#28

"No one longs for what he or she already has, and yet the accumulated insight of those wise about the spiritual life suggests that the reason so many of us cannot see the red X that marks the spot is because we are standing on it.  The treasure we seek requires no lengthy expedition, no expensive equipment, no superior aptitude or special company. All we lack is the willingness to imagine that we already have everything we need. The only thing missing is our consent to be where we are.” - Barbara Brown Taylor

I saw this quote on a popular blog recently (maybe you did too?).  And, it about perfectly summed up a few things I’ve been mulling over lately.

The last year

I’ve been thinking a lot about the turning of the page on a new year.  2012 was weird.  Great, yes, but weird.  I never grew up with some idea of who I’d be by when.  I didn’t think I’d get married at a specific age, or have children by a different precise time.  I never gave myself a deadline on a thriving career nor have I ever limited goals I have to a timeline.  But, I think I got stuck in the in-between in 2012.  I was somewhere between enjoying what I have and emptily going after more.  I rode the waves so to speak.   I spent too much time looking ahead and asking myself “what if?” 

 So, I have spent the last week doing some exploring.  The type of exploring that has nothing to do with seeing landmarks.  I’ve shared coffee and emails with people who inspire me.  I’ve sat and picked the brains of those I admire and I’ve set my sights on some lofty aspirations.  And, many of these aspirations continue to have no deadline.  I’m getting back to a style that has worked for me and doing away with all of this second-guessing. 

In short, here’s what I’m trying to say.  I know I’m exactly where I should be on my 28th birthday because I had no idea where I wanted to be on this day to begin with.  I’ve out-kicked my coverage in so many areas of my life that it’s easy to sit back and – gulp – get complacent.  So, I resolve in 2013 to own the red “x” that I stand on in a way that gives consent to where I’m at and helps catapult me to where I need to go. 

I wrote this elsewhere recently…

“There is a huge part of me that believes “having it all” means appreciating all that you have been given.  I know that I have an amazing husband, a career that I enjoy and family and friends who are second to none.  Therefore, I can’t help but think that this is my ‘all’ and that my future lies in enjoying all that these things offer me.”

Cheers to #28, friends!