Tiny Flecks of Color

I've been gone. I've known it. I've thought of a million entries to blog about but for some reason there's been a block. I log on and stare at the screen and log off. Excuses? I don't really have any. I've had a complete lifestyle change. I've changed jobs, changed age group that I work with, changed schedules, changed homes, changed states...

My faith has taken a hit. There are some trying aspects of change, I am no longer surrounded by people who feed my faith the way it had been fed before. I'm much more on my own. I have had more emotional challenges, spiritual challenges... I am adjusting and while I normally think that I adjust well to change but maybe it's harder when it is my own change.

Anyway, something happened to snap me out of this funk. We'll see if it sticks...

Today has been deemed the best day ever. Well, aside from the day I married Mr. Bean and probably all the other great days I've had but whatever... that's not the point. Today I received the best email to grace my inbox. You can read about it on my other blog - this blog is all about my new career, don't be jealous it has been easier to write in this area than here.

Also, I applied for 3 jobs on Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call with a request for an interview. Awesome.

But! While these things are great, the point of me wanting to post on this blog... the tiny fleck of color, well maybe more the smack across the face that I needed to again "snap out of my funk" is this:

Yesterday I went to see a patient. 59 years old and at the end of her life. Cancer has spread throughout her body while her family has grown, her 3 month old grandson the newest member. When I called to schedule an appointment with the patient I asked her what type of music she prefers. "I listen to the christian radio station." she replied. And I spent time that night going over a few hymns.

The next day off I go to meet this patient, unaware of how my heart would be touched. I walked in the door and was greeted by the entire family and the pastor. We prayed with the patient and I started playing. The atmosphere was tingling. My body covered with goosebumps. It amazed me I would turn to a piece of music and the patient (without seeing what I was preparing to play) would say something that spoke directly to the song lyrics I was about to sing. The whole session just dovetailed between prayer and music and commenting absolutely perfectly. I have no idea how the patient could say that I ministered to her because it was my soul that left feeling nice and full and happy. The icing on the cake... while I was there the phone call came in asking for an interview for a job - absolutely an answer to a prayer. And then today I find out that during that time 20 miles away the patient I have been seeing for the past 4 months was having a visit with her social worker. I have been working very hard with this patient, she is a tough cookie. She's my "project patient"- I am doing a case study on her for my final academic project. She is exceptionally depressed, trapped inside a body overcome by Parkinson's Disease. She has become someone I love to see, I care very much about, and I will always remember. The email I received today (referencing what happened yesterday) felt like a direct message from God reassuring me that I am in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time.


All of these things could just be that I am having a great week... each of them a coincidence with the other...

but I feel otherwise. and for that, I am grateful.

Today's "Day in the life" post is by Laura who has just opened her own etsy shop.

Laura is a friend of my from a LONG time ago - I think jr. high. Oh the good old days of bad haircuts, awkward pubescence, and first crushes. We did a few plays together... went to the same birthday parties... and in general were pretty much awesome. Laura married a long time friend (from Kindergarten or 1st grade) and her sweetheart. I love this couple, and I love Laura's new Etsy shop 

She is so creative and if this is what she's just starting with oh my goodness we are in for great things to come!

Laura and I have lost touch in the past 10 (yikes) years since high school but I am so glad to see that she is doing so well. She has her awesome man, a great job that I KNOW she's fabulous at, and now she's sharing her creativity with the world!

Speaking of sharing her creativity... one lucky reader will win one of Laura's bags!

Spring is in the air! Easter, anyone?

Isn't it beautiful! This screams "Summer" to me!

"A day in the life..." of Laura:

The pitter-patter of little feet. The squeals of excitement for another day at school. The surprise picture a student drew for me. Listening to a struggling student finally read a book. These are my joys each day as an elementary school teacher. When the days seem to drag or something stresses me out, I just have to think back to the morning bell when all the students come racing in eager to learn, listen and explore!

I hope that is isn't too much of a stretch that your job may bring blessings into your life. I hope that even though we all at some point don't want to get up Monday mornings there is something about what you do that brings you joy. If not your job - maybe a hobby? Leave a comment about an activity/job/repetetive part of daily life that is the blessing of your day. Something you may look forward to even when its difficult to wake up day after day. Leave your answer with an email address in the comments below. Entries must submitted by Friday at midnight and winners will be chosen at random and posted on Saturday. The winner will receive Laura's cute springy tote!!

Best of luck!

Thursday will mark a year since I began this blog.

Its hard to describe what this year has been. There has been a TON of self evaluation. An absolute ridiculous amount of relationship changes/ending involvement in activities/new directions. There has been heartache. There have been hurtful comments and just plain mean behavior. But! There have also been fabulous adventures. Cherished memories. Exciting prospects. Growth in friendships. Sunny mornings and snuggly snowy nights.

All of these, the good and the bad, have been exactly what was needed. Each situation caused me to be better; caused me to grow. Its almost comical to think back a year. How much worry did I waste? How much stress and anxiety? Tears and longing? Silly. I should know that “whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened”. It makes me realize that even when I am not organized, I may procrastinate a bit, the things that I get done are because I need them to get done. And in the end they have a way of being beautiful. Somehow what it is that I do ends up being exactly what needed to get done. I said what needed to be said. I got where I needed to be. I can always use improvement but at the same time the flaws of my days are what opens me up to the beauty of them.

When you look back on a year its amazing to see the movement. Its awesome to realize how far you have traveled in 365. BUT! I feel that there is value in noticing the little moments that make up that year. It is easy to look back at a year with a fresh view - however it is much harder to enjoy each moment that makes up that year. So often (as is the case with me and the whole month of February) days rush by us unnoticed. Time is fleeting. (Yes, I did just start singing The Time Warp from RHPS.) Anniversarys make us stop each year, reunions celebrate a memory after 10, 20, 50 years. But really to slow down and celebrate the rebirth of each new day. The commemoration of your first. The recurrance of the miracle of life, a jubilee. Sure I make it sound much more amazing than what I might feel when I first wake up. I am not the easiest person to wake up in the morning. But we can try!

With that in mind, I start of the blogiversary celebrations. The next posts celebrating Tiny Fleck of Color's blogiversary will center around "A day in the life..."

We will hear from some of my favorite up and coming bloggers, some activists/small business owners, crafters, and friends. We will be giving away some of my favorite products to inspire and bring a smile to your face.

Enjoy the week - read and comment often!