Life has a way of throwing us curve balls, taking twists and turns, sending us on a roller coaster ride…….you get the idea. We try to plan and organize our lives but things change, we make choices, and one day we end up at the end of our forties with a new vista spreading wide and free before us. This is where the bend in my road has brought me: to an open meadow full of a multitude of beautiful choices. How to decide?
After 17 years of PTA volunteering, my elected position as Utah PTA Education Commissioner has come to an end and I have chosen not to go for another term. I have left the Board and some other related positions and am free to pursue other things. I have some friends who have been noisy cheerleaders for this action and a long-suffering husband who is happy to see me at this bend in the road.
So where to go from here? That’s the big question, isn’t it? I found Deb’s blog and want to Pay It Forward to her this week because she has the idea I want to embrace. Her blog profile says “I am a lifelong learner exploring new adventures after 32 years as an educator.” I’ve always thought of myself as a lifelong learner AND an adventurer, so her blog was fun to click around and see what she’s doing with her life.
My One Little Word for 2011 is BALANCE and here are the things I want to balance in the last half of 2011 as I step off on my new path, in no particular order.
- quilting
- reading
- scrapbooking
- gardening
- family history
- service to family
- service to friends
- some child advocating
- learning Photoshop Elements
- blogging
- practicing piano
- exercising
- organizing and cleaning out my home
- crocheting
Let the adventures begin!
I love this post … and that is one long list to balance. If anyone can do it, however, you can! I’m cheering for you in all of you new adventures, but especially the service to friends part! ;-D Really… I want you to do everything that makes you happy.
Have a wonderful journey!
PS. You’ll be happy to know that “our tree” got a hair cut and some special nutrients today. It’s happy.
XOXO
Sue,
Thank you so much for the Pay It Forward!!! While checking my comments this morning, Holly@Life-Size Catholic said she was stopping by due to your post-so a big thank you to her as well. I want to say thank you for mentioning my blog. Coming to a “bend in the road” causes all of us anxious moments. Choosing balance as your one little word is wonderful! Your list is impressive and full of promise. I wasn’t sure how to become a follower of your blog…so I added it to my favorites bar. I look forward to reading about your new path and adventures.
Thank you again!
Deb
While I’m in the thick of raising four boys and homeschooling them, I do sometimes think about life when they are grown.
So glad to find you via the Pay it Forward meme and I’m looking forward to following you journey through life, too.
Sue, what a great list. Perhaps if I actually wrote a list for myself I wouldn’t feel like every time I came to a bend in my road, I was faced with road construction and detour signs! Thanks for a great post. Now, I’m off to visit Deb’s blog.
I wish you the best as you explore this new part of your life!