Greetings One and All,
Today is a last minute change of schedule day off for me. Since I haven't been writing as much lately, this seems like a good opportunity to do so.
Something that's been on my mind this week is dealing with uncertainty. Several situations have put me into new territory which of course makes one feel vulnerable and uncertain. The thing about feeling uncertain is that I think it's something you recognize more in retrospect than in the moment. My default reaction mode is gathering information. For me, having more information -even if the accuracy of it is unknown- gives the illusion that I have some form of control over the situation.
For example, when Jak hurt his knee last summer, within an hour of returning from the vet I had Googled everything from alternative joint supplements to knee replacement surgery. This of course can be a troublesome road to venture down because there is a vast amount of accessible knowledge with no way of knowing what might actually be helpful. And in reality, the answer could only be found in time and by giving him common sense care. The thing is when uncertainty is looming like a storm cloud, allowing things to happen in their own way and time is just excruciating. As human beings in times like these we reach of our elixir of choice; food, drugs, alcohol, Google. Anything to take the edge off of uncertainty.
Earlier this week when I found myself turning to my old friend Google, instead of choosing to venture down the lost highway of information, I decided to see what wisdom my favorite researcher/author -Brene Brown- might have to offer on the subject of uncertainty. Turns out this was a good choice. The following is an excerpt from an article she wrote on the topic.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Moving On Up
Hey Y'all!
There comes a time when you realize that one Good Year blimp just may not be enough. As it turns out for those days, there are actually two Good Year blimps.
What this also means is that the Nascar racing season starts this week and the area is overrun with fans, tourists, race teams and a couple of blimps. I have also had several celebrity sitings at work this week. Joe Gibbs, former NFL coach and current Nascar team owner, came in for a cup of joe (haha) last Sunday. And then on Monday one of the ESPN Nascar commentators stopped in. As I was making his beverage, I totally called him out on it's lack of appeal. Decaf, non-fat, no whipped cream. I said to him in the middle of a busy morning, this is one big old cup of no fun you got here! He did laugh. And I am leaving his name out of it on my blog because he did seem to be a nice guy.
So while the title of this letter to home is seemingly about the picture above, there is actually another reason for it. A few months ago at work one of the shift supervisors transferred to another store. At that time I spoke with my manager about the possibility of moving into that position at some point. We were busy with the holidays and filling the position didn't seem dire so the discussion fell by the wayside. I know I haven't been there that long but feel that I could handle the responsibility of the position so I at least wanted to get on the track toward making the move some day. This week another shift supervisor handed in her two weeks notice and filling her position is a bit more necessary. So, in about a week I will begin my training for the new position. Several of the other shift supervisors have been supportive, encouraging and singing my praises to the manager which is greatly appreciated. It feels like the next natural step so I think it will be a good move.
The weather here has been pleasant the past few days and my schedule has allowed for me to get out and enjoy it. I'm trying to work up to running a 10k so once or twice a week I leave Jak home so that I can run a bit farther than I do with him. I noticed he looks a little stiff the next day if I push him too much so I have to be aware of that. Today I did about 3 miles and probably ran 3/4 of it. Or so I'm telling myself. I am just grateful to be living where I can get out and run (or walk with Jak) in February. I was just thinking today how lethargic a cold, snowy winter used to make me. I love my family and friends and miss you all. I don't, however, miss a New England winter.
That's enough news for one day. Keep it real, peeps. Stay awesome!
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
There comes a time when you realize that one Good Year blimp just may not be enough. As it turns out for those days, there are actually two Good Year blimps.
What this also means is that the Nascar racing season starts this week and the area is overrun with fans, tourists, race teams and a couple of blimps. I have also had several celebrity sitings at work this week. Joe Gibbs, former NFL coach and current Nascar team owner, came in for a cup of joe (haha) last Sunday. And then on Monday one of the ESPN Nascar commentators stopped in. As I was making his beverage, I totally called him out on it's lack of appeal. Decaf, non-fat, no whipped cream. I said to him in the middle of a busy morning, this is one big old cup of no fun you got here! He did laugh. And I am leaving his name out of it on my blog because he did seem to be a nice guy.
So while the title of this letter to home is seemingly about the picture above, there is actually another reason for it. A few months ago at work one of the shift supervisors transferred to another store. At that time I spoke with my manager about the possibility of moving into that position at some point. We were busy with the holidays and filling the position didn't seem dire so the discussion fell by the wayside. I know I haven't been there that long but feel that I could handle the responsibility of the position so I at least wanted to get on the track toward making the move some day. This week another shift supervisor handed in her two weeks notice and filling her position is a bit more necessary. So, in about a week I will begin my training for the new position. Several of the other shift supervisors have been supportive, encouraging and singing my praises to the manager which is greatly appreciated. It feels like the next natural step so I think it will be a good move.
The weather here has been pleasant the past few days and my schedule has allowed for me to get out and enjoy it. I'm trying to work up to running a 10k so once or twice a week I leave Jak home so that I can run a bit farther than I do with him. I noticed he looks a little stiff the next day if I push him too much so I have to be aware of that. Today I did about 3 miles and probably ran 3/4 of it. Or so I'm telling myself. I am just grateful to be living where I can get out and run (or walk with Jak) in February. I was just thinking today how lethargic a cold, snowy winter used to make me. I love my family and friends and miss you all. I don't, however, miss a New England winter.
That's enough news for one day. Keep it real, peeps. Stay awesome!
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Friday, February 14, 2014
V Day
Hello World!
Today at work we are exchanging Secret Valentine gifts (it's like Secret Santa) and I made some mini cupcakes to share with my work peeps as well.
