...and so it begins...

Isn't that the truth?

We tend to believe that our lives should look a certain way because of what we see in the lives of others, or what we're told our lives should look like by (mostly) well meaning people, or what we've placed on ourselves. But if the breadth and depth of our lives resembled the lives of others, wouldn't we be living carbon copies, unoriginal, undistinguished, inconsequential? Without a doubt, that is the safer route, but is that really what we want?

I had a picture in my mind of how it was supposed to be at this point, and every major life decision I made reflected that picture. But as days go by, and fantasy and reality pull themselves further apart, I'm beginning to realize that I may need to re-examine what is possible for me, and re-imagine what my life could be.

Life doesn't come to us neatly packaged and prepared, ready to be unwrapped and enjoyed. It is much more like the metamorphosis of a butterfly (or like the “birthing” of the orcs in Lord of the Rings.) It's scary, gross, messy, slimy, slippery with many falls and failures, broken dreams and bruised hearts. But mostly, the journey is unknown, and this is the scariest of all...

...but these are also the ingredients found in the very best stories. And I'm beginning to realize that I cannot be happy with anything less than a great adventure...

So maybe this blog is just for me, a personal journal that will keep me accountable to writing my life's story. But maybe it can be for you, too. Maybe you can be encouraged, or inspired, or comforted. So come along with me. I could use the company.

Are you ready?