Thursday, August 20, 2009

Back to School Time!

I just love this time of year! Being a "nerd" myself, I have always loved school. This is the time of year that parents get back on a regular schedule and try to get the kids to do the same. I am doing that as well. Back to bed on a regular time, no staying up until the wee hours of the night, time to retire the flipflops and lazy summer days and lemonade stands. Getting organized right off the bat with all the essential notebooks and supplies and a fresh calendar for organizing school dates, tests and activities. I am waiting on pins and needles for fall to usher in. It is perhaps my most favorite time of year and one in which I get a burst of energy and lightness in my step.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Keeping Your Head Above Water

In this day and time of uncertainty and ever changing situations it can be really difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life. With a recent job change myself I know how life can surprise you and knock the wind out of your sails. With every struggle that I go through I try really hard to think about the positive to minimize the negative thoughts and feelings that come my way. Yes, they will come in a flood to try to get us down, distract us from what we know we should do. But it is all in how you handle things that determines the outcome. Sure, I have had days, and will continue to, that all I want to do is pull the covers over my head and block out the world and everyone in it. I have spent enough time in the mud wallowing in my own self-pity and doubt. A certain amount of grief is good and even beneficial but there comes a time when enough is enough and we have to decide to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and determine from this point where we shall go. I have recently read a quote that the "only way from down is up". That is so true. I know that it is not going to be easy and that I will probably get knocked down again a million more times and that is ok. As long as I continue to get up again. I am in the mode now where I am actively seeking for a full time position in my field and in this day and age the job search in itself is a full time job. I know I may have to wait for what I want and in order to get there I may have to take whatever comes my way until I get a more ideal position. Rarely is there a person that desires to be in a top position starts out at the top. In the meantime I have chosen to focus on the things that I know that I can do and continue to perservere in the face of adversity. I want to focus on my talents and things that make me happy. Being able to continue to take my college classes has been such a blessing and the one positive thing that I can actively do towards my long-term goals. Also, regularly taking stock in my talents and abilities and strengths, and when need be, cultivating those. I have had many wise people give me advice and have heard from other people that are in the same struggles as I echo the same sentiment..." you just have to keep going forward". So that is my advice to myself and others as well.