WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR 
ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE? - Mary Oliver

I conjure up this quote whenever I'm feeling lost because it reminds me of a few important things. That we have one life. That this life is precious and rare. And that it is wild! We did not come alive to sit in front of screens all day. We are meant to live a wild existence in a wild world. 

Our time here is limited—both our individual lives and human existence in the cosmos. And we have this one small glimpse of it all where we have the potential to understand it, improve it, and simply to enjoy it.

So what do I plan to do? Well I've gotten this question a lot, with an implication of there being only one answer, which better contain some level of monetary success. Sorry folks, but I can't provide that kind of answer right now.

I want to live a life where each day presents adventure, and challenge, and joy. I also intend to live a life filled with shared experiences of mutual growth and service. I know I'm doing a lot for myself in the next year, but really I'm doing it for us.

I do have a grasp on what some of my passions are, but I feel I would be doing our collective existence a disservice if I went into the working world aimlessly and money-focused. I'm called to spend a little more time investing in myself so that I can better invest in others upon my return. 

Even though my personality makes me resistant to change, I know I need to give myself a heavy dose of culture shock to propel me towards a deeper understanding of this world and what I can bring to it. My journey around the world will simultaneously be a journey to myself. And I can't wait to see what I find :)  Once I have gone through repeated challenges and loneliness and adventure and play, I will be much closer to knowing my truest self and sustaining that self in all that I do after. 

So what do I plan to do? I plan to live fully in each moment and to follow my bliss. I'll let you know where that takes me once I get there, but you know wherever it is, you'll find me smiling!

I'll leave you with one of my favorites...