The Job

Working with Patagonia in Pasadena has been a dream. Sometimes I forget how great it is, but I am eager to remind myself.

I get to walk to work. I have been inspired to challenge my body by running with co-workers at the Rose Bowl or up the San Gabriel Mountains. Having access to great gear for family, friends and myself is a noteworthy perk. The manager and assistant manager do everything in their power to help customers and employees, making it a comfortable work environment. Friendships have formed with co-workers that I could not have foreseen. Exploring shops, old and new, is a favorite pastime during lunch break. I am empowered to help people to the best of my ability, and am supported by managers and corporate workers to go the distance to make people happy.

Wow. Thank you, Jesus, for such a great job, and for the gentle reminders to be thankful for it all!

New Year, New... A Lot of Things.

This year, I decided, is actually going to be a year I make some sort of change. I actually made a list of all of the things I want to change.

1. Exercise consistently. Running, weight training, dancing, ultimate frisbee... you name it.
2. Eat Well. Resources like, "Nourishing Traditions" or NPR Food Podcasts might be a good way to start, in addition to getting more vegetables from the farmer's market. Just get more from the farmer's market, in general.
3. Read. Classics, language books, philosophy, Scripture.
4. Practice Spanish. This goes along with previously mentioned "language books," but felt it was substantial enough to be it's own number.
5. Don't freak out about not having consistency in life. Remain open to adventures of all kinds.
6. Be honest. Be honest with yourself, be real with Hector, live authentically even if struggling. Pray, ask for help, laugh more, and take deep breaths.
7. Start a blog about all of the things above. Cooking, dancing, adventures, struggles, reflections, obstacles overcome, anticipations, relationships, love, and faith. Don't be afraid to let people see it.

So, here you have it! I'm displaying my resolution for more people to see than just me so I can be held accountable!

...But really, I don't expect myself to do all of these things, at least not all at once. Maybe I won't do all of these things. Truly, it's not even about New Year's (Year's? Years'?) Resolutions.

I want to live life fully, process circumstances, try new things, and invite others to see it all. I am so afraid of what other people think of me There! Whew, I said it! But I don't want to be! So, even if only for my friends and family to see, I want to live vulnerably and authentically. Though I encourage others to do so, I don't often take my own advice. However, this isn't even my advice.

Jesus desires for us to have life and life abundant (John 10)! So often I forget this and find myself caught up in details that don't really matter, things that are keeping me from living fully! This year, this new year, I am reminded that the old has gone and the new has come. I want to live like Jesus, I want to be made new, and I want to be so trusting of the Father's care that I can live abundantly.