What in the world is a career?

So
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Mostly because now that I'm in my mid thirties I should be thinking about this.... right? I mean my parent's generation, and the generation before them were all about getting a career,.

But seriously...... I don't think that's where this Gen-Xer is going. Should I be?

I have this huge fear of getting into a situation where I get a really good job doing something kind of sophisticated, getting a nice paycheque to go along with it and then end up just hating ... I mean HATING... my job. And as a result, I'm stuck, because I am living a lifestyle that requires that kind of income and can't find something that will pay equivalent because the idea of working for less is too stressful. I don't want to ever be in that position, where I feel I am trapped. What kind of life is that? Is it life? or is it hell?

What do people do in this situation? Can you take a pay cut, maybe a significant pay cut, to be in a place where you actually LIKE your job, or even LOVE it?

Son, I'd like to introduce you to..............

This past weekend was one that marked history, at least in my family's books.

Mateo met his father for the first time, EVER! I admit that leading up to that unforgettable moment, I was extremely apprehensive, ready to call it off. But I think God had a different plan. A while ago I had come to accept the terms of single motherhood, thinking that my son would never meet his biological father and then also having the hope of getting married and having the traditional nuclear family.

But when my son's dad expressed interest in meeting him, I knew that our lives were going to change forever. My son has this charm about him that whomever he meets he captivates them, and surely enough that's what happened with his father. Hook..line... and sinker. Within a day of spending time with my son, his dad was in love! And rightly so.

Now seeing that we live in a different Province is going to prove itself difficult in visiting Mateo, but I believe that if this man really desires a relationship with his own blood, he'll have to make sacrifices.

I still have my dreams of having a FAMILY (husband and father) but I see now how much God has the reigns, and that gives me peace.

Aboriginal Awareness

This week was Aboriginal Awareness week that was started with National Aboriginal Day on Monday, the same day as the summer solstice.

I've been reflecting a lot on the history between Canada, as a people and as a government, and the aboriginals of this country. It has brought me to such sadness realizing the trauma, pain and anguish these people have experienced since the first European settlers came to this continent. And more so when they were forced into Residential Schools.

A few days ago, I was enthralled in a speech given by our Prime Minister 2 years ago. An apology to the aboriginal community, on behalf of Canadians and the Canadian government.

www.vimeo.com/8705019

I thought, FINALLY!! Finally the government is taking responsibility and finally these people can start their journey towards healing! It's amazing what an apology can do, the liberation of an entire community!

I don't think we as Canadians, as Albertan's pay enough attention to the First Nations, Inuit or Metis nor try to understand their way of life and the experiences they went through and yet how they as a people survived all of that! Such resiliency!

I got to go to Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump this week with my students and other teachers and students from our program and was enamored with the beauty in the traditions of the native community. Their dance, their mannerisms, their language, their music! I felt my heart leaping with such great joy, I felt honored to witness a small sample of their life.

So this week, though I felt alone in my thoughts and actions, I paid homage to this First People's.

May God bless the aboriginal communities throughout the world!

Home

I've been thinking a lot these past few weeks about home. Specifically daydreaming about buying a little house for my son and I to call OUR HOME. This is weird for me because I have never wanted to own a house....EVER. I have always dreaded the cost of owning a house, the mortgage, the property tax, then the money it takes to fix things when they break down. Homes area $$ guzzler.

So where are these urges coming from? I don't know if it's because I finally feel like I want to settle down in one place for a long time. Perhaps that's got something to do with becoming a parent.

So I've had the urge to look up what's for sale on MLS. The funny thing is, is I absolutely do not have the $$$ to buy a house. So am I crazy?

Or is this a prompting from God?

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight | Video on TED.com

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight | Video on TED.com