What's a girl to do when all she did was put her eggs in one basket? I’m not implying that putting your eggs in one basket is necessarily wrong, however lets just say it was the wrong basket. I would like to say I placed my eggs, positioned, and repositioned them several different times, and whatta you know, the eggs just stayed the same. That’s when the inevitable happened! My eggs! Oh. There you guys are, but hey where’s the basket? Oh, I get it. Eggs in hand, I set off for grad school, moved in with the padres, called all my friends and family, and thankfully everyone picked up the phone to hear the good news. With support on my back and love in my heart, I’m setting off on a simple plan to reclaim my 20’s and get back to my uncomplicated existence. : ) Seems like a perfect plan right. Perfect is such a wrong word-why in the world does it even exist in the dictionary? Perfection is never the right word. With that said, my plan is to write this blog for comfort. My comfort in writing, as I often did when I had the time and energy. It allows me to express and showcase some of the many great and not so great things that happen in…clearing my throat, The Plan.
We all have a plan I guess. Sharing it is what we do these days... on FB, Blogger, twitter. We display our education, work, relationship status and like some, our whole lives. However, what does it mean when you see a quick glimpse of someone’s FB wall? How are they really feeling or what are they really thinking about The Plan. Some of the free-spiriter's out there think they don’t have a plan, but they really do. Moreover, we rigid folks have a very detailed plan that is laid out, and yep when life takes a detour, we fall to shit. So what about us people in the middle? What about us? I think I’m that “us” that kinda plans as we go. You hear about Plan A and Plan B. I’m not referring to that, just referring to those of us, that never had a plan A. We just go along hoping for the best…right. I don’t know. All I do know is if you understand where I’m going with this, then your probably that “us” I’m referring to.
I recently saw the movie Eat Pray Love. Liked, ok I’ll admit I loved it. Elizabeth Gilbert even calls her success a freak show…true dat. However, the irony is not that she divorced her annoying husband to seek an adventure abroad. Her dream wasn’t necessarily to catch a plane to nowhere. I think she was just sick of the bullshit. The bullshit about our existence and our purpose.
I’m in the middle of my first semester of grad school. So far so good. The Catholic boys seem to spark my attention…so when I’m not off dreaming about one swooping me off my feet or better yet, taking me into the locker room; I like to think that I’m off thinking about whats the next thing I can do for a family member or a friend. I recently found two great opportunities-plan my friend Laura and Jackie's bachelorette parties.
I was also asked to attend the Make a Wish at Disney for my friends youngest child. I'm honored.
So my plan for this spring and summer is to be there for my friends and family and make sure they have the best time of their lives. So far so good. Oh, and make A’s in my classes this semester. May seem expected, but its my plan-for now.
I share your love of EAT PRAY LOVE. Sometimes when life gets rough, or you come to a fork in the proverbial path. . . you have to go back to the basics (thus eat, pray, love). We as women often are pulled in 1000 different directions. I am 21 and I already feel like I have to be super-woman to fulfill even half of those roles. As a nursing student, friend, employee (though recently unemployed-don't even get me started), dreamer, planner, and worrier. . .I find myself daunted by all that I still have to accomplish. That is why I felt the movie EAT PRAY LOVE spoke to me in a way that I didn't expect. I mean it was about a woman in her mid-30's who is already settled in her career and was getting a divorce and flying all over the world. If you look at it in just that way, the only thing we would have in common was the love of traveling. But me, being the deep thinker I am, saw similarities in other areas. The unrest Elizabeth felt is in my heart to. How do you ever know that you are making the right decisions? You can PRAY (EAT PRAY LOVE) about it and trust that God will lead you down the right path. But lets face it, even though I am a devout Christian and truly believe everything happens for a reason, I still am very human in my weaknesses. You can't sit on the couch waiting for an epiphany, so you do your best to make sense of life and keep your priorities in check. As for the EAT and LOVE part of my life. . . I believe good health and good health habits (like eating good for you foods), is extremely important. Sorry, it's the nurse in me =) But I will be the first to admit, ice cream or a cold beer and cheeseburger after a hard day or tough exam is just what the doctor (ok nursing student) orders! Now Elizabeth was fortunate enough to be able to go to Italy and eat gourmet food and be surrounded by hot Italian boys for weeks, but you can apply this to your life to. She explained it as a time for celebration and total relaxation. (And they are truly correct in the movie when they say us Americans are bad at this). I don't always take the EAT part for face value. I just think of it as an indulgence, if you will, in the good life. You could insert whatever you want in that category as far as I'm concerned. Joining a gym and getting that hot body you wish you had, getting a manicure or pedicure with the girls, having lunch with your grandma, or a movie night with your friends (sorry, in my case there is no "special guy" right now, but if your lucky enough to have one--feel free to bring him). The point is. . .take care of yourself. Take time to "smell the roses", give yourself rewards for accomplishing something difficult. If you don't take care of yourself. . who will?? And lastly (sorry, those who know me, know I love to talk), LOVE. Find what you love in life. And I don't mean your calling (though this is extremely important to). Find what you love about life. Walks in the park/neighborhood, volunteering at an animal shelter, going to look at the new exhibit at the museum, taking a cooking class, etc. It can be anything! Find the things that you love about your life. Family, friends, faith, health, happiness, etc. When you start thinking in these terms. . .about your blessings. . , its hard to feel so down. So take those blessings and love of life and share it. For example, I have been going through some really stressful situations at school and my friends have been periodically calling to check up on me, sending encouraging messages, and just being there for me when I need them. They are showing me that I matter, that they care, and that they love me. Spreading the love can be your motto to!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited that you are helping with the wedding and planning bachelorette party. I also love that we're getting to hang out again, I missed you. I am excited you are reclaiming your 20s and that you're back in school. Remember I'm here for you chica :)! Love you!
ReplyDeleteJackie, I love that I'm back where it all began. Life is way too short to be miserable. Your wedding and wedding events are going to be a blast. Can't wait and I'm glad to be a part of it. Also, looking forward to meeting up over and over again at your neighbors MLT's. Good times await!
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