Look Out, Here I Come!

I suppose there is balance in the universe, even when we don't feel it. Is it possible when something starts to feel good for one person, there's someone else suffering in some way? That is a pretty stupid question, as there are always people celebrating and others who are suffering. But I wonder if there is one to one correspondence. Maybe, maybe not. All I know is I was prepared to write about how upbeat I was feeling about some things in my life that I'm starting to see more clearly, steps down a path I wasn't so sure which way to go. Then I found out a dear friend is struggling with some major upheaval in her life. Is it random, or is that the way the universe works? I will keep my friend in my thoughts and prayers while I try to work out my own place in the universe.

I have been on a confusing journey since I finished my doctorate degree. Throughout my studies and my dissertation I felt such a strong sense of what was important to me and what I wanted to do. I felt like I was taking steps to get there, carefully placed footing up the side of a mountain. Then something happened, it was as though my foot slipped and I lost my way. I was hanging by a couple of cables and a carabiner, feet dangling, looking to the top and down below for answers. It took awhile, but I think I've regained my footing and I'm climbing back up.

I've dug deep. I've done a lot of reading and a lot of thinking. Through teaching, I am learning. I'm reaffirming my sense of place and I'm starting to see what my next move is. I'm no longer blaming circumstances, and I've decided what to do next. I've got a plan for a study, and I'm working on my literature review. I will not let my dissertation be the only time I'm published. I'm ready to jump back in and become a part of the research community. I'm ready to be back where I belong.