Finding My Joy in Doing
May 23, 2026 – I love guacamole… THE BEST!!
I started this blog post at the start of my day… and now, it’s the end of the day. Classic. I got motivated, then distracted. I say that, but there are so many things on the go, everything seems like they have to be done at once. Ironically, multitasking is a myth and today is Saturday. It’s “be a person day.” So, I can move along my day without any guilt. What will happen, will happen. If anything, I am so grateful that I got my recycling done today. Recycling has become a ritual on Saturdays. I live in a townhouse complex where we don’t get garbage pick up, or recycling. Honestly, I don’t mind. I took out the garbage when I needed to when I lived at the apartment, and had to go to the recycling depot then. And now, I’m still doing the same thing. I don’t mind. I kind of like it. Maybe it’s the routine. Maybe it’s the sorting. If anything, I feel a lot of satisfaction when my recycling bins are empty. I am also feeling a lot of joy sitting at my office desk in my bedroom that looks out the window. I love that it’s 10pm and there is still some light outside… almost like the sunset… lingering. It’s just beautiful. There are some clouds, some blue sky, and hints of orange too. It makes me so grateful to be where I am… and to be alive.
Wow. This blog post is taking an existential direction. I am filled with a lot of joy and gratitude. My kid is graduating from the School of Nursing with her BSN next week. Next week, she is also turning 23-years old. DAMN. Where does the time go? She’s a grown adult, and I am so grateful that we spent the last 5-years together in Prince George being roomies. I know that I’m her mom, but I feel that we had the opportunity to grow up together, be together, and support one another. I feel very lucky that I got to be with her during these formative years. She has accomplished so much, and by living together, I can support her with living expenses, schooling, and anything else she needs. I feel so fortunate that I could have supported her in this way. Otherwise, I don’t think we could have had the quality of life we had if she had lived and went to school somewhere else. Honestly, I am filled with gratitude. I mean hey, the photo above is a picture of guacamole from Earls. I needed to slow down my work week and end it with a good meal. With one text and invite, we are having dinner together. I love that. It’s a chance to connect with her, but also to wind down with her, a yummy dinner, and ice cream.
It’s been a busy week, much like the last few weeks, and I was reminded the other day when folks were coming over for a work meeting and dinner, that my mom would often say to me, “you always have to learn the hard way.” I get what she means. I am an experiential learner. I just can’t use common sense or reason to understand something about myself, others, or the environment… I have to experience it… maybe a few times over, before I really get something. Moreover, I am the worst risk-taker. I thought I was a risk-taker, or at least I wanted to be one, but really, my steps forward are tentative at best, and I am better walking forward with someone than alone. That’s something good to know and learn about myself, but damn, it can be very frustrating too. I can get caught in my own mind, overthink, and do nothing. That’s not fun. I had another aha this week when thinking about the fall and planning my courses. I was thinking about who could guest speak in my class, and the flow of the course. I realized that I choose the person or persons. The people I want to work with me and in my classroom are folks I have a relationship with, of whom I have a high regard for, and who are aligned to my thinking.
Whoa… can you believe it? I AM RELATIONAL. My leadership style is relational, transformative, and service-oriented. I don’t know why this is a surprise to me… but it is. However, if I look at my actions and think about what brings me joy in my work and personal life, that pretty much sums it up. I love service, I love people, and I love seeking or challenging people to take action. So, of course, I’m going to ask my kid to go out for dinner on a Friday night after a long day and week of work. Of course, I am going to order the food I love that makes me happy. And of course, we are going to end a yummy dinner by going to the local ice cream shop by the bowling alley to buy some “made in BC” ice cream from a young guy and support this local business. The ice cream is really good, and my kid likes it. Why not? We then went to Shopper Drug Mart to maximize on the points, then go home to rest and be with my cat. I can’t ask for anything more. What I do know is, my joy is in doing, trying things out, and making mistakes… but with people I trust and respect. I’ve been information gathering, wondering what my next steps might be. What I have realized, I am doing exactly what I need to be doing. Now that’s joy.