Bulletproof

It seems I've shot consistency in the ass. Ouch.

Let's see, we wrapped up our foster care training this weekend. It was LONG, but well worth it. We should have our home assessment in the next couple of weeks, and other than a few minor pieces of paperwork, I think we're ready to go! I'm excited to see what God has planned for us.

On the career front, I took one of those free Myers-Briggs tests online for funsies. I can't believe I just used that word. I cringe. Anywho, the results of the test were spot on. My top two test results were social work and education. The million dollar question is how to turn that into meaningful work that pays without having to acquire another degree. Suggestions are appreciated.

Why Not Now

In my last post, I referred to the Wait No More event I attended regarding foster care and adoption. You see, I've been involved on a volunteer basis with foster care since 2009.

It all started with Foster Care awareness month. The founders of Anna's House, Greg & Beth Harkins, gave a presentation on foster care and their foundation. What I learned that night changed my heart. I had no idea the staggering number of children in foster care, just in our state(10,000+). And I had no idea how many times these children and newborn babies were shuffled from shelter to foster home to foster home to shelter. If my memory serves me right, it was upwards of 9 times in a single year. How is that possible? How scary must that be for a small child who has been taken away from their parents and possibly separated from their siblings? It's heartbreaking. My husband and I talked about fostering, but the timing wasn't right; so I spent the next few years volunteering.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I'm apart of our foster care team at church, and we're growing our ministry. Last night, we had a meeting for those that want to get more involved, in whatever capacity, and for those who have a heart to foster or adopt. At the end of the meeting, the program director for Anna's House, Angela Parsons, mentioned she had a new class getting ready to start. I felt that internal nudge telling me, it's time. So, I asked when the class was starting, to which she replied Friday. I thought of 100 reasons why that was too soon and then I thought of 10,000 more why the timing was perfect. Tomorrow night, our foster care adventure begins. I'm excited and scared and hopeful.

I'd like to use this blog to document our journey. Hopefully, I'll inspire one of you to join me too.

Do Your Part

By nature, I am a very passionate person. I am passionate about many things, but there are two that receive most of my attention. The first being education. I've written on that before; and the second being foster care.

For those of you who weren't aware, yesterday was Orphan Sunday.

Did you know, there are half a million children in the foster care system in the United States. Here in Oklahoma, there are over 10,100 children in foster care. And of those 10,100, there are 350 whose parents' rights have been terminated. Yes, these kids need to be adopted. They need forever homes. This breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that for whatever reason there are parents who can't, or won't, do what they need to reunite with their kids. Even more, it breaks my heart that there aren't more people willing to take a stand and give these kids a safe, healthy place to call home. Every year, 25,000 kids age out of the foster care system. What do you think becomes of these fatherless children? The statistics aren't good; and often times they continue the cycle by having children of their own who become a statistic of foster care, as well.

Now, you can look at this from a religious perspective, God calls us to set the lonely and to defend the orphans and widows. But religion aside, as human beings, we should feel compassion and love towards these children, who need someone to step up and say, "You belong with me. I'll keep you safe. You're a part of this family." Don't get me wrong, not everyone is called to adopt or foster; however, everyone can play a supporting role. For every foster family, it takes 3-4 other families to fully support them. This could mean cooking dinner for the family once a week, offering to clean their home, watching the kids for a few hours, so the parents can have a date night. It could be as simple, and powerful, as prayer. The point is no matter how small, you can make a difference.

I encourage you to visit the Heart Gallery of America. You can meet children who are waiting adoption in your state. If you are able to attend a Heart Gallery, or Wait No More event in your area, please go. It will change your heart forever.

Corporate Schmorporate

“By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.” -Robert Frost

Caveat!

Do you ever find yourself completely revolutionized by something that is so obvious or common sense? Your ah-ha moment, as Oprah coined the phrase.

