Love is a Four Letter Word
This is exactly what I needed today.
Writer’s block is a jerk
Yep. A complete and utter jerk.
I have a lot of topics bouncing around that I want to write about – some personal, some random – but I’ve lost my ability to just get into the flow. I’m going to stop trying to force it and just see what happens. Maybe I’ll even resort to pen and paper if inspiration strikes.
Regardless, here’s hoping this goes away soon and I get my writing mojo back.
Until then – have a happy holiday, travel safe, and happy new year!
P.S. Don’t forget. . .
Need a pick-me-up? Watch this.
h/t Thought Catalog
Some initial post trip thoughts. . .
It’s been almost a week since I arrived back in Minnesota after my trip. In fact, at this point a week ago I was in a plane that was flying eastward as a part of my 30 hour journey from Hanoi to St. Paul.
I’m slowly but surely getting used to being back home. I’ve done some laundry, paid a couple of bills I forgot to pay before I left (oops), gone through 3 weeks of work email and documents and back into the campaign saddle. There is still a lot I need to do, mainly the rest of my laundry, moving my empty suitcase from the middle of the living room, and getting actual food in my house, but that’ll happen eventually.
As I look back, I realize the past week has seemed to just fly by. It seems as if the last 6 days have lasted as long as one day while I was traveling. Once I had this realization, I began to wonder why – time is time and it’s not like days in Minnesota are shorter than in SE Asia. . .
What is different?
(more…)
Why I am going – Part 1
As I approach my departure date (tomorrow!!!!), I keep getting asked variations on the following questions:
“Is this a vacation?” Kinda.
“Are you going on a mission trip?” Yes, but not that kind of mission.
“Why are you going there?” Why not?
Throughout my life, I have been blessed to have opportunities to travel – both domestically & abroad – which has allowed me to see some truly wonderful things, meet a wide variety of different people, push myself beyond my comfort zone and most importantly learn about myself and the world around me.
I am going on this trip for reasons that are both practical (to be covered in part 2 on this topic) and personal. I’m looking forward to helping make people’s lives better (something that drives my career as well) and seeing a new part of the world. As I’ve often said, when you look around and truly look at the lives of others – the struggles, triumphs, emotions, and dreams – you begin to realize that we aren’t all that different from each other.
Traveling also makes me thankful for all that I have in my life – the good and the not so good. I take these opportunities to reflect on things going on in my life; the distance from the noise of everyday life helps provide some clarity and insights I otherwise may have missed. I can recharge my batteries and gear up for the tasks ahead of me with a renewed energy and (hopefully) passion.
While I sit here freaking out about all I have to do before I embark on my journey to Cambodia, Laos, and Vitenam, I know that at the end, it will be worth it. I just have to let myself be open to the experiences and take time be in the moment.
More to come on the more practical aspects of why I am going on this trip later. . .
O HAI
Hey guys. Remember me? Remember this blog?
Well, it turns out that I kinda forgot about it and didn’t really post for awhile. Oops. I guess this is what happens when you are wrapping up being #onhaitus, go on vacation, start a new job, and suffer through approximately 9 months of winter.
Yes, that’s it.
Well, I’m back. I’m looking forward to getting back into this writing thing. I began this blog as a way to share my thoughts, ideas, and the random stuff that puts a smile on my face or makes me think, but some stuff happened that shifted my focus to other things and left me without the urge to write. It’s amazing what happens when you get some peace and clarity in your life – I now have the time *and* desire to write again.
I have a number of posts brewing, and some really exciting things coming up in my life to share, but for now, I’m going to sit in my backyard, play fetch with my dog, and just enjoy the warmth of a beautiful day in St. Paul.
Share some love and kindness today and live in the moment.