It's been a long time, but I've been kinda busy. Life, love, graduating, moving...all too much to handle in a few short months!

I successfully defended and submitted my thesis. So, it's official. I will get my Master's on December 19th. What a long, uncertain journey this has been. And, it seems it is only just beginning!

I received Orders to New Orleans. A brand new place for a brand new adventure. Which, in a lot of ways, got me to thinking about where I am and where I choose to go. Choice. What a powerful word. Some believe that our thoughts dictate those things which we choose to bring into our lives. This sounds like a great ideal on the surface, but I struggle with Human Nature and the power of negative thinking. We all do it, it is just the degree that varies. Does that mean that we all attract things into our lives which we truly do not want?

I never thought I "wanted" to go to New Orleans. In fact, I was all geared up to head out to Hawaii and spend three fabulous years on the beach. But, alas, the Coast Guard had something else in mind. Although, I really believe that God has something else in mind. Which is fine, except sometimes I feel like I am the last one to be let in on the secret. In this case, I have NO IDEA what this new adventure holds in store. Yet, I know it is the right thing because my faith allows me no other option.

I think choice is really pretty simple: either try to maintain a false sense of control over ALL aspects of life OR do what you can to make things work out the way you think you want them to and then LET GO of the rest, give it to God, and let FAITH take over. Ok, easier said than done. But, what I've discovered during this part of my journey is that the latter (while difficult) is so much EASIER in the long run. Because, really, the best way to make God laugh is to tell him (or her) that you have a plan.

Our plans are just that - plans. They are not concrete. They are not what define us. Yes, plans and goals are important because they give us tangible markers, a way to move forward and grow. BUT, we have to remain flexible and have FAITH that the Universe provides and all will work out as it should.

So, with that, I am off to continue packing and move on to the next great adventure. See you in New Orleans!

Another Marathon? Well, Maybe

During our kayak trip, when Kristin mentioned that she was interested in running a marathon this year, I jumped at the opportunity to be her local running buddy. Kristin and I officially started our marathon training this morning! Forcing myself out of bed before the sun was up took me back to my days on Guam when my friend Donna and I came up with the brilliant idea of training for and running the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon. After that race, I promised myself I would do another marathon, to improve what I felt was a lacking time. What I am realizing as I get older, however, is that it is not always the end result that is important. Rather, it is the journey experienced on the way to the finish line that counts.

As I was surfing the web this evening, I came across Working, Playing, Running, which seemed to come at just the right time. Funny how the Universe works. Just when all seems impossible, INSPIRATION strikes - sometimes in the form of someone else's insights. I need some inspiration here, because I am finding that life continues to throw me curve balls, even when my catcher's mitt is not behind the mound. Of late, these curve balls have been in the form of (I hesitate to use the word failed, but...) failed relationships. Failed doesn't seem quite appropriate though because I learned so much from each one. Nevertheless, the end result was just that - an end, and was in no way what I anticipated, expected or wanted when I first started down each relationship path.

So, maybe training for this marathon is a great thing to do right now. I have forged several amazing friendships with past running partners, and Kristin is no exception. It seems like there is magic to the sport. A way to find peace and balance, even when my knees are screaming.

So, I continue on my journey. Trying to find BALANCE amongst chaos, amongst perceived failure, amongst endings and realizing that each ending must give way to a new beginning.