My husband recently approached me about the two of us collaborating on some writing. I love to write and thought that the idea sounded spectacular, so he asked me what I was an expert on....Um expert??? I can unload a dishwasher in exactly one minute, I know how to clean urine off a mattress, I make mean squash soup, the list really goes on and on.
I have a bachelor of Science in Education and taught fourth grade for four years
I have taught group fitness for almost fifteen years and have done some personal training off and on for the last four years.
When my oldest daughter was born we made the decision that I would be a full time, stay at home mom. With all my heart I believe this has been the best decision that we have made. Having three children in four years took up a lot of time, energy, money, and sleep. Not to mention that fact that my hard working husband has worked a lot of crazy hours supporting this family while building his career. However, make no mistake about it, sacrifices were made to be home with my clan. Financially, emotionally, and professionally.
I suppose I had a bit of an idealized version of what my life would look like before I plunged into the mom world. I have a burning desire to get my masters in counseling and would love to combine my love of fitness and health with helping people understand themselves. Over the years I have looked at masters programs, asked questions of the experts, and even took one graduate class online. I know that I have the capacity and the drive to get it done, maybe just not right now.
We all make sacrifices. I'm sure all of us have heard the saying, "You can have it all, just not all at the same time." Maybe, but perhapse the sacrifices we make sometimes have a lasting effect, maybe I will never have the career of my dreams. Maybe I will, who knows? I don't want to be one of those people who think that I am always making the right decisions and am happy with every decision I have made. A wise woman (my momma) once said, "I used to think that I lived a life without regret, but now I see that if I could go back and change a few things I would. But I did the best that I could."
There is a part of me that misses the respect and professionalism that comes with a strong career, the part of me that wants a reason to wear heels on a Tuesday. I'm not going to brush that part of me aside and ignore her. Instead I will listen and empathize with the career woman within me; tell her I am doing the best I can at this moment, put on a pair of heels and head to the park.
What about you?