Whether it's a made up holiday or not, today is a day to appreciate those in your life who make your everyday better. So come on, hop to it and spread the love!
Until next time...
Peace, Love & XOXO,
Hope
Happy Valentine's Day!
I asked Jak to be my valentine today and he said yes. I think. As long as there's food involved.
Today at work we are exchanging Secret Valentine gifts (it's like Secret Santa) and I made some mini cupcakes to share with my work peeps as well.
Whether it's a made up holiday or not, today is a day to appreciate those in your life who make your everyday better. So come on, hop to it and spread the love!
Until next time...
Peace, Love & XOXO,
Hope
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Checking In
Howdy Friends,
Thought I would drop a note just to say I'm doing fine and I haven't abandoned my blog. I've had a lot of early shifts in the past week and have a hard time getting to bed early so by the time I get home I only do the bare minimum. Plus I haven't really had much to write about, which could also be a result of just being tired.
It is currently raining and thundering here so I'm writing this while I wait for it to pass so I can take Jak out. I see that another winter storm is creeping it's way into the northeast. I have to say, I would much rather wait out a thunderstorm to walk Jak then to shovel a path in the snow for him to get outside. It doesn't feel like February here and I am totally fine with that.
Tomorrow and Saturday are my days off this week so hopefully once I've had a few good night's sleep I'll be more inspired to write. To my friends and family preparing for another storm, stay warm, stay safe. Watch the Olympics while you're housebound, make jigsaw puzzles and eat lots of comfort food.
I'll leave you with some hope. Only 36 days till Spring.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Thought I would drop a note just to say I'm doing fine and I haven't abandoned my blog. I've had a lot of early shifts in the past week and have a hard time getting to bed early so by the time I get home I only do the bare minimum. Plus I haven't really had much to write about, which could also be a result of just being tired.
It is currently raining and thundering here so I'm writing this while I wait for it to pass so I can take Jak out. I see that another winter storm is creeping it's way into the northeast. I have to say, I would much rather wait out a thunderstorm to walk Jak then to shovel a path in the snow for him to get outside. It doesn't feel like February here and I am totally fine with that.
Tomorrow and Saturday are my days off this week so hopefully once I've had a few good night's sleep I'll be more inspired to write. To my friends and family preparing for another storm, stay warm, stay safe. Watch the Olympics while you're housebound, make jigsaw puzzles and eat lots of comfort food.
I'll leave you with some hope. Only 36 days till Spring.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
A Moment of Clarity
Happy Tuesday Peeps,
The other morning I had to get up at 4:30 to get ready for work. I'm not sure if it was sleep deprivation or the sheer fact that no one should have to be up and functioning at that hour but I had this moment of clarity. For a brief instant I could see my life objectively. I could see the magnitude of what I had done by picking up my life and moving to a place where I knew hardly anyone. And I thought holy crap, this is a really big thing that I've done.
Now, maybe it sounds silly that I hadn't recognized it before, however as I've mentioned in previous letters (most likely as a metaphor) when you are the one in the middle of it you're just doing it. Moments of seeing your life objectively are few and far between (at least for me) perhaps because fear would have a chance to grow and overshadow the thing we were in the middle of doing.
My moment of objective clarity came on the heels of a trip back to the homeland which may well have shifted my perspective just enough to see. I am grateful that I found the courage to make a move like this and also thankful that I could not see the magnitude of it as it may have paralyzed me with fear. I regularly feel glad to be here. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always unfolded the way I thought it would. However, I haven't once regretted my decision to make this move.
In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" there is a scene in which Melanie is lamenting about her life in NYC versus her life in Alabama and how they both make sense to her. Jake's response to her is "you can have roots and wings." This quote ran through my mind periodically as I was preparing to make this move. In a completely different format I recently came across the "roots and wings" concept again. My trip to the homeland reminded me of my roots and the goodness that I come from. Being back here reminds me of the importance and beauty of spreading my wings.
Be kind to yourself. Be good to each other. And when opportunity arises, spread your wings and fly.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
The other morning I had to get up at 4:30 to get ready for work. I'm not sure if it was sleep deprivation or the sheer fact that no one should have to be up and functioning at that hour but I had this moment of clarity. For a brief instant I could see my life objectively. I could see the magnitude of what I had done by picking up my life and moving to a place where I knew hardly anyone. And I thought holy crap, this is a really big thing that I've done.
Now, maybe it sounds silly that I hadn't recognized it before, however as I've mentioned in previous letters (most likely as a metaphor) when you are the one in the middle of it you're just doing it. Moments of seeing your life objectively are few and far between (at least for me) perhaps because fear would have a chance to grow and overshadow the thing we were in the middle of doing.
My moment of objective clarity came on the heels of a trip back to the homeland which may well have shifted my perspective just enough to see. I am grateful that I found the courage to make a move like this and also thankful that I could not see the magnitude of it as it may have paralyzed me with fear. I regularly feel glad to be here. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always unfolded the way I thought it would. However, I haven't once regretted my decision to make this move.
In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" there is a scene in which Melanie is lamenting about her life in NYC versus her life in Alabama and how they both make sense to her. Jake's response to her is "you can have roots and wings." This quote ran through my mind periodically as I was preparing to make this move. In a completely different format I recently came across the "roots and wings" concept again. My trip to the homeland reminded me of my roots and the goodness that I come from. Being back here reminds me of the importance and beauty of spreading my wings.
Be kind to yourself. Be good to each other. And when opportunity arises, spread your wings and fly.
Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope
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