Have you ever been confident about something…despite it seeming completely irrational?
Have you ever just had a strong feeling that everything was going to turn out a certain way?
And then have you ever just found yourself staring into space, wondering what the hell happened?
Welcome to life, I guess.
Sphere: Related ContentSo what does one do after returning from a journey of epic proportions? The first few months were definitely hard. It was great being home but after only a few weeks, I started to get a bit antsy. For almost a year, my life had consisted of traveling from one place to another. It felt weird living back with my parents and sleeping in the same bed night after night. Where was the adventure? Where was the excitement? Despite feeling a bit, for lack of a better word, bored, I reveled in the knowledge of the opportunity before me. Yes, I was broke and living with my parents, kind of a sad statement in our individualistic society. But, at that time in my life, I could go in any direction I wanted. Everything was open. If I randomly decided to move to Maine and take some random job there, I could. Not to say that I would want to, but I was completely free. I was not tied down by a job or by a relationship. As a result, I was a little hesitant in launching myself into either. As soon as I committed myself to a job, I knew that it could take me down a path that would influence the rest of my life. I had tons of options and a lot of things I could’ve pursued. However, I made a promise to myself during the trip.
Traveling for 8 months, you have a lot of thinking time. Bus rides were great for that. I have no idea how much time I actually spent riding on buses but I wouldn’t be surprised if that total time added up to a month or more. During that time, you’re usually just left alone with your thoughts. Staring out bus windows, sitting on some ferry, waiting for transportation to somewhere, I would think a lot. I would think about the future. I would reminisce about the past. I would think about what I wanted out of life. I would pray and try to converse with God. All of that thinking, praying, and reminiscing led me to only a few key ways on how I wanted to live my life. One was to let my passions lead me. I don’t know how many times I’ve prayed and asked God “what do you want me to do?” It’s funny that the answer always is something like “follow your heart” or “be yourself.” It’s so simple. I just keep trying to complicate things. What is it about us that always tries to out think ourselves?
So, I only pursued things I was passionate about or thought I could be passionate about. First, I thought I wanted to be a documentary filmmaker. So I bought a few books and started studying. I almost bought a higher end video camera several times and one time actually purchased one before canceling it when I found out that the website had a history of sending inferior products. That ended up being a good thing as that passion gradually fizzled.
The pressure to get a job was really on but I resisted pursuing jobs just for the money (though I do attest, living with my parents made this a lot easier!) I finally applied for a position at a gym called Epicenter Fitness. They were in need of a swim coach/swim instructor and thought it would be fun to give it a try. I also got to use the pool for free! In retrospect, that position was an absolute joke. I “coached” two kids in a pool only 3 feet deep on the second floor of a building in downtown Bellevue. It was for only 1 hour for 3 days per week but, I got to use the gym for free. I searched for another coaching position somewhere. At that time I don’t think I would have considered coaching a passion but something I found intriguing and wanted to pursue.
Then I saw a craigslist ad for a coaching position available for Cascade Swim Club in Shoreline. I pursued it and went to the pool for what I thought was going to be an interview. The position available was for the little novice swimmers. The coach that was supposed to show me the ropes didn’t show up and Lisa, the head age group coach, was completely swamped with coaching her kids. “I’m so sorry but can you handle these kids today?” Now, there were about 15 little kids in need of direction, and my one month of “coaching” two middle schoolers hardly counted as experience. I had no idea what I was doing but I found myself answering “sure.” She gave me complete control. After about 5 minutes basically making stuff up, she asked me if I wanted the job. The rest is history.
I have been coaching for a year and a half now and I absolutely love it! I could start listing everything I love about coaching but that might be a whole other post! I started in the novice group and this year I’m coaching the next group up, which means I’m still coaching some of the same kids that I started with! It has been such a joy seeing those kids almost everyday and watching them grow up. It’s a job I would be happy doing even if I didn’t get payed, which is a really cool thing. Coaching has definitely developed into a HUGE passion of mine.
During all that time, many other things took place in my life. A relationship came and went. I moved out of my parents house for a while, only to move back to save some more money. I held a second job for a while, working with children in an after school program. It was fulfilling in lots of ways, but ultimately not for me. I made a road trip back into my past…seeing places and people with whom I grew up. I started swimming again and competed at masters nationals a year ago. I made a trip back to Guatemala to check out my parent’s new organization W.I.N.D. of God. I’ve recently completed search and rescue training and now possess an emergency worker badge. So that has been my life, in a nutshell.
Do I still feel that itch to travel? Every once in a while, I do. Sometimes I think about how fun it would be just to randomly take off and start driving. But then sanity wins the day as I remember how much I love it here and the relationships I’ve built here. I’m in a place in my life where my passions have led me. I will stay here until they lead me somewhere else. 