{Wash} Bon Iver

- We nearly forfeit. -

{Dots}

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

Steve Jobs

Thinking about this as I look forward to what happens after graduation (coming May 2014) and what it means. The words "don't settle" have stuck with me the past couple of days as I've been sitting on this quote, the idea. The world seems so big, and the possibilities literally endless. I feel just like a sailboat.

Yet another thought clashes with the idea of endless possibilities - and that the endless possibilities do not exist. Our strengths, our passions, our histories and everything else adds up to a line of work that we were built for - designed to do in and out every day. And not to say this means the same job day after day, but that we were built for a specific path, not to explore the endless possibilities. Instead, look to where your passions and talents line up, and go for it, that's all. Don't worry about not pursuing this or that if you're not truly made for it.

As I look forward, I try and connect the dots. Except, Jobs has another look at it:

"...you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."

Do I trust?

Inspired By:
Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech - June 12, 2005

{Telling}

So about this idea of story. It's an ongoing thing.

Don Miller writes about it, has even started a movement behind sharing. Seth Godin and other marketers argue that this is what sells. Open up the website of Brene Brown, researcher and storyteller and read the bold words: "Maybe stories are just data with a soul." Read any one of Shauna Niequist's books, the ones that seem to be stacked on the bedside tables of my floor mates, and it's one story after another sharing beautiful bits of life that crackle and pop.

The beautiful thing about story is, in my mind, is not only the intricacies in which we find ourselves able to relate with one another - but also the uniqueness - those parts we find ourselves shaking our heads to in wonder and awe. No two snowflakes, no two fingerprints, no two stories or souls are the same and within telling your story, within the vulnerability that requires, there is a resolve that speaks so incredibly clearly to the individual, yet corporate, human spirit.

How do we tell our story with this in mind? What even makes a good story? Many may answer, well, just forget about trying to live a good story or with sharing it...put down the journal, the recorder, the camera...instead focus on the living part. 

Except, at this point, I think I would reply that it takes discipline and intentionality to live a good story. And a good story doesn't depend on others' definition of "good". As far as sharing - what's the point if we cannot capture, reflect, learn and share our lives? What's the point of the pain and suffering, joy and good if we cannot pass the lessons forward to another?

I don't know. Just some thoughts.

{On the Edge}

There is this feeling of being on the edge of something great that keeps hovering around, yet can never be caught. Professors allude, TED ignites, friends talk, and my mind wanters to the potential we are all standing upon. 

The kicker? Everything I know of has been done before.

It's the unknown, the gift that our story brings to the table which holds the potential of greatness. And it takes a lot of guts to share that gift, because it is so unlike anyone else's. Craving familiarity and comfort and stability I cling to what has always been instead of reaching out to what could be.

In the thick of the pursuit, I am trying to pin down exactly what my story is and how it's going to play out. What is my gift going to be and how can I harness it for the greatest good?

Ultimately, will I be satisfied with the story my life has told?

The answer at this point is no. What needs to be for this answer to be yes each and every day? For me to wake up in the morning, and even before anything is checked off the checklist for me to say, yes - I am satisfied with the story with my life has told.

{To Be}

what are you to be today and how can you make it true

so the sun shines through your freckled face and

brings out all that good

how are you living in the world

making your place, finding your space

and what does it mean to you

look back look back and see

everything was and is and is to be

but what of this world will last past the setting sun

why does the time go as it does

marching on and on and on

yet never going quick enough until the day is done

anonymous

{Gratitude}

To Gratitude,

[gratitude]

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness

            I too often forget and too often take you for granted, gratitude. To you, the one who sustains through the struggles and successes. To one of many (but maybe most important?) feeling and expression that makes the good to the great and the little into the extraordinary and the plain into magnificent.

            Observe the beautiful world around. Look up, look out, look around to the sights, the sounds, the people. See the beauty in these delights. What did the sunset look like this morning, or the sunrise last night? To the bike ride, the good book, the hot tea or the crispy bacon. To the warm smile, that easy chair, or the drawing from a Kindergartner.

            But, remember also gratitude in the hard moments. The moments that just make you want to yell, to scream, to curl up in a ball and forget – those moments, which so starkly show the difference between the dark and the light, are good reminders that what we have should be cherished, loved. Shown gratitude. 

Inspired by:

Podcast, Good Life Project | Brene Brown: Vulnerable is Not Weak

Today’s Letters, Em Loerke 

{20 Miles}

To 20 Miles,

            Miles, can I just call you Miles? You kicked my butt yesterday morning but I kicked yours right back. Can we remember back to 6 when I had to make that pit stop? Then I got back to it, doubled back to do the same route, which only got me up to 11? Or lets think about 15, when I thought I had 17 done, at least. Nearly defeated. Or to 18 when I thought, yes. I have got this. Finally let’s think about 19.99 turning to 20.00. Pure bliss.

            Why run the 20 – better question – why in 3 weeks run the 26.2? A few reasons, a few people, and a few inspirations got me going. Ultimately, though, it came down to these words.

            It takes time and it takes discipline. Most importantly, it teaches respect and love for self. And that’s where I am at right now, learning to love the self and the soul that will get me through the last 6.2. It's going to be all soul.

Inspired by:

Chicago Marathon Training

{To Be Decided}

To Be Decided,

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

Action expresses priorities.

Let love guide your life.

Make careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others…each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. From the Message.

Daughter. Sister. Friend. Student. Runner. Explorer. Dreamer. Christian Believer. Traveler. Writer.

Inspired by the Gift.