I was listening to the Fizzle Show podcast by Corbett Barr, Chase Reeves, and Caleb Wojcik this morning. The topic of today's cast was is it too late? The one thing that really resonated with me was, and I quote, "It's never too late to care about something and put in the work to help other people. It's never too late to show the world you care about that thing."

I've always believed if you do work you love, everything else will fall into place. The giant BUT here, however, is just because you do work you love, doesn't mean success will happen overnight. You must realize there are no shortcuts. Those overnight successes you've heard about, they spent 4-5+ years doing what they love before they made it big, you just didn't know about it. Be present and do the work.

Next, you should define what success means to you? I'd like to think it's much deeper than make millions of dollars. If you're truly doing what you care about, your success will be defined by the impact you make. Change starts with one person connecting to another person of similar values; who then seek out other like minded people, who then join forces to spread their message and ultimately change the world. Care about it and start small.

We must stop looking at life as a destination and start looking at is as a journey. It's meant to be explored and enjoyed! Life should be fun! I'm not saying we'll never face obstacles or difficulties, but through obstacles and difficulties comes growth and learning. Education is a life long process. We will never know it all. Find those things that scare and excite you, then go out and conquer them one at a time. Become the expert and share the knowledge.

Above all else, be authentic to yourself and others. The world could use a whole lot more authentic up in here! We have enough want-to-be's with reality shows only in it for themselves out there. Grab your trenchcoat and let's go expose ourselves!

"When you say “It’s hard”, it actually means “I’m not strong enough to fight for it”. Stop saying its hard. Think positive!” - Unknown"

Embrace your Inner Wayne

I think we can all agree John Wayne is a legend; and although fictional, Bruce Wayne is a legend too.

Both stood for what is good and right in the world. True American heros.

Today, let's embrace our inner Waynes, whether it's donning a ten gallon hat, or slipping into thick, black tights and a cape(whatever trips your trigger and gets you in the spirit). Next ask yourself, "If I was Batman, how would I change the world today? What can I accomplish?"

For me, I recently enrolled in Scott Dinsmore's Live Off Your Passion course. If you haven't seen Scott's TedX talk or his interview with Jonathan Fields, I highly recommend you watch one or both.

Scott's passion and enthusiasm are obvious in everything he does. His mission is to help others identify their passion(s), make a living from it, and change the world in the process. How cool is that?! He also has an uber contagious smile. But then again, how can you help but smile when you are doing work you love, right?

Whether you enroll in Scott's class yourself, or just take some time to reflect, I encourage you to ask yourself, "Am I doing work I love? Am I making a difference?" Be honest.
If the answer is no, the next question should be, "Why not?"

Today's quote is from another legendary Wayne, The Great One:

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. –Wayne Gretzky

What shot are you taking today?

Mark Twain

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

With Abandon

This screen is white,
the sky is grey.
Melancholy or joy to start my day.

I choose joy, namaste.

I had a few observations over the weekend.  The first being how freely children love. 

I know this probably seems obvious, but I"m referring to more than your own children or nieces and nephews.  I assist in my sons' class at church.  We have a group of kids that walk over from the apartments across the street.  The age group we're dealing with is 1st-5th grade.  Some of these kids are a little rambunctious, maybe even a little rough around the edges.  That being said, once they realize you're there to teach and encourage them, they work hard to keep your approval and the praise coming.  They draw pictures for you.  They want your feedback on what they're doing.  They look forward to seeing you the next week.  They run up and hug you.  The great big bear kind.  One of the boys said to my son, "That is so cool your mom works in your class".  It made me feel good, but more importantly it made me think.  Children love us so easily and freely.  With abandon.  How is it we lose this as adults?  I wish unconditional love for everyone I come in contact with today.  Love begets more love.

My second observation was at the park yesterday.  I was swinging.  I love to swing.  I should do it more often.  As I was swinging, I couldn't help but smile.  I could see all the kids running around, sliding, laughing, chasing, swinging.  With abandon.  No worries, no cares.  I thought everyday should feel this way.  In that moment, I was connected with every child on the playground.  And in that connection, I was free.  Free to be me. 

