Sometimes in life things seem to get a little out of whack. The walls start to close in. Nothing seems as it should. You might feel a little raw, discubobulated, and even like you don't fit in where you are. I have felt all of those feelings lately and then some. Can't put my finger on it. Can't make sense of it. Not sure which road to take or what way to turn. So I turned to the source of some of my greatest joy in this life...my kids. I was looking at old pictures (well not that old but a couple years back), and got some inspiration.
When life seems a bit crazy, and things seem a bit out of your control then do as the boys do, jump in head first. Get your feet off the ground and soar. There will always be trials. There will always be disappointments in this life. It is all part of the test or the journey we are on. We can go about finding our way happily with our feet and head held high. Or you can sit on the grass and let it all pass by without lifting a hand or dreaming a dream.
At times it may seem like we are right side up and other times it may seem like we are upsidedown. But as this picture illustrates it really is in the perception, what is up? or what is down? Depends on where you are on the journey. At this point in my life I feel like Cory in this pic, I am a little upside down, trying to find the way to the surface. To make sense of my life. I have a great life, I am so very blessed. I just feel a little lost. The great thing is that I am not settling for that. Instead I am reading, searching, and praying to find my way. Moving forward and trying not to look back. To be a better person, a more loving mom, a more involved grandma, and a more understanding wife. It is a process but one worth working through. When I was a little girl, I loved playing with Barbie dolls. I didn't have any of my own, but my friend Susan did. She had tons of them and lots of clothes for them to wear. She didn't like playing Barbie's though so it was a real treat when I could talk her into it.I could never get enough. We had s much fun making the dolls do what we wanted them to, to give them an adventure we could only imagine or dream up. I don't know why I didn't have any Barbies of my own. I expect it was because I never asked for them. Or maybe they cost too much, not sure but it really doesn't matter. Where am I going with this? Well, if we want something bad enough (like playing with Barbie) we will find a way to make it happen in our lives. It may come through someone we know or someone we meet. The key is that we have to be looking for something in order to find it. When we find it... then the joy that we were searching for and the journey it took to get there is so much more worthwhile.
We meet people along the way that help us on our journey or our goal. Some may have a different approach, some help us 'figure' things out. It takes thought, prayer, and inspiration. The thing I have realized about myself is... that I don't like making the journey alone. I like to have someone there to champion me, to say "that's a great idea" or I agree with that. My sister Ann has been that person for me in so many ways. We have shared some pretty incredible and wonderful journeys together. I love her so much. Also my children are great supports for my ideas and my plans (when I have and share them). Sometimes we have a plan but don't know how to get it rolling...
That's when someone special steps in and says, "Let me show you how it's done!" I have heard that said many times by my dad. He has taught me so many things about woodworking, building, life, love, committment, loyalty, dependability, crafting, doing my best and never cutting corners.My mom has also been there for me through thick and thin, in good times and bad, always willing to be my cheerleader. And here in this picture dad showed his grandson's the finer art of dutch oven cooking. I am truly blessed. I eagerly anticipate my journey that I am on. I know I can find the peace, the comfort, the balance that I am seeking with my 'new' life as the bishops wife and growing older. It is something I don't wish on anyone, it is something that I am truly struggling with, it is something that consumes Len's life and leaves mine very empty and lonely. I will find my own way, whatever that is. I will find the balance and Iwill learn to soar. Jonathan Livingston Seagull said, "Everything that limits us we must put aside...The trick Fletcher, is that we are trying to overcome our limitations in order, patiently. We don't tackle flying through rock until later in the program." Words that strike a familar chord with me. I must learn that there is a season for everything, that I can't have it all right now. That I should continually work toward 'flying through rock' so that I will be ready when the time comes to do it. For now I must live each day the best I can. I must look for the miracles that are around me and be grateful for them. I must champion those who paths cross mine, I will be the best I can be and live the best I can. Feet off the ground and dive in head first!