needed reminders
I spent this past weekend in Minnesota. It was GREAT to go back to a place I love, see people I love and relax!! As I was thinking on my drive back home this afternoon about the trip, it made me realize a few things:
I am not very good at taking care of myself. I don’t often take time off or get away and after this weekend I think that needs to change. When living my life means interacting with my work, it is hard to find the balance between work and play. (Especially when work feels like play so often!) I am not exactly sure how to do this, but this weekend was a wonderful reminder that I am not just a student, I am not just a GRA, I am also a friend and a sister, an artist and child of the king (to name a few). My identity is not my titles or my roles.
I love friends who I have a history with. It is refreshing to not have to explain why I don’t eat the ends of certain foods, or the story behind why I think something is funny. I love inside jokes that have been around for at least 4 or 5 years and never seem to get old. I love seeing that life moves on, people change and yet there is a hint of something that never does change. It is an incredible thing. Although there weren’t a TON of deep, meaningful conversation topics this weekend, just to BE with people was exactly what I needed.
I was reminded of some of the roles that I play in life that are different from what I do every day – and that is a really great feeling. I am also reminded that although I live in a state of permanent transition, there are constants. Remembering what it was like to be a new student at NWC made me realize (again) why I love what I do, and why I desire to dig my heels in and invest everything in the people around me… even in the midst of transition and change.
Oh… and felt really good to come back to Illinois. Home for now!
