I Press On

And so, yes, I’m starting a blog! Why? and Why today? I have thought about, talked about, been encouraged to and put off doing this for a LONG time, and………….. well, today is the first day of the 2nd half of this year! That seems like a day to start something significant!! I can’t deny I have recently felt a stirring deep inside, a nudging, perhaps a desire. I truly believe that when I draw near to God, He is There, so very present, and He does draw near to me. I have experienced this truth over and over. Sometimes that has been in a long season of seeking, searching and waiting. Other times, as in recently, I quickly hear His still, small voice and then there will be a string of “physical, tangible manifestations” of what I hear God to be saying, how He is leading me. For example, I hear a song, someone hands me a book they think I would enjoy, a dear friend visiting from out of town suggests “out of the blue” I start something new just for me, for my self-care, I hear a message or podcast that is ‘obviously’ given JUST FOR ME.

So, Welcome! I am not a “small talk” kind of person, so don’t come here if that’s what you want to hear. I’m also an introvert. So I think with those two things in mind, you can know that when I post, I feel fairly strongly that I have some thought worth sharing. My purpose for sharing? Even though I’m an introvert, I love being with people and especially sitting across a small table in a small coffee shop and talking deep with someone. One of my dreams, in fact, is to start/own just such a place. A combination bookstore, coffeeshop, connected to a therapeutic massage studio where my new BEST friend, and massage therapist has her practice. I have a little wooden sign in my closet that says, “You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do? Go do them!” This little wooden sign sits right beside a beautiful picture of my late husband/soulmate/best friend/lover, Doug.

This blog is “one of those things”. So I begin. While from your perspective, as the reader, this may seem like such a small step, those of you who know me well, know it is not. Many have asked me lately, “How are you?” It is nearly always hard for me to respond. I think, “Do you REALLY want me to answer that honestly?” Even when I answer briefly and honestly with “I’m OK” I receive a response that indicates I didn’t really answer like they expected. It catches people off guard if you don’t say, “I’m fine! Thank you! How are you?” Perhaps this ‘space’ will be a place where I can respond honestly and allow “the asker” the option of hearing my honest, not-so-brief answer. I also feel the recent season I have been in has filled me with deep insight and a “fresh” perspective on concepts like loneliness, connectedness, relationships, grief, spiritual growth, suffering, overcoming,…………………..and pressing on.

July 1st, the first day of the 2nd half of this year. If we were sitting in my coffeeshop across the table from each other, I would ask you, what does that mean for you in whatever season of your life journey you are in?