In reading some literature for my new role at ABVI I came across this blurb. Not only did it help me in understanding parenting...it also has some spiritual parallels and other implications or life. Thought I would share....
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip-to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says. "Welcome to Holland."
"HOLLAND?!? you say. "What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in flight plans. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
Do you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around....and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss.
But....if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
random friday thoughts....
Day four of whole30...its so much easier this time. I am learning a lot more about what I am doing and why. I am able to be whole hearted about it instead of a state of desperation. I am also so grateful for the opportunity to teach what I have learned to those who are interested.
I am addicted to reading. I find myself listening to books and reading as if I am binging. I am also addicted to buying books. I have about 10 books between my audible account and hard cover...plus coutless kindle books on my list. I have already completed 44 books this year and have about three more in the works...not including a yearly run through of the Bible in some way shape or form.
I love my coworkers and everything about their quirkiness. I am so grateful for their support in teaching me my job and bringing me along side them. I am grateful for the ways in which they simply make me laugh and entertain me with their lives. What is a challenge for me, and my office mate, is the relaxed slow paced way things are done. To me, I cringe at inefficiency and I strive to work hard and long...so being able to just stop and chat about cars breaking, lack of hot water, baby's development and food. Food is a constant no matter where I am.
This week my sister started her senior year of high school. First of all this makes me feel really old. It seems like just yesterday that mom put her on the bus for kindergarten. Or how about the memory of her playing barbie's, or learning to talk and walk. Secondly it makes me think back to my senior year and everything that entails. But most importantly it helps me to remember where I came from and where I am at, and I am grateful for that. I never had a dream of being this far, I was taking it one day at a time. When I finished high school it was just understood that I would go to college...but after that who knew what I would do? I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. Now I could never imagine not being where I am at. I have an awesome spiritual family, have learned so much and have an incredible job. I am provided for and have done far more than anyone ever thought I would do. I have been given so much.
I am addicted to reading. I find myself listening to books and reading as if I am binging. I am also addicted to buying books. I have about 10 books between my audible account and hard cover...plus coutless kindle books on my list. I have already completed 44 books this year and have about three more in the works...not including a yearly run through of the Bible in some way shape or form.
I love my coworkers and everything about their quirkiness. I am so grateful for their support in teaching me my job and bringing me along side them. I am grateful for the ways in which they simply make me laugh and entertain me with their lives. What is a challenge for me, and my office mate, is the relaxed slow paced way things are done. To me, I cringe at inefficiency and I strive to work hard and long...so being able to just stop and chat about cars breaking, lack of hot water, baby's development and food. Food is a constant no matter where I am.
This week my sister started her senior year of high school. First of all this makes me feel really old. It seems like just yesterday that mom put her on the bus for kindergarten. Or how about the memory of her playing barbie's, or learning to talk and walk. Secondly it makes me think back to my senior year and everything that entails. But most importantly it helps me to remember where I came from and where I am at, and I am grateful for that. I never had a dream of being this far, I was taking it one day at a time. When I finished high school it was just understood that I would go to college...but after that who knew what I would do? I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. Now I could never imagine not being where I am at. I have an awesome spiritual family, have learned so much and have an incredible job. I am provided for and have done far more than anyone ever thought I would do. I have been given so much.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Take two
Back in April Jenn and I embarked on the Whole30 adventure. It was at that point and probably still is one of the most food related challenges I have ever been on. I had to learn how to eat and cook all over again. Out went the Mac n cheese. Away went the beef ravioli. And goodbye went the ice cream.
When we started I knew what we could Nd couldn't eat. But I was taking it one day at a time and didn't take the time to fully understand the full spectrum of what food was doing to me. Now as we embark on round two with four new participants I am taking the adventure to the next level. This time I am prepared with experience, two books on the impact of food, several articles and loads of websites and recipes. This time I take the challenge farther by using what I have learned to teach and lead others on this journey.
Why do it again?
It worked the first time. But I wasn't prepared for the journey or the story after Whole30 when I began. One Oreo became two. One cookie became Chinese for lunch. And one almond joy became today's large piece of apple pie. The cravings have half returned and I want this to be s life long journey to eat foods that love me back.
Last time I had several foods I wanted to try or like before the end. Here is the update:
Avocado: still nasty.
Tomatoes: love them cooked. Can stomach a few raw.
Tea: LOVE
Fish: like talapia. Dislike salmon
This time around?
Want to learn about and decide about various organic foods including meat.
Want to try at least one more type of fish.
Want to re-evaluate the broccoli family
Want to learn two more dishes in the crockpot.
Want to compile a box of recipes to have on hand.
Alright. The adventure starts Tuesday. I wonder what I will eat before the kick off.........
When we started I knew what we could Nd couldn't eat. But I was taking it one day at a time and didn't take the time to fully understand the full spectrum of what food was doing to me. Now as we embark on round two with four new participants I am taking the adventure to the next level. This time I am prepared with experience, two books on the impact of food, several articles and loads of websites and recipes. This time I take the challenge farther by using what I have learned to teach and lead others on this journey.
Why do it again?
It worked the first time. But I wasn't prepared for the journey or the story after Whole30 when I began. One Oreo became two. One cookie became Chinese for lunch. And one almond joy became today's large piece of apple pie. The cravings have half returned and I want this to be s life long journey to eat foods that love me back.
Last time I had several foods I wanted to try or like before the end. Here is the update:
Avocado: still nasty.
Tomatoes: love them cooked. Can stomach a few raw.
Tea: LOVE
Fish: like talapia. Dislike salmon
This time around?
Want to learn about and decide about various organic foods including meat.
Want to try at least one more type of fish.
Want to re-evaluate the broccoli family
Want to learn two more dishes in the crockpot.
Want to compile a box of recipes to have on hand.
Alright. The adventure starts Tuesday. I wonder what I will eat before the kick off.........
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