The Road Goes Ever On and On…

Ok, if you haven’t guessed (or read) it by now, I’m a girl geek.  I like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and other geek culture.  I love a good slogan t-shirt, and am thinking about investing in a Tauntaun sleeping bag for my niece’s visits.  So, all this nerd culture got me thinking about the path I am on.  It is different from where I thought I would go, but it is exciting, nonetheless.  It got me thinking of this quote from Fellowship of the Ring:

“It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no telling where you might be swept off to.” ~ Bilbo Baggins (as written by J.R.R. Tolkien)

I seem to have lost my feet, but in a tremendously awesome way.  I didn’t plan to be engaged within a year of my divorce, but I was, and it was awesome.  I didn’t plan to have my own brand of a nervous breakdown – But I did, and I met some great people and learned a lot about myself.

I certainly didn’t plan to start a photography business.  At least not this soon.  I planned to do some consulting work, some training here and there, but that is not the path I am on.  I really have so much fun working on my photography projects and have been so happy on this path.  It’s funny… you always hear people telling you to take the path of least resistance.  I have always been a person who seems to do things the hard way, because the easy way seems wrong.  Or it isn’t enough of a challenge.  I am a moron… sometimes.

But this time, I have decided to listen to the signs and signals on fire.  Watching out for the red flags told me that the first few people I dated were, in fact, the same guy.  They were exactly like that guy I married one time.  I didn’t want that.  I wanted someone completely different.  And I found him.  And it was as easy as breathing.  I am not used to that.  It has taken me a long time to realize this fact – It shouldn’t BE a struggle.  This goes for life, work, relationships, etc.  If you want to claw your eyes off, or gnaw your arm off to get out of the situation – Get the hell out!

Because the drama and stress is what will kill you.  I had a therapist tell me that the reason I have Diabetes at my age is because of the stress I have allowed into my life.  Actually, her exact words were “You aren’t fat enough to be this diabetic – It comes from stress.”  LOL Thanks, Doc.  But that realization really hit home for me.  I allow too much stress into my life, and that is no bueno for a self saving princess.

Take the road that feels right.  Intuition will really save you a lot of grief over what your stupid brain will tell you.

I have worked with a lot of people who are at a crossroads – especially in their jobs.  They tell me they don’t know what they want to do; or they are just fed up with what they are doing.  I ask them a simple question: If money were no object, and you could do anything… what would it be?

That is what you should be doing.  Because if you hate your job, your spouse, your life… you need to do what you can to make things right and to be happy.  This isn’t a “blow sunshine up your ass” speech.  It’s a “you deserve NOT to be miserable all the time.”  I’ve said it before and I will say it again… If I had a superpower, it would NOT be the power to feel like shit all the time!

So, take the road less traveled.  Fight for the things that are important.  De-clutter your life from bullshit.  Cut out the people who make you want to jump off a cliff.  And do what you love.  Get a dog, preferably from your local animal shelter.  Dance in the rain.  Dream.  Then plan.  Dreams without plans and action are just that – dreams.

But if you can put a plan into place, and actually take some action… Dreams can come true.  And they can be awesome.