A Road I've Never Been Down Before

Yesterday I left the house on foot, with no plan, no plan except to take a picture of the beautiful, sunny day! There aren't many times I've done this in my 31 years. Maybe in the car, when I've just driven around to waste time, or to see a neighborhood I hadn't before. I of course have my little walking/running routes around Manette that I frequent, but it was funny I didn't really want to stick to any of those.

As I walked towards the water I got to see the US Stennis coming into Bremerton, I ran down a new road to get a better look, and picture of course. I was on a street I hadn't been down before, so then I went down that road further and found an amazing view. I continued walking down this new direction.

As I walked I had this thought...

How is it that in some moments its actually easy, peaceful, settling and fun to not know the exact path you are going, not knowing your ending, exactly what you will see and what you will do. I had the control of choosing what road or path I might take when I came to a turn or the end of one road, but who knew where it would lead.

But in our lives we can't rest in the unknown.

The last five months I've been off I had a really hard time enjoying every bit of my journey, because I didn't have an end point. I didn't know when it would get better...

Don't get me wrong in these five months I was able to do some things I would have never been able to do if I was working. I spent quality time with people I love so dearly, got to volunteer, make a home cooked dinner almost every night, be there for friends when they needed someone, be a reliable errand runner and chauffer for family, workout almost every day when I wanted, and spend some time alone, and I learned to love and appreciate it.

My unemployed journey is coming to an end!!!!  Holy cow if I had known that on November 5th, that I would accept a job that I wanted...September and October may have been a lot easier. But, if we know something, then we don't have to practice faith, hope, trust, and discipline.

It's hard to fully put my emotions into words when I received that call. I was so excited, I was relieved, I was proud, I was just in shock and as soon I talked to Derik I cried...tears wouldn't stop.

 I am ecstatic for this next journey! I start with Kitsap County on November 30 as the Education and Outreach Technician for the Community Development Department. I am also a little scared. I'm the new kid on the block again. I don't know anything about Community Development. But what I've learned in the last five months I think has prepped me for it just fine...I've learned-

Have patience- something will work out, but it's not going to always be in your time frame.

Know that there are worse things in life than losing a job etc.- I received constant reminders that I was never in a desperate situation. I had my health, a roof over my head and amazing people around  supporting me every step of the way.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket- I thought getting a job would be a cure all. It was a weight lifted off, but life is still going to happen. Appreciate the successes and ramp up for life to continue giving you challenges, but oh so much beauty in between.

You CAN control your attitude- Don't lie to yourself, and allow yourself to be what you need to be in grieving moments, but every  day you can wake up and dictate your day. Put on that armor and pick yourself up. Despite rough patches, make sure you remind yourself of the positives you have in your life and focus energy towards that.

Change is truly the only constant thing in the world- be ready for it and go with it. Beautiful things come from those things we cannot predict.

Sometimes the things you are most afraid to do can bring you a great amount of peace. It's okay to fear things...but do it any way.

Take a path that you don't know the end to, it's called life folks. It's gonna be okay...in fact it's gonna be better than okay, it's gonna be pretty darn amazing.