I had an insight today: I've been feeling adrift and unsure of where to put my energy and talents. There are so many new faces at work which makes it difficult to know who is? It's like there's a stranger in our midst, who is that sitting at the nurse's station? So I think I'm going to take photos of everyone who consents, and do a mini interview with them. What hospital did they come from? What is their past experience? Do they have kids? What are their career goals?
I've decided to read books relevant to my kid's careers so that I have a better understanding of their life work. Yesterday, I helped Cristina the woman I tutor with homework for her class in Consumer Behaviour. She had to develop a marketing plan for selling homes to different minority groups. Hispanics and African-Americans are the newest segment of home buyers, yet they have certain cultural characteristics that need to be take into consideration. Fascinating stuff. So it got me to thinking about Ben and his work in marketing. And a new connection to him unfolded, a new source of discussion. Then I started to read a book called We Make The Road By Walking- Conversations on Education and Social Change sent to me by Sarah. She read the book for her thesis. And I hope to discuss segments with Matt, then perhaps Sarah when I visit in March.
So, do I put my energy into promoting changes at my work culture or promoting social change and support in my home community. I'm currently trying to do both, but what do I really want to do? I've re-committed to tutoring Cristina, I know I want to stay fit and spend as much time outdoors as I can. I love to read and explore new ideas and concepts. I'm much more prone to reach for a non-fiction book than a fiction one. Probably why I like to write creative non-fiction as well. And I still want to put together a scrapbook from our fall jaunt across the US and Canada. Then there's quilting and writing and sleeping.
Egads, I'm drawn in so many directions,it's a bit of a maelstrom. I know I'm fortunate that I have Matt's support in stretching my parameters and wanting to do it jointly as well.
Matt has been taking care of the daily mundane household chores, balancing the budget, shopping, cooking and shoveling. He's done his share of shoveling this month. My right arm is starting to go numb again probably due to neck/ shoulder problems secondary to lugging around a shoulder bag everywhere in Jamaica. Headed to the doctors next week. My sense is that I'll need physical therapy again. In the meantime, I'm trying to avoid doing more damage to the pinched nerve that keeps screaming at me throughout the day. His willingness to take on these tasks has given me more freedom on my days off. I appreciate his efforts to mind the store so to speak.
I feel more lighthearted and energized today and feel like I'm headed in the right direction--- I'm more positive about the future.
