Living My Dream

Today, in a moment of stillness, I came to an epiphany...I am living my dream. Wow, I thought to myself, what an incredible realization! My past was fraught with trouble and broken dreams - heartache, abusive relationships, illness, loss, and confusion. Now, despite facing some current medical challenges...all I've ever wanted is...the life that I have. This clarity came to me as I inwardly reviewed my current life situation. I'm living with my soul mate in a peaceful cabin in the woods. I have the opportunity to expand on my artwork and have a wonderful friend and mentor to guide me in these efforts. I'm active in a non-profit environmental organization through which I can participate as well as create programs for to benefit our little corner of the world here in the Catoctin Mountains. My beautiful daughter is healthy and thriving and all that she is and all that she does makes me ever so proud of her. The struggles we lived through only made her a stronger, more determined individual, ready to face the world and reach for and live her own dreams. My "dream" career, beyond parenting, has always been as teacher and naturalist - both of which I carry out on a less formal basis than in previous paid positions I've held, but now with the utter freedom to do as I would like to do without constraints or structured guidelines. I also love nature photography, and though I am not a professional and don't work with high tech equipment, I enjoy taking simple pictures outdoors, and, every-once-in-a-while, come up with shots that capture the essence of what I was going for when I snapped them. Living my dream, in some ways, is a letting go of some of the bigger, more expansive versions of what that means - I realize I won't work for National Geographic on assignment or do field studies of tropical birds and butterflies in the Amazon Rainforest...but I do enjoy whatever traveling Kevin and I do and look forward to every new adventure we take, be it near or a little farther. Looking forward to our vacation getaways keeps life exciting in the slower times. The slower times are enjoyable in and of themselves - living in peace and in harmony with Kevin in a home environment we create for beauty and comfort. Being in tune with and enjoying the seasonal changes. Tending the gardens and discovering new birds and insects and observing other wildlife in our woodlands. Leisurely weekends going to museums, antique shops, and doing household chores, going out to the movies or staying in and watching DVDs...being with my friend and love to share in all that life is and means. Plus, I have goals that I look forward to working on and achieving - continuing the climb to better physical health, picking up my new flute and getting back to a place I left off long ago when I played lovely music at ease and with much enjoyment, writing and illustrating that book I've conceptualized for years. Living the dream ~ accepting the past for what it is and forgiving myself and others when necessary, whole-heartedly enjoying the present and reflecting on the good, and reaching for goals in the future ... yup ... living my dream! Life may have thrown curve balls and added in it's struggles to contend with, but, it sure is something to sit back now and fully realize the life I've carved out is a life that I love...hard work, perseverance, good decision making, and faith have led to living a dream come true.