Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Following My Compass

Yeah it's been a bumpy road,
roller coasters high and low...

In the last year my normally pretty quite road of life had taken many different turns, had changed speeds, and endured many stops at the mechanic.  I had experienced some new highs, but unforchantly the lows out weighed them.  It seemed like nothing was truly working out for the better...

Fill the tank and drive a car, pedal fast, pedal hard,
You won't have to go that far,
You wanna give up 'cause it's dark
We're really not that far apart...

Then changes that I knew were coming finally came, I headed back to the one place that always comforts me and resets me - back home.  I moved in with my parents, rolled the dice on finding a new job, and packed up my life once more.  Hard decisions were made and I always had to wonder if I was making the right ones.  But regardless of the decisions my friends and family stood by me in so many different ways.

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you're lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go

But then things started to fall into place. A new, amazing job that gives me ways to grow and challenge myself and even lets me be back in my old communications multi-media world while being a part of so many change agents in Central Minnesota.  Being around my parents and getting to know them all over again in a  different way.  Seeing familiar faces and catching up with so many voices that I hadn't heard in so many, many years.  Before when all I could see where "Round-about" signs, I finally felt as if these new signs were trying to show me that I was actually going in the right direction.

When it's all said and done, you can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what, you'll never be alone

So now here I sit.  At the same computer desk that I used in high school, typing this blog.  Incase you had notice, it is newly named blog.  I started writing this to share my bike/life stories but had noticed that it has changed into more life stories while I am running around barefoot (I hate socks and shoes, and yes, even in the winer - no socks.) on and off my bike.  So I thought a name change was needed.

But as I was thinking about how to write something about all of the changes that have happened since I moved back inside the city limits of Royalton, a started to think about signs and directions.  Lately I have been noticing them more - little things that I do believe God has been putting in my life to show me that this is exactly where I am meant to be.  Breadcrums if you will.  From being able to share a final meal with Mary Rose before she passed away, to seeing Deb Dixon in Nisswa by random chance, to having a car die in the middle of a frozen lake only to make for great story, and so many more little things that reminded me that I actually feel like I am going in the right direction again.

I first heard the song Compass by Lady Antebellum at the CMA awards this fall while watching them at Jodi's house.  I feel in love with the song immediately because I felt that I could completely relate to the lyrics and the message.  I was just trying to follow my compass and listen to my heart.

So I did.  And I thought it was only fitting that Compass came on the radio each time I interviewed at the Initiative Foundation.  The words also filled my car when it was packed to the gills with my life and headed up the road the Minnesota.  And it also came from my speakers on a foggy night adventure to try something new.  The lyrics and the message did not fall on deaf ears, instead it helped me see through the dark.

So here I sit.  Still writing and still trying to follow the signs and my compass.  All while trying to convince my mom that not wearing socks with my Crocs is completely and 100% normal.

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when're lost...