At the beginning of my travel nurse journey, I made a conscious decision to donate 90% of my life to charity. I am talking everything: my couch, my bed, my dishes, by table, my chairs, my towels, my silverware...all those things we all need to "live" and function in a home. Those items which we spend so much time and energy purchasing, when really there is nothing personal about them. Just "stuff" to make life easier. A lesson that I think many could learn from as I find it to be rather liberating to be "freed" from these. Grant it, I understand that most people need the basics to function, but think of all the excess we live in? That, in itself, is an entirely different entry. Stay tuned.
Back to donating...I chose to keep only those items which were personal to me: my wall hangings, my photo albums, my "souvenirs" from travels, my cards and letters from my family and friends, my passport, my candles, my car, and my clothes. That's it. That's all I claim to be mine.
However...there's so much more I take membership in: the people, the memories, the connections, the food, the wine, the music, the weather, the colors, the experience, the time...
All of these make it very difficult for me to say: "Adios.(Spanish) Au Revior .(French) Ha Det. (Norwegian) Aloha. (Hawaian) Good-bye." For those that know me best, I never say "Good-bye" It's too terminal. Too cold. To Kaput. I much prefer a "See you later." As I simply believe there is no end to this life we lead. Ever.
Even though I have spent the last 5 weeks in a hotel, it's funny I managed to make it "My Own" It's amazing how a few candles, some 4x6 picture frames, an ipod dock and some clothes can personalize a space. Simple, yet so personal. As I have found, since I have packed up these items, how cold and uninviting this room has become.
Since I became a transplant in Burnsville, I have: made friends with co-workers and other travelers, enjoyed the lakes, the changing of the leaves, conversation, books, live music, belly dancing, comedy clubs, started a blog, rekindled my relationship with power tools, relaxed in a sauna, learned how to play cribbage and BOUGHT that camera I talked about in my first post. All part of the journey. The self discovery. The Serendipit-Me of who I am and who I am about to become.
For those of you who don't know, my next chapter is taking me to Hilo, Hawaii. Something I have been dreaming about for that past year, seemed unattainable, yet now here I sit, weeks away from my dream. Interesting how I am plagued with emotion: happy, sad, excited, scared, empowered...
I will sign off on this note: Funny how in life, we all meet hundreds, maybe thousands of people. Yet there are a select few that "stand out", make us evaluate life. Some that challenge us to be the people we always wanted to be. Some that push our boundaries. Our buttons. Our spirits. Motivate us. Inspire us. Are role models to us. Lucky me, I found one here.
Tonight: Ponder what it is you would keep if you only had 1 car load to fill. (and no, you can't suddenly upgrade to a mini van or spacious Lincoln town car. If you drive a jetta, you can only pack your jetta :)
Tomorrow: Be that person to someone who: motivates, inspires, pushes the envelope. Changes a life.
And finally: never say "Good-bye". Regret the past. Or dwell on the rear-view mirror...as they are all simply road blocks to your future.
