Olympic Crossroads

I love the Olympics, every 4 (now really 2) years there was the big international spectacle of global unity mixed with competition to watch and enjoy. Always some inspiring story and great feat of physical achievement to view and remember. A event meant to bring hope and peace into an often tense and dangerous world.

I realized last night that 4 years ago when the Athens Summer Games opening ceremonies were on TV, I was busy assembling IKEA furniture in my new apartment. I had just made the big move after Grad School down to the burbs of DC. I was about to start a new job, freaking out after the whole move process as I tried to get organized and adjusted... In general it felt like a major crossroads in my life. I didn't feel confident in myself, I hated the idea of my new job, but wanted to pay the bills and the crossroads made me very uneasy. However, the path I was treading wasn't all bad, just not as direct or clear as I would have liked. Lots of opportunities came and went and adventures were had, but it was so very strange. Now, 4 years later, it's a bit of history repeating itself.

The Olympics will start this evening and before they are over my life will have changed again. After a few months of crazy and the last four years spent trying to be an adult and building towards the better job and life choices, things are finally falling into place. Before the end of the month I will be moving again, this time into DC to be closer to friends and more connected to life, work and in general a better place for me right now. I'm in the final stages of being employed again, this time in a job that fits my interests and education, a first since moving to DC. I'm 29 and it feels like I'm finally entering adulthood. This time my crossroads doesn't seem so scary and awful. No matter what I'm heading in a better direction. I've learned and grown in the last few years and I finally feel like my life is getting itself ordered and on the right track. My confidence is back and after weathering this phase of upheaval and unemployment, I feel stronger and better than I have in years. Physically, I'm better and making my health and physique a priority so that I can build the long life full of vitality and strength that I want for myself. 30 will be here before I know it, and even that doesn't scare me because it's a number I can't avoid and it will be wonderful too, so long as I make it that way!

Tomorrow I will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and do it with a smile. It's a nice bookend, the Olympics were a backdrop when I first started my DC adventure and now they will mark the next phase of the journey. This phase will be even more exciting than the last. Even with a world full of uncertainty I feel hopeful. There may be war and pain in the world, but there is also peace and unity, so I'll focus on those happier ideals as the fuel for the hope I need to keep moving forward. So hope, don't fail me now because there is still a lot to do and I need you more than ever!