Finding Your Inner Dog

Courtesy of Creative Commons

If you have spent enough time with me, you might remember me ranting about my jealousy towards birds. I mean look at all the places they get to go and all of the things that they get away with! Us mere humans have to follow man-made rules about monuments that birds just don't understand. I am pretty sure birds know it is not appropriate to take a dump on a Lincoln statue, but they are pretending to be oblivious.

As much as I love the idea of adventure and freedom that must come with wings, I am also learning the value in staying, rather than flying away. I found out the other day I didn't get the Fulbright grant I was so hopeful for. That would have carried me away for another year to Argentina. My instinct is to find another place to go visit; in fact, I'm itching for it. But I believe as I am in this transitional stage, I need to stay. Stay, Maggie, stay, as if commanding a dog. Dogs are obedient, loyal animals and those are virtues needed for commitment (discussed in my previous post). I never had a dog growing up; I had a turtle. But perhaps it is time to nurture the dog in me.

Dog Zen Inspiration, Creative Commons

It is not natural for me, so I accept it as a challenge. In the meantime, I find adventures within the old stomping grounds. For example, taking piano classes at an adult school with my awesome friend Aja. For example, taking my other wonderful friend Raha to visit Crystal Cove beach. Or, if I must share my dorkiest of past times, checking out the different libraries in the Orange County area. Any suggestions for local adventure are graciously welcomed!

Taking the plunge: Life's Decisive Moments

So we're thirteen days in and we're still writing 2012 in the date, now finding some resolutions as much too lofty, and getting back into the beautiful humdrum of routine. How you spent your New Year's Eve doesn't matter anymore, and tax season is eagerly biting our heels.

Team Living pre-plunge, on the east side of the bridge

What's different for me this year? Well first off, I started with a plunge, into an ocean harbor. Yes, at the fourth hour of this year, I decided I needed to plunge as a ceremonious cleanse. It sure shook out any devil in me. The following weekend on a whirlwind visit to friends in San Francisco, I had good company with me to dip into Baker Beach that is just west of the gorgeous Golden Gate. Both times I could have said no and backed off out of fear; I'm a better person for taking the plunge.

Many close friends know me as an open and adventurous woman, and consequently a very indecisive person avoiding commitment. I'm the grey who bounces back and forth between black and white. While it allows for an easy-going persona, that might become self-destructive at some point. For instance, in the case of deciding what kind of career path to take. Instead of deciding on one and committing to it, I flounder between several as I try to keep all of my options open. Law school? Journalism? Education? Speech Pathology? This type of noncommittal indecisiveness results in paralysis.

A good friend called me out the other night, saying quite frankly that I am scared to be in a relationship. This aligns with my noncommittal tendencies. As some say the truth hurts, what he said hit a tender spot within. With that said, cheers to 2013 as I take plunge after plunge. As I start a new job, taking step by step, I look to make some changes. Starting with shaking out the devil on my shoulders, as Florence so poetically tells us, I look to bravely take on the challenge of commitment. Who would know that this could be so difficult?