Minutes from my meeting

Yesterday I had a meeting with myself.  After gathering my thoughts and writing down how I got here this is where I went.

Things that made me happy…  dance, volunteering, debate, lawyering, helping people, writing, youth group, teaching, community, knitting, co-workers, being excited, crafts, being connected, keeping busy

Things that I need to change…  not busy enough, feeling disconnected, blessed but not giving back enough, wasted law degree, not feeling accomplished, bored

Action items…

1.  Have family raise money and participate in a walk for cancer research.  I have found walk in May near our house.  I have been trying to find more information but I just found their Facebook page and sent a message.  I would love for the five of us to participate and raise money.  I think this will be an invaluable teaching tool and work towards doing some good in the world.  My husband was diagnosed with cancer when we were 24 one month after we were engaged.  12 years later he is doing really well.  I would love to help plan the event - hopefully I will get some response from them soon.

2.  Volunteer during the week.  I have a big block of time on wednesdays thanks to my amazing mother-in-law taking #2 and #3.  This is where I feel like with this amount of time I need to be actually "doing" something good.  I have been trying to find a good volunteer opportunity for me but it has been hard.  Part of me feels like I should utilize my law degree - but then I feel like I am not trained to help people.  I haven't been practicing for 8 years!  Maybe I should focus on a new area.  I have contacted some places - I need to follow up.

3.  Writing.  Even if it is never seen by anyone else I am committing to writing on this blog five days a week monday through friday.  I might sprinkle back in my old ideas of recipes and crafts but also keep writing about my thoughts and progress on the next chapter in my life.  I already feel more centered and motivated after two days.

4.  Debate/teaching.  I loved the debate team in college.  I have thought a lot about getting involved in this over the years.  The problem I always come upon is that it is very weekend centered.  I want to spend time with my kids and husband on the weekend - maybe when they are much older.  I might want to explore teaching at a high school or community college.

5.  Dance.  Dance was my favorite thing I did.  I danced all the way through school until law school.  After law school I went occasionally - but I was frustrated with my fitness level and changing body.  I have spent a ton of time researching dance schools that have adult classes.  I found one in the town next to mine that has adult classes.  The timing isn't great - 12:15 on saturday - but maybe if I go once a month just to get the juices flowing.  I already bought new shoes!

6.  Charity knitting.  Last weekend I cleaned out my basement and found boxes and boxes of yarn.  Once I finish a baby blanket for a new nephew that is coming next month I want to quickly make scarfs to donate to homeless shelters.  I began researching different knitting charities - I should look into that more.

Ok - I feel like I have made some progress.  The thing I am most surprised about is that I had already made a lot of progress prior to my meeting.  I have been thinking about what makes me happy and what direction I want to move in.  I have been doing a fair amount of research and work.  Getting all of this information down has been so helpful.