Those are the words engraved on a sterling silver ring that adorns the ring finger on my right hand. Shortly before I became pregnant, my mom and I took a day-trip to Laguna Beach, one of my favorite places and a place I wanted to share with one of my favorite people. I have nothing but fond memories of our trip, and to forever commemorate our day in Laguna together, my mom bought me this special souvenir.
I wear the ring (one of eight) daily. But lately, I realized that I wasn’t being true to my ring. Was I spending my day practicing any of these verbs - desire, dream, reach, soar? When I was honest with myself, I admitted that it wasn’t enough to merely have a desire or a dream, was I acting on it? Was I reaching for it, was I trying to soar?
Honestly, the answer was, “Not really.”
I was spending my days checking things off my to-do list: setting up appointments, renewing prescriptions, paying bills, cleaning, cooking. I was toiling away in a career I was becoming increasingly disheartened with. And in between, I’d have moments of bliss playing and being with my son and moments of exhaustion taking care of my son (meal times, bedtime routine). Scattered somewhere in there, was a random hour to pursue my
desire, my dream, to write.
My life is imbalanced, with the pendulum favoring the list of things I need to do, instead of the things I’d like to do.
I’m going to change that.
2013 will be a big year for me. It’s the year I turn 37, and those numbers have always held special significance for me. 3 and 7 have always been my preferred numbers (not sure if they’re really lucky). My birthday is 3/7. And both my mom and my son celebrate their birthdays on 03/30.
The lunar new year declares 2013 is the year of the snake. I declare 2013 the year of Wendy. As selfish as that initially sounds, I am hoping that a focus on me will have a positive domino effect that will benefit those closest to me.
2013 is the year I admit I am not the same Wendy I was. 2013 is the year I admit I live with a chronic medical condition. 2013 is the year I make some changes.
Changes that will allow me to desire, to dream, to reach, and to soar.
Honey,
ReplyDeleteYour article is amazing!
It makes me think of one of my favorite Steve Jobs quotes:
"For the past 33 years I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."
2013 will be the year of Wendy!
I Love You with all of my heart!
Paul
I so hope you make good on all those changes and start doing for Wendy.I am so hopeful that this year you will have at least a little less pain than you have had to deal with.I had never been to Laguna and I really did enjoy that day we spent together.I love reading your work.I love you and I am very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteLove,mommy
When one door closes another door opens, I learned this when I read the book "Who Moved the Cheese". To me you already soar, as evidence by your many published articles. Your Mother & I are proud of you.
ReplyDeleteLove, Dad
Awesome! The year of Wendy! That is fantastic! Too many people live their whole life going through the motions, never really pursuing their passion for a number of reasons.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was laid off his job when we were pregnant with Kyle. He says he was “invited to pursue other opportunities!” :) As devastating and scary as that news was, it also allowed him time to re-evaluate some things. It was during that time that he decided to pursue his passion/vision and he started his own business. Through his business, he’s had the opportunity to encourage, motivate and teach others to pursue their own dreams. The layoff turned out to be one of the best things that could happen to him! I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason…
I completely agree; your decision to focus more on the things you like to do will have a positive domino effect on those around you! And there is nothing selfish about that. :)
Denine
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jane and I'm with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about Laguna Beach to share on our site and I came across your post...If you're open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you :)
Jane