The Nature Trail of Life

I picture my path to discovery to look something like this image...full of beauty and wonder, but not your typical walk in the park. This picture caught my eye for several reasons...I love nature scenes, and will have them posted in my blog quite frequently. But this one in particular was the metaphoric portrayal of what I was trying to capture. While it truly is a magnificent nature picture, it hints at uncertainty...there could be lurking predators hidden in the trees...the pathway for this trail is quite unstable...there could be other unforseen obstacles along the way. This is true for my life. I've learned over the past year through a wonderful woman, MK Mueller (more on her and the 8 to Great process later), the road to success is NEVER a straight line. Nor is it always predictable...and there is always possibility of failure, rejection, embarrassment, etc. along the way. But--the most successful people in the world throughout history were those who continued to take risks, even after multiple failures and disappointments.

I would say that I am indeed a risk-taker. I think I always have been to some degree. I was always considered "out-going" by peers and teachers throughout school. I went to college to live in the dorms as a single, pregnant teen-ager...that alone was one of the biggest risks I've ever taken. Moving out to a small town in the middle of Nebraska with my two kids, not knowing anyone, was another risk. And finally realizing my dream job and taking steps in that direction was another huge risk. But all risks are positive. When I say this, some risks that come to mind that are not positive might include taking drugs or cheating on a significant other. But those acts are not risks, they are actually "escapes," and can have negative impacts on a person's life. I'm all about taking risks towards achieving my biggest goals and wildest dreams. Let the journey begin!

Why I'm Blogging

Hello! I'm so excited to write and post my first ever blog! This is something I've been wanting to do for a while now and I'm so glad it's finally happening. I want to start by giving some history as to why I'm writing this blog. So here goes...

When I was growing up, my mom worked for a man named Dr. Otis Miller in his clinic in Ord, Nebraska. He was a Medical Doctor, but because of his own interests and research, he evolved into what some would refer to as an Alternative Medicine Doctor. He was a huge proponent of health, nutrition, homeopathic remedies, etc., etc. and he (along with others in the clinic) had a huge impact on my mother. I can remember referring to my mother as a "health nut" because she was very much into health, nutrition, vitamins, homeopathy, and so on. Little did I realize at the time that this would eventually become my passion in life.

Taking you to another moment in my history: In high school, I was quite a rebellious thing...I rebelled against everything my parents were for. I drank and smoked cigarettes. I dated the rebel guy. I would sneak out of my house to party all hours of the night. I made a lot of poor decisions. And they had a snowball affect. I eventually found myself in rehab for alcohol abuse, in a shelter for women of domestic abuse, and eventually becoming a divorced, single mother of two young kids (all by the age of 23, by the way). But even after all of that, I continued to make very poor choices that had extremely negative affects. My life was in chaos, my thoughts and feelings were in chaos, and my health was taking a beating.

Fast forward to three years ago: On a whim, I took an interview for a job in central Nebraska. I was offered the job the next day, and something told me to 'go for it.' Getting out of northeast Nebraska where I went to college was the best thing that had happened to me at that time. I was able to have a fresh start with my children in a new, friendly town. Little by little, I started to make better choices for myself and little by little, the positive affects began to show. While I've come a long way from where I was in my early twenties, I've got room to grow! And that is my goal. To continue to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically and any other way possible!

I definitely believe in hints and nudges from above. We've all heard the quote "God works in mysterious ways" and I truly believe that. A few weeks ago, I went out to eat at a Asian restaurant. My fortune in the cookie said, "Journal your life's events." Blogging had been in the back of my mind for while, but reading this fortune, I felt, was God's way of saying, "Quit procrastinating Lindsay...your missing chances to record your life...get going!" So here I am, writing my first blog. It's going to be a great ride! :)