Dipping my toe into the water...finally

“Heeey, Dad?”

“What do you want?”

(In a rushed voice) “Can I join this one karate class? I got this flyer at school and I think it would be super cool and please? And it would be awesome? And pretty please with a cherry on top?”

(Dad views flyer)

“I’ll have to talk with you mom, but probably.”

This is how I imagine the start of what would become my way of life began: an overly excited seven-year-old coming home from school asking her dad if she could become a ninja, something straight out of the movies.

Over 17 years later and I’m stepping my big toe away from theoretically opening my own place to actually starting a (test) class: eight Sunday mornings introducing basic self-defense and traditional Okinawan karate to potentially just one student.

I can’t help but wonder, “Where is my safety net?”

Where are my fellow instructors: Sensei Steve and Sensei Brandon? Where are my upper-belt students: Patricia, Andrew or Robert?

The realization that to start something new, someone had to decide to try is attacking me like an allergic reaction to peanuts. Yet, within the same reflection, I also know I am ready. In spirit, those who have gone before me are and will always be with me.

 

Sorry it's backwards. From Master Sharon English to my parents:
(You guys are great. I appreciate your support and your friendship. You did a great job with the scorekeeping (and I know it was a lot of work). Jennifer did as superior job. Her positive attitude and willingness to try will help her excel in everything she does. It is a reflection of great parents. Thanks again. Sharon) - March 1999

As the seven-year-old naive child, I had a lot of learning to do, but looking back I can see just how much support I had from others; people believed in me. I hope to be even half the person others were and still are to me.

Wish me patience and understanding,

Jenn

And so it begins

"Is this real?" I asked myself.

I looked in my box and there were four envelopes from people I've never met and placed I've yet to see. The envelopes collectively contained 33 thank-you cards waiting to be used.

"This is real." I told myself as I walked gingerly past others' desks thinking of who I should write to first. In a sense, the answer was right in front of me. I was to write to the people who aided in my mission; Finding something to be grateful for in each member of my entire school community, in less than year.

However, these wonderful people would not be the first on my quest. Instead I had come into the mailroom to drop off my first batch of thank yous when I checked my box.

I began instead with a pen, a few 3x5 neon-colored index cards and addressed those in my immediate community first: 

"Thank you for all your help at gathering. I would have been lost without you."

"Your relationship gives me hope."

"I feel a part of the community because of you."

Something tells me this will be a wonderful journey...

Calling all ugly, odd and misspelled thank-you notecards

I started reading 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik and became inspired to begin my own two-part project: 

1. Thank each and every person (workers and students) at Eagle Rock by August 2014.
2. Secretly engage the community (a collective term encompassing all workers and students at Eagle Rock) in writing thank-you notes.

Call to Action –

I am collecting 150+ unused thank-you cards. Does it have batman on the outside of it? Is there an old flower that reminds you of your grandma covering it? Did you keep a box full of cards, forgot you had them and now they look too old to use? Do you, your school, church or creepy neighbor have any of the above? GREAT! I am accepting any and all unused thank-you cards.

Jennifer Pearsall

2750 Notaiah Rd.

Estes Park, CO 80517

About 365 Thank Yous:

(Short Version) John Kralik’s personal, professional, financial and social life has fallen completely apart when one day he is inspired to write a thank-you note. He then makes a commitment to write one note every day for 365 days. Kralik finds himself trapped within his own mission where some days it appears there is nothing to be thankful for, but he perseveres. Does he finish this challenge? I’m not sure but I bet I will know by the time I finish this delightful read.

Sincerely,

Jenn

I did it! Wohoooooo!

Extremely, extremely excited to say my idea was approved. Here is the image of what my sample looks like. I could not have done this without going back and forth about relevance, material and especially design with Marcy, Becca, Denise L., and John G. Thanks to Jenn for giving me ideas on how to make this initial process (slightly) easier on myself and to Dan for (Friday) showing me how to make an online importing system survey for the students.

WOHOOOO!!! Next projects: making a document for each student and importing all of their past service, creating a weekly eblast with service opportunities, planning my second course & writing a song with all the acronyms this school has. Okay..so maybe the last one isn't quite a priority.

Much love!
Jenn

Wait, I'm supposed to MAKE money in life?

“If you could do anything (as a career) without regard to time or money, what would you do?”

I was going through some of my old papers and notebooks from college when I came across the beginning of an assignment that asked that question. It seems odd to me that there has to be such context of “without regard to time or money” but then I realized that we as people put limitations on ourselves, the way we think and in the end, what we decide to do.

Birth –> Preschool -> Elementary School -> Middle School -> High School -> Job & College -> Job -> Career -> Family -> Death

Yep, that’s my outlook on what life is currently.

Birth -> Learning how to read, laugh, love, walk, talk, hug, high five, explore -> Finding oneself, passions, interests, desires, loves -> Exploration -> Death

This is how I hope life can one day be viewed as by everyone. The events, and even the order, can be the same but what is valued is different.

So back to my assignment, I wrote two answers: 1. I would open a leadership camp and serve at-risk youth.  2. I would travel the world helping people for free.

The first is a risk but ends with a savings, retirement plan and health insurance. It offers stability, acceptance by society and structure. The second offers freedom, cultural experiences, varying viewpoints, connections and adventure. Both are great and I will always tend to lean towards the first because that is the safer route but in my heart, I will never be truly fulfilled.

Where is your path taking you and what would you do if you didn’t have to worry about money or obstacles?

 

Be true to your passions, desires, hopes, dreams,

Jenn