Since my last post, I have been inside my head really thinking about how I want to reprogram my life. One thing for sure is that it will contain more friends and family time. It was a good few weeks since my last post. Let me fill ya in on what is going on and a few quotes that have really challenged me.

BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SUCK AT SOMETHING NEW

A few of my close friends and I have quite an active group text where we share what’s going on in our lives, challenge one another, poke fun at each other and most recently, share quotes. This quote came across my feed in Linked In of all places. For me personally, this is a true challenge, at least in my personal life. While I often like to think of myself as someone open to new things, the reality is do I actually try new things or do I simply appreciate them for what they are?

I spent my entire career learning new things. Over my 25+ year career in the bicycle industry I worked and led in customer service, sales, purchasing, program management, product management, brand marketing, supply chain, and product development. Obviously, I was exposed to a lot of things and learned an infinite number of new things during that time. But what about in my personal life? Am I afraid of not being the best and what is that holding me back from? Am I learning and trying enough new things?

It is with that in mind that I took a course in industrial sewing from The Brown Buffalo in Costa Mesa, California. Here is the link to the standard courses. I ended up being the only student and we ended up sorta doing a custom class. It was truly an amazing experience and I am forever indebted to Doug (owner) and Marc (teacher).

I can honestly say that I took that quote to heart. While I grew up with sewing, it has been a LONG time since I actually put a needle & thread through fabric. The simple act of admitting I was a total beginner, trusting others to guide and lead and completing this course has rocked my world and opened my eyes. Few things in recent times have given me so much internal fodder for thinking. It was so fun and even if I decide to not pursue sewing in any way, I left knowing two things; I love making things with my own hands and I love learning. As I reprogram and think about my future, if whatever I pursue doesn’t involve those two things, at least for now, I think I will be unhappy.

So with that out of the way, let me jump to friends and family. As I continue on this theme of reprograming my brain and being intentional about my future, it is also clear how important friends and family are. This past month has been filled with both and culminated with a trip to Colorado for my mom’s birthday, a mini reunion with my brothers and sister and lots of visits with friends. I read something today that when you get old, lose the focus on advancement of career, send kids off to college and seek meaning in your life and next phase of your life, that friends and family are the pillars of stability.

So here are some pics from the past few weeks. Hope you enjoy. As always, click on any of the images to go to a slideshow mode and see them bigger!

And with that I am going to leave you with one more quote that I have been focused on as I move forward.

I am in competition with no one.

I run my own race.

I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone, in any way, shape or form.

I just aim to improve, to be better than I was before.

That’s me and I’m free.