Our generation is always pursuing the “perfect job”. Most of the time, a twentysomething has no desire to sit in an office every day running reports or making cold calls.  Most people want the non-traditional approach to a job, getting paid to do something we love.  Those who are young at heart embrace an adventure.  But, on the other hand, many have a desire to date, to be with their friends, and to go out. Life is all about rhythms and seasons. The seasons of adventure in life come and go, but we are mandated to seek positive rhythms, which evolve around balance.  Pursue what you love. Find something that’s worth waking up early and going to bed late. Know it doesn’t always fall into your lap.

There is a tough line to draw when it comes to the opportunities to embrace what is around and taking the time to process and write. In my last post, I mentioned the chances I had to connect with people by keeping the book in my backpack or the headphones stored away. This comes at a cost, as my time spent reading and seeking growth in education was hit by the adventurous mindset of a nomad.  Don’t forget to take the time to write about all of the things around you. Be descriptive, and don’t buy the lie that you tell yourself, “I’m not going to forget this”. When you are in a new culture that is full of exciting adventures or diverse situations, the chances that you truly process all of them is slim to none.

 

“Patience in the companion of wisdom”- Saint Augustine

I wish I could sit here and make a list of those who have been incredibly patient with me throughout this tour, without driving away readers. I’ve struggled to maintain contact with many very important people in my life. Conversations typically involve a short life update and little beyond that. After weeks of not communicating, it is such a blessing to connect with a friend and within minutes, we are back to where we left off, and our friendship is affirmed.

Some of the best interactions and conversations that I had throughout this tour, believe it or not, came in an unorthodox place; FedEx/Kinko’s. Our organization is constantly sending/receiving equipment, so I quickly became a “regular”. In San Francisco, I got to know a gentleman by the name of Adrian. It started with simple thoughts from my day and grew into the most encouraging words I would receive every day. Once we moved to Oregon, I expected nothing more than a typical shipping experience, but grew to love Debbie and the entire gang at the Corvallis, who patiently accepted our 125 lb. shipments that came in batches of four. Invest in those around you. Even in the 48 hours that I was in Atlanta, I had a wonderful conversation with the lady who picked up our FedEx packages. She was quick to introduce herself,  crack a joke, and welcome “the new guy”. This is a shout out to FedEx as well, as they are proving themselves quite well from east to west.

Find those around you that are blessed with the ability to maintain a positive attitude. When you hit crunch time, this has an amazing ability to shape your experiences. Positivity is not my forte, as I tend to be more of a realist than an optimist, however I have been given abundances of positivity through a select few people in my community. Even if you are not positive from the moment you wake up until the late nights of your longest days, be sure to check yourself when negativity strikes. One negative remark, thought, or action not only affects your personal outlook of the circumstances, but it’s bound to bring down those around you as well. The power that we hold in our interpersonal communication is not only profound, but also empowering.