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You Are Not A Tree

Post graduation update for you lovelies. I really miss being a student! Surprise ;) Just kidding, about the surprise part, not the missing school part. I am grateful I have chosen for a career something that will require me to be a student all my life.

I've been working at a residential treatment facility for troubled teen girls. It's a bit crazy. And overwhelming, humbling, and occasionally really awesome as well as rewarding. I work full time and my schedule is a bit crazy which is difficult for me but is excellent practice for my internship and residency years - This is what I tell myself to lower my anger levels at not getting the sleep I want to get when I want it. You don't realize that college is actually a pretty sweet set up really.

I've been frustrated though. I live at home and we live in a country town and I don't know anyone here that is even remotely close to my age. I've found myself getting pretty moody about this lately and I realized I needed to change my attitude.

One of my all time favorite quotes is from the genius Jim Rohn. (Who was born, get this, in Yakima Washington! How crazy is that?!) He said, "If you don't like the way things are, change it. You are not a tree."

I love that. We have power over our lives. If you don't like the way something is, choose to do something about it. A revolutionary idea! Actually, if you think about it, this idea is the complete basis behind the American Dream and America in general. When you decide things aren't your ideal, the beautiful thing is that you can choose to do something about that!

So I've been upset I don't know anyone my age and so when I'm not working I spend time alone at home or occasionally I'll drive into town and spend some money. As a general rule I don't mind the first and I loathe the second. But lately I've mostly loathed them both.

I decided to do something about it. I took a spontaneous trip to Rexburg where I did my undergrad work and visited my friends. I chose to place myself somewhere where I knew I was surrounded by people my age who know and love me. And it worked. I feel much better. I saw some dear friends. I learned an important life lesson. I ate birthday cake. I slept on a couch (I hate sleeping on couches). I wasn't sure I'd stay the night so I packed a bag - but I am not so great at the planning thing and so you know what I packed? My guitar, my music book, and my pj's. That's it. No toothbrush, no pillow, or blanket, or socks, or sweater. It was a humorous moment when I realized I would be staying the night but I had arrived ill prepared.

And when I returned, after a work meeting I went out of my way to interact with a girl I work with and we left the meeting and ended up spending several hours hanging out. It was delightful! We went to hastings and bummed around. We spent WAY too much time checking out nail polish at a makeup store. We grabbed dinner and kicked her husband off his game console so we could watch a movie.

I returned home satisfied. And much less troubled by the idea that "I have no friends" "I have no life" boo who boo who. The lies we tell ourselves!  I'm glad I know I have power over my life and that choice resides securely in my hands.


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