The purpose of my blog began as an outlet to share some of my journal thoughts while at the Center for Change (CFC). Writing has become such a passion of mine. It is a place where I can release all that cycles in my head. I love the way words can combine to express the feelings of the heart. Even though my writing is an outlet for me, I hope some things written here have touched your life as well.
Although I will continue to share some of my thoughts of recovery, life changes have brought a new purpose to this blog. As you all know, we have begun a new adventure far from home in Arizona. In an effort to keep you posted with our fun, growing adventures, we will share some highlights here with you.
What do we hope from you? We hope you will feel connected to us here as we will by sharing our journey. As often as we can, we will try to skype and call you, but we also hope you will call often as well. Please don't be afraid to call, post a comment or send an email. We would LOVE to hear from YOU! :D
This week our adventures have been to get settled by unpacking and beginning the job hunt. My sister, Melissa, and my mom were great helpers to unpack, organize, and decorate our apartment. They have brought a unique gift of making it feel like home here.
We loved spending time with them. Melissa was a great navigator with her phone GPS, and mom a great investigator of places to search for employment. Most of all they were a great comic relief with silly dances and chauffeur gimmicks - "You forgot your lunch - you're welcome!"
With the help of mom and Melissa, I have applied to many jobs here: 3 school districts, tutoring facilities, and administrative positions at local universities and libraries. Everything seems to be contingent on one magical card - my fingerprint card. We are watching the mail for it everyday!
I miss teaching and my students. Throughout the day, I think about my kids and what they are doing. The little things are what I miss the most: chaotic mornings with 15 kids telling me about silly adventures after school, quiet taps on my shoulder to get my attention, the lull of talking in the classroom, big eyes looking up at you (even though you are the short teacher), small hands staying in at recess to help, big smiles, and twinkles of laughter. Most of all I miss their hugs at any time of the day.
This year I had the opportunity to teach two boys with Muscular Dystrophy. Their spirits are purely innocent. My life was blessed by their spirits in the short time we were together. Through their example, I caught a glimpse of the short life we have here on earth. I loved watching their passion to live here and now, instead of focusing on the disabilities of the past and fears of the future. By so doing, life becomes fulfilling as meddlesome worries dissipate. There is magic in simply being yourself and living in the moment.
As Dr. Seuss describes, I feel I am in "the waiting place." We all spend precious time just waiting. We wait in traffic, grocery store lines, and carpool circles. We wait to grow up, for true love, and for our children to be born. We even wait to die. But amazing things can happen if we open our eyes in The Waiting Place and peer into its dusty corners. Sometimes relationships are built, faith is discovered, dreams are (slowly) realized, and our hearts are expanded.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do . . .
I know God is ever watchful of me as all His children. Although waiting is not the funnest thing to do, miracles and blessings come even in the waiting. Step-by-step the path of opportunities that is best for us is enlightened. There was and is purpose and power in waiting to find this opportunity in Arizona after many years of praying and searching. I know Heavenly Father will continue to bless and guide us to those things that our best for us.
Dr. Julie reminded me in my session this week that "change is beautiful." There are magnificent examples of change all around me: flowers blooming, leaves falling, trees budding, children growing. One in particular is the rising and setting of the sun. I have to say Arizona has some of the most splendid sunsets. This beautiful sight is created by change. The colors combine to create a bright glow of gratitude for the magic of the day and hope for the adventures of tomorrow.
Taking Dr. Seuss' advice again, I will continue to move forward one step at a time. . .
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Sending Pixie Dust,
Becky
Although I will continue to share some of my thoughts of recovery, life changes have brought a new purpose to this blog. As you all know, we have begun a new adventure far from home in Arizona. In an effort to keep you posted with our fun, growing adventures, we will share some highlights here with you.
What do we hope from you? We hope you will feel connected to us here as we will by sharing our journey. As often as we can, we will try to skype and call you, but we also hope you will call often as well. Please don't be afraid to call, post a comment or send an email. We would LOVE to hear from YOU! :D
This week our adventures have been to get settled by unpacking and beginning the job hunt. My sister, Melissa, and my mom were great helpers to unpack, organize, and decorate our apartment. They have brought a unique gift of making it feel like home here.
We loved spending time with them. Melissa was a great navigator with her phone GPS, and mom a great investigator of places to search for employment. Most of all they were a great comic relief with silly dances and chauffeur gimmicks - "You forgot your lunch - you're welcome!"
With the help of mom and Melissa, I have applied to many jobs here: 3 school districts, tutoring facilities, and administrative positions at local universities and libraries. Everything seems to be contingent on one magical card - my fingerprint card. We are watching the mail for it everyday!
I miss teaching and my students. Throughout the day, I think about my kids and what they are doing. The little things are what I miss the most: chaotic mornings with 15 kids telling me about silly adventures after school, quiet taps on my shoulder to get my attention, the lull of talking in the classroom, big eyes looking up at you (even though you are the short teacher), small hands staying in at recess to help, big smiles, and twinkles of laughter. Most of all I miss their hugs at any time of the day.
This year I had the opportunity to teach two boys with Muscular Dystrophy. Their spirits are purely innocent. My life was blessed by their spirits in the short time we were together. Through their example, I caught a glimpse of the short life we have here on earth. I loved watching their passion to live here and now, instead of focusing on the disabilities of the past and fears of the future. By so doing, life becomes fulfilling as meddlesome worries dissipate. There is magic in simply being yourself and living in the moment.
As Dr. Seuss describes, I feel I am in "the waiting place." We all spend precious time just waiting. We wait in traffic, grocery store lines, and carpool circles. We wait to grow up, for true love, and for our children to be born. We even wait to die. But amazing things can happen if we open our eyes in The Waiting Place and peer into its dusty corners. Sometimes relationships are built, faith is discovered, dreams are (slowly) realized, and our hearts are expanded.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do . . .
I know God is ever watchful of me as all His children. Although waiting is not the funnest thing to do, miracles and blessings come even in the waiting. Step-by-step the path of opportunities that is best for us is enlightened. There was and is purpose and power in waiting to find this opportunity in Arizona after many years of praying and searching. I know Heavenly Father will continue to bless and guide us to those things that our best for us.
Dr. Julie reminded me in my session this week that "change is beautiful." There are magnificent examples of change all around me: flowers blooming, leaves falling, trees budding, children growing. One in particular is the rising and setting of the sun. I have to say Arizona has some of the most splendid sunsets. This beautiful sight is created by change. The colors combine to create a bright glow of gratitude for the magic of the day and hope for the adventures of tomorrow.
Taking Dr. Seuss' advice again, I will continue to move forward one step at a time. . .
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Sending Pixie Dust,
Becky
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