Glorify

I had a great conversation yesterday with a friend that I hadn't seen in so long. It was one of those conversations that I recognized as special at the time but the more I've replayed it in my head the better and better it has gotten. A GIFT of a conversation it was.

We were catching up and I updated him on my life and he updated me on his and in the process brought up his sister-in-law who has experienced health challenges also and has been an absolute inspiration by choosing the word GLORIFY as a motto at this point in her life.

Woah. How unexpected, right? Glorify. At a time when you could feel a little entitled to... I don't know, a more introverted approach at least, she chooses a proactive positive. Not just to take things in and process them positively, but Go. Out. and Glorify.

I love that.

What I really like about it is that it is unexpected. And the guts of it actually. I like that for life all over. I like it for my mash-up family.

When you enter into a mash-up, it really feels like there is an expectation of how you are supposed to be (well, I have felt that anyway, maybe not everyone does). How everyone is supposed to feel, the sorts of challenges you should experience, the emotions, the opportunities, the limitations. There are established expectations. Status quos. Paradigms that you walk into. And this is true for all sorts of stuff that we encounter on our life journey, we all have this stuff. Adding an illness and job loss layers on additional expectations from, I don't know...the air?

So my friend and I went there and encouraged each other to not have to BE there, in the air, with those expectations. We can choose an unexpected path. It won't of course eliminate emotions and challenges, but I think it takes some of the (maybe) oppression away - of thinking we should feel a certain way and do certain things - and puts the power in us. Who doesn't like power? (Not It!)

Everyone has their stuff, right? Take a look at the stuff and have conversations (!) about them. It's a work in progress for everyone, but one thing by one thing, I think we can release ourselves from a lot of the more-toxic expectations and be more joyful people. Let's dooooo it.

News Updates:


12/7/14

• Brian continues really good job search networking. That guy kills it with dedication. Looking at some good opportunities next week! And selfishly it's really great to have him home, I'm not sure how we will return to dual full-time work!! But OMG, I understand it must be such a struggle to get up in the a.m. and stay motivated - especially with as many gray days as we've had lately. I would be...not. that. good. #bedsores. Absolute appreciation to his work ethic.
• Jacque completed Day 9 of radiation. 6 days to go! Not a walk in the park, but really not that bad. Have a bit of respiratory virus which kicked my arse until cough syrup with codeine came to the rescue. Tis the season for simple gifts and I currently am counting codeine as such a gift #probablynotright.
• Kids are great. Christmas cards being addressed this weekend!