Breathing Underwater

I just watched a Martha Beck webinar on finding your mission. I want to believe I have a mission in life. I want to believe I'll find it before I die... like, years before I die, so I can actually fulfill it and not just lay back on my deathbed lamenting. "Well, shit. I really missed that boat!" Martha says we're all probably already living our mission in some way, as it's in our nature (from birth) to gravitate toward it. Yeah. Unless my mission is pinning house plans on Pinterest, I'm thinking I'm not living it yet. She also uses the "Three N" method for figuring it out: 1) Notice what brings joy to your sensibilities; notice what "lights you up." 2) Narrow that field; look for the brightest light. 3) Name it (if you feel the need). Sounds simple, right? Sounds like the advice every life/career coach gives. My problem, though, is that all my lights are pretty dim these days. It's true. Let me list a few of the th...

A few weeks ago, I started a pottery class at our city parks and rec department. It's something I've wanted to do for years, but I could never fit it into my schedule or budget. Then, a few weeks ago, there was a class listed in the spring activity guide, on the one night I don't have to struggle to make time, for a price I could afford. Squee! I signed up right away and got the last slot (whew!). We've had three classes so far and it's been so much fun! The teacher is great, the other people in the class are kind and encouraging and funny, and learning something new - especially something creative - has been much a much-needed respite from the same-old, same-old. But it's not easy.  I realized tonight that making pottery - or attempting to make pottery - is a lot like Life .  1. It's messy. Lord have mercy, it's messy.  2. If you don't prepare well, all the flaws in the clay will show... and weaken it. 3. It requires an am...