Seeing Life From The Air

Hi Friends! I've missed you. It's been a tumultuous, mega-adventurous few weeks. I've logged miles in a few different states by air and ground. I've met  at least a couple hundred new people, tried all sorts of new foods, and am getting used to working in an office full-time again. It's been a humbling and exciting time for sure. It's been a good reminder to keep your eye on the big picture and not get too mired down in the daily grind.

So my theme for this year was Shine, as you may remember. I've been carrying that with me through all my new adventures and travels. I have been bolder about talking to and getting to know strangers. I'm inherently shy but when I put on my "Journalist/MarComm" hat I am much braver about speaking to strangers. It's been a great experience to have conversations with all sorts of seatmates on planes and I've learned a lot and made some good networking connections.

Living Shine has been a challenge when I feel like I am drinking from a fire hose still after several weeks. It's so easy to get down on oneself when after a couple of weeks you don't have volumes of new knowledge all settled in your mind. I really have to remind myself and thankfully others around me are reminding me too that it takes time and I'm not expected to know everything after two pay periods. I have to remind myself that I can still shine without being perfect or putting pressure on myself to be super human when only regular human is required.

I've been learning to be thankful for wonderful little life moments and every moment I have with loved ones. I've been appreciating sunsets and beautiful clouds more. I'm feeling really grateful for safety and life after a few too many close calls in the past month. Nothing like almost being run off the road by a semi to get you a little gun shy about driving....and big rigs.

I've learned a lot about letting go of things and opening oneself up to new things -- and even making peace with new things you really don't like (such as allergies!) while trying to stay focused on the things you do like about your new situation.

One of the best shine lessons I've had this year is the power of greeting everyone who comes my way with a smile. People are always happy to see you when they see you smiling every morning. I think it catches grumpy people off guard when you refuse to be grumpy too and greet them with a smile.

I have lots of photos and new things to share with you. I just have very limited internet access, which is why I haven't been online much or updated this happy blog. But hopefully things are settling down so that I can be here more often now. Things are going in good directions and I have a lot to be happy and excited about. No my life is not problem-free by any means, but we are making our own joy.

I'm going to start sharing more on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook too, so I'd love to meet up with you there. Sending you my very best wishes. Looking forward to hanging out with you again. You've been missed.