Opportunity

I've been in a funk. I'm sad and stressed and sick to my stomach. I need a respite.

Last year at this time, we had four cats. I love my cats. I truly am the crazy cat lady. In October, my buddy, Bucky, went into congestive heart failure and we had to say good bye. The middle of June, Shidd got sick. The vet couldn't figure out what was going on. Then one day, he went for his morning walk and never came back. Shortly after Shidd was gone, Mrs. Black started declining. For two weeks we've gone back and forth to, is she going to die or is she getting better. Trying to work with the vet to figure it out, but rapidly running out of money from vet bills!

My job is stressful. I'm finding myself not keeping up - being disorganized - not following through. All things that simply are not me. I'm finding myself counting the days instead of the years to retirement (955).

I don't want to do anything. My blogs have gotten behind. My training business sits waiting. I cry all the time. I simply want to hibernate until it's all over.

So why am I telling you this? Because today I vow to move forward. To put one foot in front of the other and move beyond the circumstances. Today I will work harder at taking care of myself and not just everyone else. Today is my day.

Life isn't always the easy path. Those rough trails build our character. They lead us into place we might not otherwise go. And, as Albert Einstein said,
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity".

Today I claim it.

International Women's Day

Today in International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the achievements of women. This year's theme is Press for Progress. Women have already come so far, it's sad to think about how far we still need to go. But on this day of celebrating women, I'm called to think about the women that have made a difference in my life - and there have been so many.

My mom, of course, was a part of who I am. She left this earth far to soon, but I am thankful for her progressive way of thinking. She taught me that I can do anything I want if I'm willing to work for it. And as women, we often have to work harder, but nothing is beyond my reach.

My sister continues to cheer me on in everything I do. She's my best friend and my confidant. And she's one of the strongest women I know. She keeps my grounded but allows me soar.

And my best friend in California - my oldest friend (besides my sister). She pushes me to think harder and questions my ideas. Sometimes she frustrates me with it, but always stretches my thoughts. And always respects my choices.

My mother in law, for the short time I knew her, welcomed me as part of the family with open arms. She was a career woman by choice, long before it was an accepted practice. She was strength and love and compassion and joy all rolled into a small little bundle. I wish I could have known her longer.

And there are so many others - my college adviser, my thesis second reader, supervisors in several of my jobs...The list could go on and on.

And so to all of these women, mentioned and not, thank you. Thank you for setting the example of what a woman is. For encouraging me to be all that I can be.