Tag: A New Adventure

Virginia, Here I Come

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say yes to new adventures, elaina avalos

I am excited to say that after a long stretch of searching for, applying, and interviewing for various positions, I have finally accepted a job offer and will be moving to Virginia in May. I am super pumped to move back to an area I love and for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.

But the next month (my last day at my current job is just under a month away) will be wildly busy. I’m headed to California this weekend and by the time I head back here, I’ll have to finish my turnover, find a house (a state away) on the weekends, and pack up my house for a move. Phew. It’s a lot. I’m a little verklempt.

I’m keeping my eye on the prize though. I cannot wait to be back in a place that I have loved so much (I lived there before – about 1.5 years in total). I will try not to overindulge on posts about our Nation’s Capital being close, how much I love the Virginia countryside, or the sheer number of amazing restaurants at my fingertips (haha). I will also try to control myself the first time I go to Eastern Market on a weekend again. 🙂 I am truly honored to have the opportunity I’ve been given, professionally. But it’s also a personal gift and one I’m excited to be embarking on.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

– Helen Keller

New Adventures?

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The probability is high that I’ll be moving out of the Carolinas in the near future. As the chances increase that I’ll be preparing for a move, it’s easy for me, a person who likes change, to feel the excitement that comes with a new place and new opportunities. Especially when it’s somewhere I’ve loved living in the past.

But there’s also the easily accessible fear and doubt that comes from change. We are weird creatures – even if we love change (which I do). I love adventures. I am good with doing the unexpected (see last post), or the things society least expects. I like to do and try new things. I ain’t scurred. 🙂 But when life knocks you around in ways you least expect, it’s easy to forget your once bold spirit, (that usually isn’t afraid to walk into rooms supposedly not meant for you).

If you’re anything like me and nearing change, but find yourself tempted to ruminate on all the hard parts that come with it, let me challenge you to think about all of the ways that it can or will work out. Put your focus on the positives and the way change can stretch and grow you and and positively impact your life and future.

If you believe it will work out , you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t you will see obstacles.

Wayne Dyer

Even when specific opportunities change in front of your eyes and things don’t work out quite like you planned, change is not inherently bad. Seasons change and bring with them beautiful and gifts. Even if things don’t work out, this time is a reminder of the opportunity that comes with change. The opportunity, however, lies in our openness and focus on what will or can work out, and the good lies ahead. If we’re focused on what we fear, what might not work out, or what we could lose – we certainly will face a negative future.

My #oneword365 for 2023 is fearless. I’m 100% certain there was a reason I knew that was my word for the year. What’s your “word” for 2023? Do you find it popping up in your life so far in 2023? I can’t wait to see what the coming months hold for me and my friends reading.

What Lies Around the Bend

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john-towner-3Kv48NS4WUU-unsplash, L.M. Montgomery, Elaina Avalos

“I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

It’s a different kind of Monday Motivation for me, today. I have had most of the day off (worked a little this morning) and I’ve spent the weekend working on, planning for, and thinking about the future (what’s around the bend in the road). Somehow, though I certainly know how I’d like things to go, I’m very much at peace with what lies around the bend.

I’m looking forward to it – though I honestly don’t know exactly what I will find. I am looking forward to a trip out of town next week, as I continue to plan for and think about the future. But no matter what, I’m at peace with what is and what is coming my way. That’s an awesome feeling.

So . . . on that note, what are you looking forward to this week or in the coming months? If the answer is “I don’t know,” I hope you’ll find some motivation in the hope of a new adventure – even if you don’t know what that is.