The Journey Begins

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” ~unknown

I believe firmly in the power of perspective and, just as firmly, in our power to control it.  A few years ago while vacationing in Arizona, I went for a run along a beautiful route. All I could think was how lucky I was to be in that location on that run and I remember feeling sorry for my friends back home stuck in “normal”.

Perspective changes everything. Fast forward to today. This afternoon’s run wasn’t along a spectacular tourist route. There weren’t palm trees or beaches. No, today’s route was something much more than all of that. Today’s route was full of normal. The same houses I see daily. The same neighbors working in their yards. The same dogs that bark and chase me. The only things new today were the chickens…the chickens that stopped me in my tracks and made me giggle. They crossed the road in front of me when I was just over a mile from the end of my run. I snapped a quick picture of them and then went on my way, but they lingered on my mind.

The chickens made me think back to that day in Arizona. At that time, I was trying to escape normal. I was fighting to get to that elusive greener grass on the other side. Oh, how the years clear our perspective and “green-up” our own grass. Today, a pair of chickens were a reminder of how lucky I am just where I am. My life is nothing fancy. We’re a middle-class family working to make our way in this world. We’ve earned the  things we have and we’re lucky enough to live in an outstanding community. It’s small and not perfect, but it’s ideal for us.

So what has changed from Arizona to now? Only my perspective. My life has always been more than I deserve: great family members, loyal friends, a roof over my head, and food on the table. I have a strong support system which many would love to call their own. At the age of 42, I finally see all of that clearly. And, among the normal, somedays I meet chickens: moments of humor and reminders of how blessed I am.

I speak only the truth when I say that this blog is a selfish project. I love to write. I find it to be a healthy process for me in the present and even more eye-opening in retrospect. I would be thrilled and honored if others enjoyed it, as well.  I promise to always write my truth here on these pages. Nothing more, nothing less.

Kiki