Building from within

Part 1:

Though not exactly sure where to begin, let's start with this: I've spent less time developing and cultivating new relationships and more time focusing on the ones I treasure most. To do this, I had to first develop a relationship with myself.

Supposedly Buddhist monks talk about developing peace and understanding from inside. In essence, by truly accepting and loving oneself. This year I've taken a break from new relationships and instead looked inward. What do I want? What do I need? Who am I when everything and everyone is taken away? These are the questions that I needed to face, and I don't think I'm alone in that this task is difficult when surrounded by new environments, new people, relationships, alcohol, drugs or whatever your vice may be.

Once my distractions were away - new place, new relationships, outdoor activities, I battled my reflection. Initially, it was an internal battle. Over time, quite a bit of time, I began to see clearer. I no longer was reliant on finding joy from other sources. Yes - I do enjoy hanging out with friends. Yes - I still miss hiking on an eternal level. Yes - I happen to like being active. What I am learning is that I can be okay with who I am both internally and externally no matter where I am, what I am doing or who I am with. 

I expected I may answer a few internal questions but I was not expecting to learn to love myself on the outward too. I've not been a body hater but now I've come to love and respect my body. I see myself in the mirror and I am happy at the reflection staring back at me. I know to respect my body I need to eat well, exercise, sleep and love my body as it is and will be. I see others aging and their wrinkles are beautiful to me. I guess when you are learning to love yourself a side effect is learning to love your body. 

Part 2:

It is easier to love those I care about when I love myself. My relationship with my two closest friends has expanded in depth. Finding myself has allowed me more room in my heart to love and cultivate these friendships that I cherish. Not focusing on creating and managing new relationships has been a good thing for me. If I read this a year ago, I would say I am being selfish or arrogant but I see it as finally understanding an age old concept: quality over quantity. I know they feel the same way too.

Part 3:

Family. Partially simultaneously as developing my relationships with my closest friends, I began working on my relationship with my family. I am still working on this, even more so than with my friends. I've become the positive role-model aunt to my older nieces, an ear to my sister and a big fan for my dad in his martial art class. As my term of service ends and my unknown location of a future draws nearer I have a three focus areas: build my relationship more with my oldest niece, sustain these relationships and be fully present when with family.

If you are struggling in any aspect of your life, and even if you are not, I encourage you to look inward.

Our deepest fear

I don't want physical things but..

*Update: After 6 months of attempting to fit into a wonderful boot, I returned them. On the bright side, I went ahead and bought the 35L bag from Groupon. I hope I like it.*

 



Soon I will turn a quarter of a century old. I was thinking about how my “wish list” has changed over the years. It's gone from scooters to footballs to karate gear to craft activity boxes to items to prepare me for life after high schools. For the most part, all of my desires were tangible items and though my “wish list” has tangible items they are far from what they once used to be.

(side-note: I don't wan't gifts but if you do, please only from this list. I've sold most everything else I own and really, really, really don't want things. I will sell it if you do.)

• Volunteer with an organization because you know I would love it if you did.
• Donate $$ if you can't, or in addition to, time. 
• 2 – 3 quick dry underwear
• 2 quick dry sports bras
• 4 quick dry hiking socks
• Quick dry tiny towel
• *30-35L pack w/rain cover and hydration system
• Compressible sleeping bag
• iPod or unlocked phone with wifi and camera
• Amazon gift card
• Thunder tickets (for me and you)...nosebleed section is great
• Paid experiences (such as: this, this or this and that)
• *Hiking boots - waterproof, sturdy and ankle or so high

Has your “Wish List” changed over the years?

I traded in my Chaco hiking sandals for business casual shoes

I feel out of place in a location where I once felt great comfort - my home, Oklahoma. The traffic, city lights, tall buildings, lack of recycling as a norm, trash-filled lakes and no natural beauty to be active within a 20-45min drive is saddening.

My CamelBak is no longer my go-to required item like a purse or wallet is for others. It is hung up just reminding me of what I left and giving me hope that I will use it again. -I should probably clean it at some point.

My Chaco tan is quickly fading not because of a lack of sun (100 degree days) but a lack of outdoor use. There is nowhere for me to hike in the mornings unless I drive a couple hours away.

In a weird way, I'm happy that people haven't been bombarding me with texts and calls. I find it overwhelming when they do after returning from a place without reception.

I think I'm starting to not just understand logically but understand emotionally how my students feel coming from cities such as Harlem and L.A. to live at a school in the mountains of CO - out of place, not centered.


There are MANY benefits of being home: family, not missing birthdays or holidays, watching my nieces and nephews grow up, being there for my best friends and returning to the place I feel most home, my dojo.

I also am fairly certain this move back home will get easier once my new job transitions from training to working on projects in the community. I know I need to keep busy and am addressing this as quickly as possible.
I joined a conversation group to help me improve my Spanish and I help teach twice a week at my dojo. Once I (re)learn how to use and fix a sewing machine, I'll have a great project (my t-shirt quilt) to work on throughout the winter in my evenings.I know change can take time but I don't think I was expecting to feel so distant from a state I once called home.


My next job will be in nature.

Top Things I'll Miss about my year in CO

Top things I will and won't miss about my time in Colorado:

I won't miss...

• Drugs of any kind - I get that CO is now legal in many ways but I hate drugs and would prefer to never smell or be around them again.
• Buffet lines
• Entitlement - I know it's everywhere but at least I don't live, work, breathe it every day.
• "Need" and "Want" being constantly misused
• Evening duty and nearly every time being treated like I'm a bad guy because I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing but did not like one bit (walking through the students' wings, removing hanging blankets, reporting damage, smells or graffiti, etc).
• Meetings, upon meetings, upon meetings
• Not having cell phone reception
• Being away from my best friend and family

I will miss...

• Not having cell phone reception
• Aspen House
• Saying, "I'm going to the park." and referring to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Hiking - being so close to hundreds of hiking trails and going on a different one each weekend.
• Not having to pay for gas to get to work
• Free Fun Experiences - snowboarding at Vail, eating out, ice cream, indoor/outdoor fun parks, etc
• Events in town and down the valley - especially service related
• Expanding my comfort zone and having meaningful conversations about equity, justice, empowerment, genocide, assimilation, spirit, energy, herbal remedies, home-made items, race, etc. I know it doesn't have to stop, but I'm not sure I will ever be surrounded by something quite like that again.
• Dojo in town
• Ukulele being played nearly every day - especially next door when falling asleep.
• Personal and Professional growth as a requirement
• Feeling like I found "my people" 
• Along with that, not being asked what's on my back (CamelBak) and  receiving weird looks from my choice of everyday shoes(Chaco sandals).
• Mountain Casual as the dress everywhere
• The conversations
• and much, much more.