In Which I Ramble About Blah, Blah, Blogging, etc...

​It’s been a while, I know, since I’ve written a post. 

There are many reasons for this, chief among them being that my son had yet another surgery and the Christmas season is busy.

Another reason is that I still feel as though I am trying to really dig in and find my voice for this blog: Who am I, and what am I about? Who am I writing "stuff" for? 

And, what’s the point of writing on a blog in 2019 when most everyone feels far too busy to be reading articles? 

The voice-for-this-blog dilemma is a microcosm of my current life.

Who am I? What is my purpose in this world? Am I living my best life? 

These are questions I have been wrestling too, which have also stalled my writing.

I am one of those people who can envision myself in a variety of careers, wearing a variety of different hats. 

In other words, I have a great imagination.

When I was a child, I had endless ideas.

I remember exploring a new career each day (usually one employing creativity), imagining myself becoming “great” in that area. Then, I would either become bored or disillusioned with my lack of natural talent, and move on to exploring a new idea for future-me.

I always dreamed of being great and making an impression on this world. 

I also love children. 

I love being a mother. 

I have loved playing with my babies and watching them morph into tiny human beings. 

Lately I feel as though I am straddling an imaginary line between the small beautiful world of my own little family and the great big world of possibility.

Children do not choose to come into this world. They are much smaller than us and ridiculously powerless. They grow and change every single day.

I am not sorry I have focused on my children for these years of their young childhoods. I believe I will never regret this choice.

Now that the little ones are getting bigger and more independent, I have this burning desire to figure out what I want to do with myself, though.

I want to inspire my children by working hard at something. 

I want them to see that men and women can wear many different hats throughout their lifetimes. 

I want them to see that choosing themselves and choosing their children are not mutually exclusive: different phases of life might require more of a focus on one or the other, but everyone in a family (as in life) is equally valuable. 

I know I am rambling here…but can you empathize?

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree. Returning to the classroom as a teacher is not something I want to do, though I loved my years of teaching.

After exploring my options, I have tentatively landed on a master’s degree in applied anthropology.

I have always been fascinated by culture, and I also have a heart to help the immigrant and the marginalized, which applied anthropology would give me excellent tools for.

While I am literally clawing at the starting gate, other pressing matters have reared their heads: I don’t want a bunch of debt when I’m finished getting a degree, my family could currently use some extra income, and I have to take the GRE, which I won’t finish on time for next fall. 

Following that thread of reasoning has led me to the decision to build a business teaching online and writing curriculum for fellow homeschool parents. 

Sometimes I get excited about all of these "things" I want to do.

My husband, thankfully, believes in our equal partnership and will be there for our kids as I become busier.

Other times, doubt makes an appearance, warning and condemning me to failure. 

How will I find the time to do all this? 

What if I spend lots of precious time trying to build a biz, and then it all falls apart?

What if going to school “takes me away” from my ever-evolving children too much? 

What if our family can’t handle all the stress this will bring?

What if my son’s cancer returns or another one of us gets sick or something costly in our house falls apart?

But I know I have to proceed, one step at a time, making the most of every moment as I go along.

What is my point in writing this post? 

First, to say to other friends who are looking at big changes in their lives, "I'm right there with you".

But also just to process where I’m at and why, and to say I will absolutely keep blogging...it may be sporadic, but even if no one’s reading, at least I’m getting in some great writing practice. 

And eventually, I think I will begin to iron out what my voice in life and on this blog is, as well as my purpose.

To anyone out there reading these posts, thank you for hangin’ in there with me.

If you don’t mind adventure, incongruence and wild random thoughts on life that connect in strange or surprising ways, then definitely stick around, ha!

Finally, Merry Christmas to all.

If you are feeling more heartache than joy this week, I get it. Just know that you are not alone; reach out to others, let them carry hope's torch for now, know you are deeply deeply loved.







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