It seems every time I talk to her, she has a new goal, more ambition, a fresh perspective. She's constantly working on bettering herself. Exploring new and hard-to-get-to corners of the world. Expanding her creative empire. Making everyone jealous.
She visited a few weeks ago. I showed off my new home. We ate and drank and caught up. And I was jealous. She had all these dreams she was sharing with me. Vivid, idyllic, sprawling dreams. Only they weren't dreams - they were goals. Concrete plans. She was articulating them so clearly, that I could tell she wasn't just batting them around in her mind - she was running straight towards them. I believe she will make every single one of them happen. And I wanted some of my own.
So I took a mental health day. Opened all the windows in my duplex and let the rain spill in a bit. Drank a lot of tea. And thought good and long about what I want from my life. What I want to have. What I want to do. And who I want to be. Then I wrote it all down like I was already living it. It sounds very new age-y, but it was amazingly invigorating.
I don't have it all worked out. I hope I never will. But I can kind of see the woman I want to become. So I'm going to start running towards her with everything I've got right now. A passion for documenting my life as it unfolds. A knack for elevating the everyday with photography. A life-long love affair with words. And a fire under my ass.
Thanks, Kathleen.
It's funny, I just did the same. Sitting In My cube at a job I hate, I started envisioning what I'd like my life to be like. It really helps! You're lucky to have such a wonderful friend that inspires you. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, and motivating!
ReplyDeleteHi Liz. I feel like I already know. I've been a reader of Jeremy & Kathleen for a couple years now (man how times flies!) I just wanted to say thanks for this post. I've been thinking and dwelling on and obsessing over this for the past few weeks. I really just need to get it all down on paper. Maybe if I see it clearly in front of me on paper, I'll begin to see it clearly in front of me in my life's path as well. Looking forward to all your future blog posts...
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of running towards what you want. That's what we all NEED to do instead of hoping to do it in the future. Beautifully said. I need to take some action, myself. I just worry about where to start. Maybe that mental health day.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is mutual. Clearly.
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me.
ReplyDeleteI too want to run towards the woman I want to become.
I like your writing style.
Thank you for posting this.
Vivi
Thanks, ladies!
ReplyDeleteYeah - picturing it was really helpful (and really fun. No limits!). Then I just kinda started working backwards from there to make steps for myself. I'm a big list person - they break big things down into small things, and make anything seem possible.
Kathleen really is something very special. Her sister, too.
ReplyDeleteJennifer - I know, right?! I had the pleasure of working with both of them for 3-4 years, and loved every minute of it.
ReplyDeletebeautifully expressed. thoroughly motivating.
ReplyDeleteCompletely wonderful & inspiring words, Liz. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
ReplyDelete