Today let's...

Stay in the moment.  "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34. 

Love each other and love what we do.

Be joyful.

Be authentic.

Be grateful.

When the Levee Breaks

The universe if a funny beast.

I'll skip all the boring details and get to the point.  The last 6 months for me have been introspective.  I've been praying a lot and asking God, "Where are you directing me?"  You know, it's hard to discern His voice from all the others chattering in my head. 

Well, this wasn't a lightning strike; and the ah-ha was more gradual, like water slowly seeping into a sponge.  You see, over the years, I've often thought to myself, "I wish someone had told me I could do or be anything when I was younger; or let me know I could take the road less traveled".  Then maybe I wouldn't be working in Corporate America feeling like everyday was Ground Hog's Day.  And that's when it hit me, or more accurately, crept up on me.  I can be that person.  I can tell kids, "You should be an artist or a lion tamer or an astronaut!" 

Then this morning while getting coffee, a friend at work tells me her younger brother is taking a break from college.  He's going to spend the next 6 months with their family in Venezuela.  In school, he was studying engineering, but she believes his heart is in dance.  He is just afraid of disappointing his parents.  This was affirmation. 

Today, there is a deparate need to break the cycle of go to college to get a job that pays lots of money but side note you'll hate it because that's just what you're supposed to do.  And guess what, that college degree you worked so hard for, ya everyone has one, so now you need your Masters, maybe even a PhD.  All that to work for a corporation that provides on the job training that anyone with a little common sense could do.  By the way, you took out student loans for all this right?

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not against higher education.  What I am against is our industrialized, institutional way of teaching, our mass production of thought, and the complete disregard of the individual and their unique abilities. 

To paraphrase Sir Ken Robinson, "our educational system needs a revolution not a reform".  Education should be personal, exciting, and fun no matter what stage of life you're in.  We as parents should encourage our child's interests.  If you do what you love, everything else will fall into place.  Success, money, quality of life.

Please let's not put another bandaid on the leak in the damn.  Eventually, it will break. 

Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart.

– Ancient Indian Proverb

Oklahoma Autumn

Leaves dance crisply down the street;
Oklahoma Autumn at my feet.

In the trees and on the ground,
orange, yellow, red are found.

Birds are singing time to go,
Before the cool turns into snow.

Skies shine blue with sunshine bows.
Clouds like smoke signals take a stroll.

Children's cheeks are pink from play.
Oklahoma Autumn, my kind of day.

-Angela Tarrant

A Tale of Two Gritties

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Grit defined means firmness of character; indominitable spirit.  My darling husband and I are blessed with grit.  This can be good or bad, as you have two forces either working together or opposing one another.  Either way dynamite is how I would describe it.  Or as Jimmie Walker would say, "Dyno-mite!"

Well, I'm pretty confident my husband thinks I'm losing my mind.  We have friends who may be stationed overseas next year.  I think we should do some research, and if feasible, join them.  It's only for a few years and it would give our children an international experience.  How amazing would that be?!!?! 

Anyway, I've been talking a lot about living a nonconventional life, finding what really gets us excited, and at the same time helping others.  The career path I chose was by default and not design.  Now at the ripe young age of 36, I'm ready to design my future.  I think all my talk is scaring him.  That I'm not happy with my life.  But in fact, its actually the opposite.  I am incredibly blessed with an amazing family, who I wouldn't trade for all the tea in China.  This amazing family is what sparked my desire for unconventionality.  Not to regurgitate, but I want to live passionately for my children, so they see first hand all things are possible. 

Is that so much to ask?  Slowly but surely, I'm learning to give it to God and let go.

Today's quote:  2 Corinthians 5:7-"For we live by faith, not by sight".

Today's assignment:  Be faithful; and if you catch yourself worrying, or in doubt, simply say, 
"I trust you, Jesus."