If I could do anything

Every so often I like to dream about what I would do, if I could do anything.

I don't mean "anything" like when you're a kid and you wish you had super powers and could fly or shot laser beams from your eyes. (Although I would be one of the first to sign up for super powers, if I could.) I mean "anything" in a more realistic sense, as in any job or career.

There are a lot of things I'm interested in, and would love to try my hand at. Some are just whims, that I'd want to try for a year. For example, I think it would be fun to be an interior decorator. I'd love the chance to put together fabulous rooms, using paint colors, furniture and decor. Or be a florist and work with an array of flowers to make beautiful arrangements. I also would like to go to cosmetology school so I could learn cutting techniques and how to mix and apply perfect hair color.

Others are more serious, things I think I would like to do long-term. One of them is being an editor at one of my favorite magazines, and do things like brain storming ideas, interviewing and writing full-time. The other is being a travel journalist, so I could visit all the little corners of the world and write about them, but get paid to do so.

If you could just jump into a job, anything you were interested in doing--even for a short amount of time--what would you do?

Grabbing the bull by the horns

I'm usually a fairly easy-going, peaceful person. But if you push me into a corner, I'm not going down without a fight. I'm going to come out swinging. 

Over the past month and a half, I've felt gradually pushed into a corner. It made me anxious and agitated. The frustrations consumed me and I found myself complaining constantly.

But about noon today I had had enough. Enough of being anxious and enough of my own complaining. So I faced the person I was afraid of, the person who was making me so anxious.

My heart was practically beating through my chest, but I did it. My reasons were twofold: 1. I wanted to show this person I can be assertive and to not overlook me and 2. I needed to fight for my own well being and confidence. I let this person chip away at my self-worth, and that is a dangerous thing. 

Today I grabbed the bull by the horns, and I feel stronger and better for it. 

When Life Turns Upside-Down

Romans 8:38-39 TNIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Beauty and Ugliness of Politics

The dynamics of this year's presidential election is exciting to me. It is certainly on its way to being the most interesting political race I've experienced in my lifetime.

I love that we have the freedom to vote. I'm glad I live in a democratic country where we have the opportunity to choose our governmental leaders. I see it as both an honor and a responsibility for American citizens.

But I also hate politics.

I hate the mud-slinging, and nasty accusations. I hate the heated arguments that are caused by them. I hate how different political views can create rifts between family members, friends and colleagues.

The freedom to choose - to vote - is a beautiful thing. But sometimes it makes us say or do ugly things. I pray that this election season you have wisdom to discern the candidate you believe will be the best to lead our country and the grace to accept those who believe differently.

Hair & Self-Expression

My friends might think I have great hair now, but that wasn't always the case. I know enough now to get trendy cuts that flatter my facial structure and hair type, and invest in products that will help maintain the look. But I had traditional long, straight hair and bangs until partway through high school. It was the ‘90s and nearly every girl had long hair. Certainly all the popular girls did, but somehow it didn’t look as good on me as it did on them.

Every time I visited my trendy hairdresser – my mom’s best friend – she suggested I go for a shoulder-length ‘do instead of my usual inch off the end and bang trim. And one day my sophomore year I said “okay.” It caught us both a little off guard, and she stopped and looked me directly in the eye to see if I was serious. But once the word was out of my mouth, I decided to stick with it. And she didn’t pause to let me reconsider. I walked in with shoulder-blade length hair and walked out with layers that ended just above my shoulders.

I’m not sure what convinced me to take the plunge and trade in my traditional look for a bolder one. It might have been how fabulous her hair always looked. Or that I was ready to be adventurous, to declare myself an individual. Whatever the reason, my hairdresser was right - the shorter, trendy ‘do looked great on me. And it made me feel better about myself.

A new haircut or fresh hair color still makes me feel better about myself. It’s an instant boost in my self confidence. It makes me feel beautiful. It makes me feel bold and alive. Hair probably shouldn’t have such a strong correlation with one’s self worth, but it does for me.

It’s also a chance to be creative, to recreate myself and express who I am in a new way. When a stylist asks me what I’d like done, I always go for something different from the last time, because I'm a different person than I was 6 or 8 weeks before. It’s been immensely satisfying to experiment with new looks. And I can honestly say with all the different cuts and colors I’ve had, there hasn’t been one I didn’t like.

I’ve had really short hair, and shoulder-length hair. I’ve been a redhead, a blonde and a brunette, and a lot of colors in between the three. I’ve had funky, chunky highlights and more subtle, professional highlights. I’ve flipped my hair up and curled it under. I know what “stacked” and “blending” mean, to ask for a blend of "RO" and "YO" colors and that level 6 is probably about as dark as I want to go. At least for now.

I think life is about constantly discovering more about yourself, others, and the world. And if I’m changing as a person, why shouldn’t my hair change too?

Upcoming Event

I've been one of the main coordinators for a groundbreaking event coming up on Tuesday. It's been a fun and stressful project to work on; with more stress now that we're to the final stages of planning and prep work with set-up and the event itself. I'd appreciate your prayers that all will go smoothly.

The Wall

Sometimes the words, phrases and paragraphs come together naturally. An idea transitions easily from my head to the computer screen. And my editor and friend gives me positive feedback on what I've written.

But then I usually hit a wall. And the words and phrases won't come together, no matter how many times I write and rewrite. The computer screen mocks me, reflecting back an idea that remains as clear as mud.

For the past couple days, I've continued to hit the wall with my latest writing assignment. And it's making me mad. I would so like to find a way to climb over or dig under or run around this darn wall.