Purposeful Living

I think that sometimes we get so caught up in life's activities that we forget we are here not just to do, but to me, to experience life.  I have heard many tell me that through these last few years of financial and personal struggle, sometimes life is just about "enduring".  Everytime I heard that, I thought in my head, "yeah, yeah, right, right - you really dont know what to say".  I know - attitude, its my Achilles.   However, the thoughts still swam around in the liquid jello called my brain and the other day it all seemed to solidfy.  Yes, there is the enduring part - but really its about purpose.  I found my personal prayers switching from "help me to get through this" to "what is my purpose? I just want to have purpose?"  Almost (literally) the second I made the switch in my thinking, the purpose presented itself.  Now, I am sure that the purpose was lingering there all along, but I had done nothing to help realize it, make it possible, open myself up for it to embrace me.  I was too much in myself to notice that there was something more than me ...

Dont get me wrong, its okay to have the woefulness, to feel our sorrow, to recognize that life has pummeled us with a whole truck load of lemons (WAY too many to make lemonaide).  But we cant sit under the pile, tread water in mirk - its not physicially, emotionally or spiritually possible to do that.  We drown in all those same ways.  We get out of, sit on the side and breath for a moment, acknowledge that we have just pulled ourselves out of the worst junk possible.  Then find the nearest shower, (I prefer a very long, very hot one) and step out in the cool breeze and look toward the purpose.  It will be there, waiting for you, I promise.

The time has come...

In a week, the last chick will have made the first leap out of the nest.  He'll still have a few more milestones to cover before he takes off and soars in August, but the wings are strengthening and boy is the desire to leap ever so strong!  I dont know whether to cover him with my wing or nudge him out with my beak.  I guess it depends on the day.  Today was a day I just wanted to cover him up and keep him in the nest, for just a little while longer. 

Today, I also finished my first block of classes.  They went very well and I know that I am on the right path.  It keeps unfolding little by little.   I sort of feel a little like the last chick - starting to see that someday I too may fly this particular nest of 24/7 motherhood.  Its a little scary.  As mom's we have put off, held back, stored in the closet, all the "selfish" dreams of our youth and now that there is the potential to have the time, effort and most importantly, the ENERGY to realize them, we're a little scared.   Dreams are good - its the fruition of the dreams that takes some determination.  I finally think I understand the old adage that "youth is wasted on the young" - its not necessarily the energy (or lack there of) - but the fearlessness.  When you are young you are totally unaware of your fearlessness (it can easily evolve into recklessness - so be careful).  A little older, a few life lessons and we hesitate.  This time, there isnt a momma bird with a beak, poking over the edge, at least for most of us. 

Today, I am grateful for my husband's nudge - its been a whole lot better than my mother's!

Career Change

I have done it.  Took the plunge, jumped off the cliff, escaped the looney bin, however you want to call it.  Its done.  Over.  After 10+ years of working from home as a dedicated (sometimes overly dedicated to the point of work-aholic) medical transcriptionist, manager and editor,  it has all come to an end.   By choice, you ask?  Sort of...  Because of economic conditions?  Sort of that too... Mainly, cause I am so over it!  That was a little strong eh?  Sorry.  I just really am, very over it! 

It served its beautiful purpose.  When I started, I was a single mom with three small children, who needed mom to be around home more than at an office.   It was ideal.  I more than supported our little family off of my wages and I couldnt have asked for a better blessing.  Now, they are all gone.  Well, almost all gone.  The "baby" graduates from HS in 2-1/2 months.  He has his college plans all in order and has half of his 6'4" frame body out the door already.  There is no longer a need to be at home full-time. 

I went through the usual, what do I do with myself, thing.  I could paint/draw all day.  I could do genealogy until I had traced everyones roots back to Adam himself.  I could sew.  All are great, wonderful, nice, but I want to work!  That sounds pretty wild huh?  I DO!  I want to do something productive, something creative, something enjoyable.  Something that contributes.

So, I have changed paths, jumped the cliff, probably just went from one looney bin to another, but I think this looney bin is going to be a lot more enjoyable than the former! 

Passing on a Blog I follow...

I follow a wonderful LDS blogger from Las Vegas.  She is a musician and a doctrinal whiz and has the wittiest sense of humor.  Plus, her kids are basically the ages of my children and her adventures are so similar.  I can laugh many times at what I immediately found to be the most irritating situation I had ever epxerienced as a mother. 

Today, I stopped by her blog and her post was not the usual fun and witty essay.   She wrote a very straightforward, very honest and yet expressive post on how she feels about some of the political commentary taking place in amongst ourselves in our places of worship - more importantly how we are treating others on the opposite sides of the political spectrum in our own community.  Since I have been the recipient of, heard the same words spoken and felt the same indigation she expresses in her blog, I want to pass it on.  You do not know what her political persuasion is (which is as it should be)... So please, if you read anything this year in the blogger world - read this.

http://thebackorderedlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/political-ranters-need-not-apply.html