It was a good decade, and I see the beginnings of another on the horizon.
Things I learned from my thirties:
- I turned 30 in Fall 2001, in the months just after "September 11th." I was working at a Muslim school in Aurora, CO that year. I learned a lot about Islam that year as well as the extent to which Americans can scapegoat a community. I learned about a culture that valued teachers and that showered us with fabulous feasts. I also learned something about myself: even though every member of my family suggested I quit working at that school, I decided to continue to work with the children, that I wouldn't make a decision based on fear for myself.
- In 2002, Kevin and I married, perhaps to make our relationship acceptable to the catholic school who had offered me a job that spring. Perhaps not the best decision I've ever made, but certainly my relationship with Kevin and his family deeply enriched my life, and I am grateful for the many years that we were together and our continued relationships today.
- In 2003, Kevin and I divorced. And got back together, and split up and got back together again. It took me a while to learn that lesson, and we split up for good in 2009.
- In 2004, I began my entrepreneurial years. I started an editing business and volunteered public relations work for The Other Side Arts, a non-profit art center based in Denver. I learned a bit about managing a non-profit through order and chaos, and learned even more about how to frame my own experiences in relation to others' professional needs, ie self-promotion. I saw myself as a contractor to the colleges where I taught, rather than as a faculty member, as I was "full-time/part-time." I also realized this freed me to think of myself as a freelancer to multiple agencies, multiple colleges. I also took advantage of learning as much as I could through my social networks and the professional development opportunities that were available to me through the colleges and through CANPO (Colorado Association of Non-Profit Organizations). I started having monthly lunches with inspiring women entrepreneurs. It was a stimulating growth period.
- In 2006, I learned doing 'scary' things with other people makes them less scary. Kevin and I moved to the San Luis Valley in Colorado, something I had wanted to do for a long time. We made the big decisions involved in uprooting our lives from one area to another. I'm grateful to him for doing that process with me; I can't speak for him, but I certainly acknowledge that I'm a better person for having made the move. I've experienced the blessings of stability as I've grounded myself in my new community. I think I would have been too afraid of the risk of moving as one person, with one tentative income. Thank you, Kev, for being with me during that time.
- In the five years I've been at Adams State College and in the Alamosa area I've grown so much professionally. I've had the time and resources to research and test best practices in Developmental Education. I've learned more about writing grants. I've developed habits that promote my overall health including daily walking and yoga and eating healthier. I also carve out time daily for writing and reflection. I bought a home. I make music and spend time with dear friends. I stopped coloring my hair. I snowboard regularly.
- I see family on my own terms. I'm not afraid of losing their positive regard. I'm getting better at owning my competencies, talents, gifts. I'm getting better at listening for my 'voice.'
- graduate school
- writing projects
- more memories of good times with family and friends
No comments:
Post a Comment