Roll With the Punches (A Message of Hope)

It is New Years Day.  As others make resolutions and think about the fresh start of a new year, I'm remarkably unmoved by the whole thing.  On New Year's Eve, like on all other nights, the sun set and rose again to begin a new day. The truth is, in my opinion, the date isn't what determines an opportunity for a fresh start.  You chose when you want a fresh start and you decide what that means to you.

Today, I have no actual resolutions.  I don't feel any different than I did yesterday.  It's no secret that 2012 was an incredibly difficult year for me.  With my grandparents in and out of hospitals and nursing homes every few weeks, friends and family going through major life changes and struggles, relationships coming and going... and on and on... I cried many tears, lost a lot of sleep, drove hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles to be with my loved ones in their times of need and somehow lived to tell about it.

I'm writing to you today from a Starbucks.  My heart led me here today and I'm not sure why.  Something about a change of scenery and a hot beverage seemed like a lovely escape and that it is. On my drive over here, a Jo Dee Messina song was randomly selected by my beloved iPod and filled my car with a tune I haven't heard in a long time.  It's a song called "That's The Way."  I'd like to share a few lines with you:

My dreams fell out of the clear blue sky

And I was lost in the clouds

Feeling so safe and sound

Then something else knocks me down

That's the way it is

You've gotta roll with the punches

That's the way it goes

You've gotta bend when the wind blows

You live you learn

You crash and burn

It's hit or miss and that's the way it is

Isn't that the way it is sometimes?  It sure has been for me.  The line, "you've gotta roll with the punches" struck a chord with me tonight.  I understand the meaning of the idiom, but began to wonder where such a phrase came from.  Well, by the glory of Google, I figured it out!

Appropriately enough, the act of "rolling with the punches" relates to boxing.  It is a technique in which a boxer moves or rolls away from a punch to avoid a direct hit and if they still take the hit, hopefully by moving away, the power of the blow will be lessened.  (Info found here)

If 2012 taught me anything, it was how to roll with the punches.  I learned to see more clearly, make better decisions and effectively be there for others during the most difficult struggles.  Through all of the challenges I faced in the past year, I never stopped dreaming and never stopped finding things to make me feel like I was really living.  There were times when I felt so loved and had so much gratitude that I couldn't contain my joy.  There were also times when stopping the flow of my tears seemed like an impossible task.  

This is sounding kind of bleak, isn't it?  Hang in there, it's really a message of hope.  I promise!  

I started out this post by telling you I believe you have the power to make a fresh start any day, any time.  If today really is the day for your fresh start, I wish you the very best, from the bottom of my heart.  If you came up a resolution so just so you will have an answer when someone asks you what your resolution is, don't worry if it doesn't work out for you.  When you're ready to make a change in your life, make it.  Don't worry about the date.  

My hope for you in this new year is that you will bend when the wind blows and roll with the punches.  Life is sure to throw some punches at each of us this year, but if you can see it coming, do what you can to move out of the way and minimize the blow.  If you can't see it coming, lean on those close to you.  Find help in whatever form you need it.  Know that every troublesome experience is only a moment in time.  It will pass.  Someone told me that last year and it has become a mantra of sorts for me.  It has proven true 100% of the time.  I hope you will remember it as well.  It has made a world of difference for me.

Finally, in those glorious moments when there's not a proverbial fist attempting to to deliver a whopping blow to you, take a moment to smell the roses.  Go for a walk, have a cup of coffee and catch up on some reading, set out to achieve something, cross something off your bucket list, lay around and watch movies with someone close to you... anything that brings joy to your heart.  Things are never perfect, but when there is a moment to breathe, take it.  Enjoy it.  Savor it.  Smile.  There's a lot of good out there.  Really there is.  And you have an opportunity to be a part of it.    

Thought for the day:  The more time you spend trying to figure life out, the less time you spend actually living.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Women

A couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call at work from one of my college professors.  She had spent some time tracking me down to find out how to get a hold of me.  It was not only wonderful to hear from her, but she was calling to invite me to sit on a panel and speak to one of her classes.  It is always an honor to be offered the opportunity to go back to campus and share some of my knowledge and experiences with students.

