy, Becky, Jennifer, Mary--all from Wichita.  They are still great friends, especially Jennifer and Mary who also live in KC now.  I have my church and the amazing trips to Mozambique--the trips that changed my whole life. My awesome girlfriends, Becca, Shari, Sarah and Joy.  I might not have joined the JM fan club and met people all over the country and seen concerts every where.   And Tim and his family, who showed me what family love is all about. 


So, I just have to think I was who I was and did the best I could with what I had at the time.  So I go forward and make the rest of my life the best of my life. 


Today I tried my new thinking of taking care of the small stuff every day.  My documentation is caught up at work, I ate what I took for lunch, at dinner at home, went on a walk/job with the dog, picked up stuff, and now am spending some time reflecting on life. 

balance

I went to my college coach's retirement last night.  Such a fun evening seeing old running mates and remembering the days of running cross country and track.  Coach Helmer talked as well and was inspiring as ever. 
It reminded me of such valuable lessons learned back then.  One that stands out to me the most is balance in life.  He didn't want us to just focus on running.  We needed to be successful in the classroom and have time with friends and family.  He also taught us that not every practice is race day, not every race is the Olympics, and an Olympic race is not judgement day.  We certainly had days when we practiced hard.  But those would be followed by days of running an easy pace to recover.  He said if we didn't we would end up injured. 


That same principal can be taken into anything in life.  Day in and day out of constantly driving yourself at work or at home will take it's toll eventually.  Rest days are needed too.  To rest our emotional and spiritual muscles.  We need to be able to just be, and enjoy the run, the company and friendship of those around us. 

you don't have to start over if you never give up

It's nearing the end of 2013 and my year of ending all my activities that were spending my time and getting me nowhere.  I've done pretty well and now want to start building back the things that are good for me and getting me to a better place. 

One thing is I miss running.  I've been out of it long enough that I don't feel competitive any more.  I'd just like to participate and be out there.  I've gotten into terrible shape again.  But this week I'm going to start running.  It's ok to even walk a little so I'm mixing it up with running two minutes and walking three.  I can do that fairly easily. 

So I'm just picking up where I left off in July from my tri.  I'd do that again too.  Maybe do some cross training but one step at a time.  2 minutes on, 3 minutes off.   And I'm going to finish this week on schedule.

I made it

I accomplished the three goals I set for myself with this triathlon---finish, don't die, don't finish last.  I can honestly say I did all those things, and did better in parts of the race than I thought I might.  Here's the recap:
Swimming---I wasn't sure how well I would do with this.  A lot of triathletes are not strong swimmers.  I'm not either but I have swam with a masters group before so I know how to do it well.  And, I was doing well until my swim cap came off and took the goggles with it.  In the middle of the lake no less.  grrr.  I got both back on and then caught up to the people who had passed me.  So, even though it was frustrating to have to stop, I was happy with the fact that I was able to catch up again.  Imagine how I would do if I didn't stop! 
Biking---riding a bike is easy.  I've been doing it since I was 6 years old.  Biking on those hills is not easy.  I didn't do as well at this as I thought I might.  :/   I did set a goal while riding that I was not going to get off the bike and walk up the worst of the hills.  So, kudos for that but I gotta work on that for the next race!
Running----I figured this would be my worst event.  Ironic since I used to be a pretty good runner.  I decided to run as long as I could, then walk if needed.  I also walked up hills.  After a mile or so I caught my second wind.  I actually felt good and that I could keep on running!  I ran a lot more of this than I thought I would and I feel pretty good about that. 

So, I crossed a big barrier, just being able to finish.  I looked at the race results and the people in front of me aren't going any faster than I am capable of.  I will be back and will be stronger the next time!