Do What You Love!

Eternity
by William Blake

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise




I've not posted in over a month. Lost the nerve, lost the time. Who knows. But here I am, again! 

I'm in the midst of a "do what you love" kick. Last week I injured my back. I spent most of Sunday lying on a heating pad on the floor. Then, on Monday, I walked around all day hunched over like an old crone. How classic, how typical that it took being hurt to remind me that I need to take care of myself, both body and mind. Maybe, finally, the years I've spent surrounding myself with people who do just that is starting to wear onto me.

Yesterday I interviewed for a Fulbright Teaching Exchange. The process obviously didn't just begin. The application was due in October. What I applied for is a semester exchange at another high school in either India or the UK. I couldn't convince Doug to quit his job so we could go for a whole year, but I think a semester would be great. I'm ready to make a move as far as my career is concerned. This could be a chance to leave my job without really leaving. If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll just apply for Julie's position after all!

I've been quiet about the whole thing because I'm nervous and may be embarassed if I'm not selected. I think the interview went okay. As long as the committee felt I would be an excellent candidate, the decision now rests in the Fulbright folks' hands. We'll know later this winter. Any positive thoughts you could send would be appreciated. 

I took that leap and today I leapt back into the author's chair. I'm going to put up a couple of pieces I did work on last month but didn't post. I thought they weren't finished or some such b.s. When thinking about writing this morning I realized there are a lot of people who put themselves out here all the time. If they do it, why not me?

The same could be said for applying for the Fulbright. Why not me? And I realized the same while I was working out this morning. Who cares if I'm officially middle aged and I have a toddler and a husband and house and job and dust bunnies under the beds...Why not me?

This is what makes me feel good: Putting my feet on the yoga mat.  Putting words on the page. Celebrating how doing those two things makes the rest of my life even better.

What about you?