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, Conventions and Event Management from Indiana University which I earned attending the IUPUI campus.  The TCEM program gave me a solid foundation for all I have done in my professional life.  I remember how valuable it was when industry professionals would come in to speak to the classes I was taking in college.  I remember so much from what those individuals shared and how much I was able to learn about different aspects of the industry.  It is incredible to think that I am now the one offering up information about the path I took and my place in the industry.

Walking into the classroom, it was so nice to see my past professor and give her a hug.  There were a few minutes to get acquainted with the other four ladies who were on the panel as well.  Two of them I knew as we had gone through the program around the same time.  The other two were new faces.

Just prior to the beginning of class, two other professors who had given me great inspiration during my college career strolled in and took a seat as well.  It took a moment for me to take this in. These professors took time out of their day to sit through a class I was at the front of.  Wow!  How wonderful!

When the professor gave her class introduction, she indicated that this was the first time in her many years of teaching that she had an entirely female class.  I looked around and saw it was true. There were 18 women sitting at the desks around the room.  She said she had purposely sought out  five industry professionals who were also women to talk to this class.  How cool!

There's something so special about being in a group of women.  This is something I've only realized in the last year.  It may not surprise you to know that traditionally, I haven't understood the value in having close friends who are women.  With my interests and attitude, men have been easier to be friends with.

Last year, I started reading some books that were written to speak to the hearts of women.  (No, not 50 Shades of Grey... though I can greatly enjoy that kind of "women's book" too).  I was amazed at how deeply I connected with those books.  Because I am not the "typical" female in any way, shape or form, I anticipated the authors to have a hard time reaching me.

It really hit me while reading, Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge.  This little quote sums up the essence of the book quite well, "Every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the beauty of the story. Those desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart."

The book talks about the things that are truly at the core of a woman's heart.  Despite what her interests are or how life has affected her, these things seem to be universal.  Reading this book softened my heart and my attitude a bit.  It made me realize that I don't have to be 100% tough all the time.  I can have my guyish hobbies, but still be feminine at heart.  What an incredible revelation.  

Not only was did I become more passionate about the beauty of being a woman, but I suddenly felt a connection to other women.  If the things I read were true of me, they must be true of other women as well.  Maybe I had more in common with them than I ever realized.  I now consider it a blessing to have the opportunity to share time and experiences with the women in my life.  

What Will Today Hold?

I have another blog that I write in just for myself, but I pulled this post from a couple of months ago out of it and wanted to share it with you tonight.  Enjoy!


As I am writing this, it is still early in the day, but I wanted to open up a new post.  There's really nothing to report yet, but a question just popped into my head... "What will today hold?"

Kind of an interesting thought really.  Thinking about my blog and what there will be to say about today I realize I have a lot of power.  I have been given a whole day.  How will I use this day?  What will I do?  What decisions will I make?  What people will I see?  Will something remarkable happen?  These are all decisions I can begin making right now!  It's about more than just what plans I have on my calendar.  It's about every little moment.

At this moment, the things I know today holds are going to the grocery store and making chili for a friend tonight.  He's let me use his truck multiple times for my project and even picked up a special order at Menards for me, so he requested that I make chili and mac & cheese as a way to return the favor.

Later in the Afternoon...
Something wonderful did happen today.  I wore my US Navy sweatshirt to work today.  The yellow one that my cousin got for me that I love so much.  On my lunch break I was in WalMart and an old man approached me and asked if I was in the Navy. I told him, "No, but I've got a cousin who is." He then proceeded to tell me he was a retired Marine Corps Colonel. We talked a short time and I told him about my grampa who was a Sergeant in the Marines and my father who was in the Navy as well. By the time we were done talking, I had to quickly walk away because I was so proud of my family and their service and so thankful for all who serve that I was in tears.  He left me with a, "Semper Fi".  I'm still tearing up thinking about it now.  I was absolutely overflowing with love and thankfulness.  

One simple decision I made today lead to this blessed moment.  I chose to dress way down and wear a Navy hoodie.  I was thinking about my cousin when I put it on and was so proud to wear it today.  All because of that one little decision I met this man and my world was brightened.