So long, February

You know, if I wake up early enough, I have easily enough time to write before heading to work. I don't know if I can manage this everyday, but it is nice every once in a while.

Time not only flies when you're having fun, it flies when you're super busy at work. For the life of me I cannot figure out where February has gone. Granted, I did have a couple of short trips this month: one for work and one for play. But it really doesn't seem that long ago since Katie was here visiting Elgin and Chicago before going back to Brazil to finish her volunteer work in Campo Limpo, Sao Paulo.

Two weeks ago I went out to the Pacific Northwest for a Men's Retreat at Camp Myrtlewood. Even that doesn't seem like it happened two weeks ago. Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience. I met people from so many walks of life and allowed the retreat to serve its purpose: relax and renew me. Camp director, John Jones, told me that the only thing we all have is time. He added that the most important thing concerning time is how we spend it. Throughout the weekend I spoke with lots of people on a variety of topics--each assisting me with discerning my vocation. I still have a long way to go, but I'm beginning to feel myself being drawn toward certain life choices and career paths.

As you saw in my last post, I've just reached the halfway point in my year of service. I've got just under six months until I move out of this house in Elgin and embark on another transition. Roughly half of a year left in Illinois, and the biggest thing about which I will be thinking is how I'm spending this time. I am very fortunate to work with and live with people who foster quality time alone and in community.

Just because it is almost March, it doesn't mean that Spring will be arriving anytime soon... at least not here in Chicagoland.

Morning Edition

I'm trying something new. I'm trying to squeeze in a post before leaving for work. I've never done this before, mainly because I rarely have the time to sit down and write on my computer in the morning. But today I had plenty of time. After I got dressed, I had so much time that I was able to watch the second half of an episode of The West Wing to which I fell asleep last night. I've suddenly begun weaning myself from that show--well not entirely. But yesterday was the first day in a while that I went without watching any entire episodes. I had every intention on watching that episode last night and then going to bed, but I was just too tired.

The big thing on my mind lately is this notion of following one's heart. I think I will be thinking about this for quite some time. I have been in Elgin exactly six months to the day. I got here August 27, just before my birthday. I have roughly six months left, with lots more to do before I move out of this house and transition to where my heart is leading me. I've gotten a whole lot better at enjoying the moment and not worrying too much about the future but that doesn't preclude thinking about the future and dreaming a little. I can think about what I'd like to do after my year of service ends, but I won't decide until that time comes. 'Cause if there is one hard lesson that I've learned about plans (which is probably also a fact of life), it's that they change. What I'm thinking and dreaming and aspiring to be today may be completely different a few weeks or months from now--perhaps even a few days from now. I guess this is the time when I really need to dig deep. I need to look beneath the surface and get down to the root of myself. I need to concentrate on those things that have been with me for a long time, through thick and thin. I know they are there, somewhere in my heart. Now, I just need to be patient, listen, and learn to follow my heart.

Down to one post a month, I guess

It's been quite some time since the last time I blogged. I vowed I would not let this happen, but I guess I underestimated the power of Aaron Sorkin's television prowess. Shortly after seeing Charlie Wilson's War, a new movie for which Sorkin did the screenplay, I had to continue to satisfy my need to see more of his works. The West Wing, of course, is the reason why I have been distracted from my blog.

So besides the Bartlet Administration, lots of other things have been on my mind. I plan on dedicating the next several posts to discuss some of these hot topics.