Living Intentionally in 2013!
Since becoming a mother, a lot about me has changed (understatement of the year). I am really learning who I am. I feel like motherhood has a way of exposing our true characters, and I'll be honest and say that I cringe when I see some of my true character coming out. It's not all bad of course - I do have SOME redeeming qualities :) But I want to build my own character. I want my son to see how I live and be inspired - much like I have been by my own parents.
I worry sometimes that Grayson will not see me as an inspirational figure. His daddy goes out every day, finds the bad guys and takes care of the good guys. There is something very admirable about that profession, one that little kids love to emulate by playing cops and robbers! Mike is also very brave, kind, genuinely funny and caring. I think he is a shoo-in when it comes to being an inspirational figure.
Along with Mike, I have several friends that inspire me to be a better person. One that comes right to mind is my good friend Mindy.
As a result, I have been trying to push myself lately and fight my tendencies to become a hermit. Since I am no longer in an office setting, and the majority of interactions I have each day are usually limited between a 5 month old, a Bichon and myself, it would make sense where I would lean into the hermit way of life. However, I am trying to stretch myself a little bit, and even though it momentarily makes me feel uncomfortable or vulnerable - I have to say that I have been reaping the rewards of it.
I am a naturally reserved person. I get this honestly. I am no extrovert. Put me in front of a group of people, and I clam up. Give me a situation where I need to meet new people, and I almost have a panic attack. I enjoy being a loner. Give me an empty house, a book and nothing to do all day, and I will be a very happy camper. Of course I haven't been able to indulge like that since before Grayson was born.
My goal/resolution this year was to live intentionally. To immerse myself in new things, try stuff out for size, to grow.
And so that is what I am doing. Putting myself out there. Meeting people. Volunteering. Finding what my niche is.
And that is one reason I haven't been blogging much lately. I am way too busy being social. So weird for me to actually say that, but it is the truth.
What have you done lately to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
I worry sometimes that Grayson will not see me as an inspirational figure. His daddy goes out every day, finds the bad guys and takes care of the good guys. There is something very admirable about that profession, one that little kids love to emulate by playing cops and robbers! Mike is also very brave, kind, genuinely funny and caring. I think he is a shoo-in when it comes to being an inspirational figure.
Along with Mike, I have several friends that inspire me to be a better person. One that comes right to mind is my good friend Mindy.
Let me tell you a little about Mindy. She and I worked in the same office from 2006 to 2007. Just a little over a year, but I found myself a forever friend. I remember sitting near her - before I met her officially - and hearing her interact with the people around her - I often thought to myself, "She has a fun laugh. I would love to be friends with her."
We went to lunch one day with a mutual work friend, and I learned she had a lot of the same beliefs and values as I did. I told her after lunch, "I have been praying that I would find some fellow Christians to be friends with here." And she said, "Well here I am!"
And so a friendship happened, and I am forever thankful for that. At one point, we lived 5 miles away from each other and saw each other nearly every day, but changes in careers and circumstances have moved us 2 hours away from each other. We have transitioned from work friends to being newly weds at the same time to mommies.
About a year ago, I met Mindy in Cbus at a Red Robin, and we caught up on life since we hadn't seen each other for much too long.
She inspired me that day. (She continues to inspire me of course.) She told me that she knows her daughter is watching what she does, and she wants to be a good example - and she has immersed herself in so many great causes - specifically abolishing human trafficking. I remember thinking as she talked, "I want to be like that! I want to be a good example for my child."
As a result, I have been trying to push myself lately and fight my tendencies to become a hermit. Since I am no longer in an office setting, and the majority of interactions I have each day are usually limited between a 5 month old, a Bichon and myself, it would make sense where I would lean into the hermit way of life. However, I am trying to stretch myself a little bit, and even though it momentarily makes me feel uncomfortable or vulnerable - I have to say that I have been reaping the rewards of it.
I am a naturally reserved person. I get this honestly. I am no extrovert. Put me in front of a group of people, and I clam up. Give me a situation where I need to meet new people, and I almost have a panic attack. I enjoy being a loner. Give me an empty house, a book and nothing to do all day, and I will be a very happy camper. Of course I haven't been able to indulge like that since before Grayson was born.
My goal/resolution this year was to live intentionally. To immerse myself in new things, try stuff out for size, to grow.
And so that is what I am doing. Putting myself out there. Meeting people. Volunteering. Finding what my niche is.
And that is one reason I haven't been blogging much lately. I am way too busy being social. So weird for me to actually say that, but it is the truth.
What have you done lately to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
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