Loving the Journey...

As I'm sure most of you are aware, we are experiencing some severe weather here on the East Coast (thanks Hurricane Sandy). I'm not complaining too much though, as it does give us an extra day to rest and relax; which I personally, desperately need at the moment. I'm also using some of this time to consider my next steps. 

New York has been great; but I am starting to feel restless. I'm considering my options and putting great thought into what I would like to do next. I've put in an application to volunteer at a wildlife preserve in South Africa this summer and am considering simplifying life considerably and moving to Vermont in the fall - renting a little cottage, working part-time and concentrating on the things I love doing (a sabbatical of sorts). If not now - when, right?

In all honesty, I do miss Virginia, but I don't think its time to go back yet. There are still some things I need to see and experience. I feel a little like the leaves blowing outside my window - I'm floating, not sure where I'm going to end up. I'll guess I'll get there eventually. Right now, I'm staying excited for the journey and learning to love the process.

Until next time...

Take your risks now, as you grow older you become more fearful and less flexible.

                                                                                           -Amy Poehler

If Not Now, When?

It's been a busy weekend and I was really looking forward to a lazy Sunday. That being said...I'm not sure how I found myself running on a high school track at 7:00 this morning. 

Those of you that know me, know that I am NOT a runner. In fact, it has always been one of my least favorite things to do in the world. So much so, that if I was being chased by a bear, I would seriously have to debate whether to run for my life or fall down and play dead.

But I digress...back to this morning...

When my mother invited me to go running this morning, I wanted to decline, roll over and go back to sleep; but I decided to get up because I've been all about trying new experiences lately. "Who knows," I thought, "maybe I'll get out there and decide I love it."

Well, I did not decide I loved running; but it was not as bad as I thought it would be...in fact, I will admit (grudgingly), I felt really good afterward. I then proceeded to come home and complete an at home cross-fit work out, which maaayyy have been a bit too much after this morning's foray around the track, but hey, you live and you learn right? The point is, I tried something new; something I never thought I could even remotely enjoy and discovered that it really wasn't that bad. 

We all know, doing the same thing day after day and expecting different results is the definition of madness. If we want something different for our lives, we must be willing to branch out and do things differently than we always have. 

I recently read the following quote by Colin Wright:

You have exactly one life in which to do everything you'll ever do. Act accordingly.

I am reminding myself of this everyday. Life is a series of moments called now. Don't wait for tomorrow to live the life you've always envisioned                                                                       

This Month...

Fall is upon us. The air is crisp, temperatures have cooled and everywhere you look, you can see vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves beginning to peek out from amongst the green.

As we transition into this new season, take the time to try something you've always wanted to do, but could never find the time for.

School has been so busy the past month, that between work and moving, I haven't had the time to really enjoy my "free time." Yoga has been on the back burner, and I haven't been to the park in weeks. This month, I have decided that I will mindfully make the time to do the things that nourish my soul, mind and body.

I've signed up for Cross-Fit training and am signing up for a pottery class. My decision in signing up for these two activities is two-fold. First, they are both something I am interested in and feel I would enjoy, and by taking part in group activities I enjoy, I will meet people who are also interested and enjoy said activities.

My hope is, that in trying out new things, I'll meet new people and begin to make friends in this new city of mine. As we all know, friendship makes the world a brighter place, and friendship is one thing I am woefully lacking here in New York...so that being said, here's to new experiences and the forging of new friendships.

What have you been trying to find the time for, that you might try this month?