Launching

To Launch-

            To get going, initiate

            To begin a new adventure or phase, embark

            To enter enthusiastically into something, plunge

2016 ended with a mixture of joy and sorrow, new adventure and loss, detours and confusion, endings and hoped for new opportunities.

It was a year of profound loss and pockets of unexpected joy. And it was a time of thinking I might be done, done in the sense of personal accomplishment.  It was also a time of trial and tribulation.  Before the year ended, it was clear I needed to examine the effects of events of the year, and also to see how I might fill in what I saw as empty calendar squares ahead for 2017.

So began the work of understanding and discovery of myself.  So began the launching of my new path.

I sought and found someone to guide me, even lead me at times, to help me make sense of my fears and of my hopes. Someone to journal-journey with me. A best friend pointed out how the loss-experiences I had in recent years (including being rescued in a flood) had literally "flooded" me toward much needed help.  She called it "redemption."

I put myself forth in leadership roles in my parish and my diocese.  Each offer was accepted.  I've already found unexpected connections in one ministry, and challenging opportunity in another.

Where travel was disrupted, I stumbled a bit, then saw the promise of renewed adventure for this new year.

I'm preparing to launch.