* The journey is challenging and really pushing me to stretch knowledge and skills while working on my Master's. I will be taking a brief break after this class is done and starting classes up again in mid July.
* I recently received an unexpected promotion at work! I feel very honored the leaders in my department have confidence in me to take on a new challenging direction in my career I never imagined myself exploring. My course work is very relevant to this new position. My HP working in mysterious ways! **wink**
* I miss my gardening terribly. However, I understand my time and commitment is focused on my school right now. I will get my hands dirty again in the future!
* Overall life has been very tame and with little chaos in the face of alcoholism. Although the disease continues to fester and bubble in my home, peace and serenity is slowly weaving its self through the disease in my home. It is a true blessing.
* I am looking forward to the Area Al-Anon convention coming up in May! The committee I am chairing is coming right along with our tasks. I also volunteered to do a workshop at the convention. I have been praying on how all the pieces of that workshop are going to come together. Although I have several ideas of how I plan to run the workshop, I don't have all of my details finalized. Despite that I feel at peace it will all fall into place. That's a sigh of my recovery right there!
* I am also looking forward to the International Al-Anon convention in Vancouver! Although, I still have a few butterflies in my stomach as I am not sure how I will be getting there or where I am going to be staying yet. More will be revealed!
* Spring has arrived! After the horrible freezes we had this winter, many of our plants at home are bouncing back with the beautiful warmer weather. There are also an abundance of flowers blooming at work!
* I have been working to manage my stress level; however, that has proven to be difficult with my new position and school. However, when I catch myself all wound up and not breathing! I have to stop, take a deep breath and re-evaluate, what do I have control of at this moment. Generally, I was freaking out about something that I didn't have any control over. On the flip side, I could calm down, breath, and then start working on one task at a time. Such as finish reading the lecture notes for this week. (Which is what I really should be doing right now!). Or what works for me when I'm feeling overwhelmed with so much on my plate, is to make a list of items I need to accomplish. Then I prioritize each item depending on when that item needs to be completed. That helps me get that panic out of my head and allows me to step back and focus on one item at a time.
* I found out some difficult news yesterday about a friend. He had a serious stroke a few days ago and is in ICU. It isn't looking good. This individual is a ray of sunshine and has touched so many lives. It brings tears to my eyes right now that this has happened to him. His wife is also someone that I hold dear to my heart. Both are amazing, strong, and inspirational people to so many. They have been in my prayers continuously. I believe that their Higher Power will take care of each of them. He would not put either through this difficult time if they were not ready. It is a sad time and my heart just breaks, but I can't focus on that, I focus on the wonderful things about him that make me smile. Please keep my friends in your prayers. * I have found the last few days really reaching into my gratitude basket being thankful for what I have. When I take the gratitude inventory, I feel beyond blessed!
* I follow several "inspirational sites" and this one popped up and was VERY relevant to my days lately. I shared with my team today and we all have this posted next to our computers to help keep each task, each moment, and each day in perspective! That perspective is dependent upon my attitude. My attitude is something I have control over.
I miss you all! I hope you are doing well and hope you are finding and enjoying serenity in your beautiful day!
