Go after your dreams, mama.
Writing has been on the back-burner lately. Amidst all the other things going on in our lives, writing seems to be the least important. After all, I've been writing not for-fun for the last three years. Yes, 36 months. That's right. I've been in the middle of my master's degree in social work. As of last week, though, I had my final paper submitted. I successfully gave 480 hours of free labor to a local police department for the purpose of fulfilling degree requirements. Well, since I started my master's, I've actually given 960 total hours of free work. The first 480 went to a homeless shelter in Fort Worth. On top of the two internships I completed, I did 15 other regular courses as well.
Oh, and that's not all. On top of being in graduate school and working full-time, my husband and I began the process to become licensed as foster parents, accepted our first placement, accepted two more placements, adopted all three, quit my job, accepted another placement, started a new part-time job........... So for the last 10 months, I was working part-time, being a stay-at-home mom on the days I wasn't at my internship, and juggling all the responsibilities and stresses that come with fostering, parenting, living, etc. When folks use the excuse that they "don't have time" to do something, I generally roll my eyes, because pretty much everyone has time to spare; however, there are times when this is not the case. Every moment that my kids were asleep, I was either working my part-time job, doing homework, or going to bed myself. Free time was essentially non-existent. Out of the three years of my master's program, two of those years were while being a parent (Need I remind you that we went from 0 to 4 kids in a year and three days). This has not been an easy path! Carrying all of those things (and working with other peoples' trauma) sent me fighting for my own self-care and mental health. It's taken every drop of strength I had in me.
So, how'd I make it? Well, I depended on a whole lot of people during this time. I've learned the art of accepting help when you need it. During the time I did have off from normal responsibilities, I made a conscious effort to take care of myself in meaningful ways. For me this looked like getting lunch with friends, going to doctor's appointments I had put off, crafting, baking, and resting in general. Had I not chosen to do all of those things, I would have never have been able to recharge to make it through the rest of the degree. Self-care is so important, and I know that after this year more than I've ever known it before.
Needless to say, I am tired.
Oh, and that's not all. On top of being in graduate school and working full-time, my husband and I began the process to become licensed as foster parents, accepted our first placement, accepted two more placements, adopted all three, quit my job, accepted another placement, started a new part-time job........... So for the last 10 months, I was working part-time, being a stay-at-home mom on the days I wasn't at my internship, and juggling all the responsibilities and stresses that come with fostering, parenting, living, etc. When folks use the excuse that they "don't have time" to do something, I generally roll my eyes, because pretty much everyone has time to spare; however, there are times when this is not the case. Every moment that my kids were asleep, I was either working my part-time job, doing homework, or going to bed myself. Free time was essentially non-existent. Out of the three years of my master's program, two of those years were while being a parent (Need I remind you that we went from 0 to 4 kids in a year and three days). This has not been an easy path! Carrying all of those things (and working with other peoples' trauma) sent me fighting for my own self-care and mental health. It's taken every drop of strength I had in me.
So, how'd I make it? Well, I depended on a whole lot of people during this time. I've learned the art of accepting help when you need it. During the time I did have off from normal responsibilities, I made a conscious effort to take care of myself in meaningful ways. For me this looked like getting lunch with friends, going to doctor's appointments I had put off, crafting, baking, and resting in general. Had I not chosen to do all of those things, I would have never have been able to recharge to make it through the rest of the degree. Self-care is so important, and I know that after this year more than I've ever known it before.
The purpose of this blog is not to say, "look at me!" or "I'm so amazing for everything I've done." It is my hope that this blog would inspire you. I hope it inspires you to do whatever it is you've been contemplating endlessly, or putting off for too long. Because I know you can do it. Maybe, for you, that's pursuing higher education. Maybe that's volunteering at your local food bank. Maybe that's heading back to work part-time or full-time, or even quitting your job! Maybe it's beginning the process to foster or adopt. Maybe it's taking that new job or moving to that new city. Whatever it looks like for you, I encourage you to go after it. You may be tired for a short time, but you'll get through it. You'll find a way to make it work, even if that means staying up late and giving every ounce of free time to whatever this passion may be. I'm in your corner, cheering you on. And even if we don't know each other, I'm cheering for you, regardless.
To close, I leave you with these words by JJ Heller. They are written from a mother to a child, but I feel they fit perfectly here... "Go after your dreams, as crazy as they may seem. Go and chase all the starts in the sky. Baby, I'll be paving the runway, 'cause I know that one day you're gonna fly." [To hear the beautiful melody, listen here.]
To close, I leave you with these words by JJ Heller. They are written from a mother to a child, but I feel they fit perfectly here... "Go after your dreams, as crazy as they may seem. Go and chase all the starts in the sky. Baby, I'll be paving the runway, 'cause I know that one day you're gonna fly." [To hear the beautiful melody, listen here.]Go after your dreams, mama. Your little ones are watching you too.
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