Thursday, April 24, 2014

Ahhha moment...

For whatever reason, last night I was thinking again about my career choice and choice of major in college. What I seemed to realize, was that in addition to my teaching certification, I received a bachelors in English and if I ever had the opportunity to go back, I probably would have picked the same major again. I have always enjoyed reading, I loved studying literature in high school, and I would go back to school to take a literature class again!

I remember going into college and WANTING to take some literature and art classes. I had taken both. I wasn't "allowed" to take art classes because I wasn't an art major with a portfolio. Also, at that time, to be an artist, I knew I didn't have to take a class or earn a degree. I could learn techniques and mediums outside of a "class." I took a pre-writing class to make sure I would succeed in my writing courses. I enjoyed being challenged by my courses and actually enjoyed the first time I got a B because the teacher was giving me insightful and honest feedback and my favorite paper to write was from a history class in which I received a C! I like history because of the reading and exploration of the evolution of culture through text. Same from my anthropology class.

I am a writer at heart and was feeling anxious today because I had not taken the amount of time I wanted to spew out all of my most precious revelations in the last day and this morning. This was the last thought on my way back to my house following the enlightenment regarding my choice of studies in college: I am a writer and I can be at peace with that.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

On time & no ticket!

I had to speed to work this morning. Thankfully, I did not see a cop nor was pulled over for a ticket and was able to arrive on time. In talking with my husband, he prompted me to reflect on this frequent occurrence. I wake up on time, but I leave late. I realize I may be more of a morning person that I would like to admit.

I love getting up with the sun and the birds. I tend to feel my day was wasted if I have slept in too long. Although I may not want to be social, I find this is the time that I am motivate to get my day started. I want to complete the tasks to make me feel at peace with myself and my day. I tend to get "distracted" by drinking my coffee, talking to my plants, watching my dog play outside, clearing the counters, or switching a load of laundry. It's difficult to do all of that and get dressed, prepare my lunch, and get out the door to be to work on time.

I think the part of me that has always thought I was not a morning person, has been how I tend to be very unsociable in the mornings. I do not like carrying on a conversation; I find I get irritated. I think that irritation comes from a break in my concentration. It feels to me almost the same as the irritation I feel from being disrupted while reading a really good book.

The other part, has been how difficult it is for me to establish a set morning routine in order to arrive to work at a respectable time. I am not late often; more like arriving in the nick of time to begin the day. This is most common if my shift begins before 3pm.

I recall working 2nd shift (3pm-11pm) for the local hotel, and did not have a difficult time arriving on time. On occasion, I would be in the nick of time most often because I was coming from class in which it truly felt out of my control; education was more important that my part time minimum wage job.

In order for me to get my 8-9 hours of sleep to feel rested, I have to go to sleep at 10:30. To got to bed any earlier than that, feels terrible. I don't like going to bed before dark since again, I feel as though I am not taking advantage of my daylight hours, I like the sun set, as well as it is nearly impossible for me to sleep without complete darkness.

So, I am not quite sure how to remediate this situation. I feel like saying, "It's just how I am." Yet, my professionalism, prevents me from being at peace with this mentality.

Tom stated yesterday that we should start our own business so that we may work when we want and be together more frequently. I can't help but think back to my training with MaryKay, where I have learned that if you are not working, neither is your business. Therefore, I do not believe that is the solution to our situations.

Tom and I need to get creative. We need to continue exploring our interests and passions and follow our instincts (or not if they are leading us away from our passions). The wealthiest people have let their passions lead their way. Which reminds me of my daily devotional reading lesson reflecting on Elijah: To stray from your mission is to fail; don't let your success today, lead you to failure tomorrow. From this I took that just because I am able to pay my bills working, doesn't mean this is what I should be perusing to continue doing in the future. This has been reassuring to ponder since I have recently been struggling with my choice of career for many reasons. Again, I need to get creative to apply my education in a way that aligns with my passions and propels me into the future to follow the path I was meant to follow towards success.

In other words, I am going to continue enjoying my mornings.