A long and winding road…
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Well buddies. This is gonna be a long one?So I apologize in advance, but man?I have a ton of things to say!
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First, I apologize for being MIA for a few days?I had some big news I wanted to share, but I had to wait till I told those in my immediate circle?I certainly didn?t want them reading it on the internet first! UGH!
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So. If you will remember, back in December/January, I listed for Miss Jo, as part of her Roadmaps/Goals for 2007, THREE things?
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To get my life (ME) back in order-This is done! Truly! My mental state is better then it?s been in months. My marriage after taking the beating of a lifetime in the Fall, and then a small hit again this Spring with Steve?s health concerns, well, even with that, its honestly stronger then its been in years. We have become more open and honest with each other, we talk all the time now, and really, we truly are a partnership now as opposed to me doing my own thing and he his?
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Mentally, I was able to shed some baggage. Let go of some errors in judgment I had made and I was able to embrace the life I have been given! I have found the strength to let go of a lot of my own personal hang ups with me, my weight, my relationships, etc?And I feel GREAT about me, my life, and where I will be this year?It?s a good good feeling?
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To find a job I was passionate about- Well, I am very pleased to announce that I have been given the opportunity of MY lifetime. I have been offered a new job which will start the first week of June. This job is in an area that I adore. In a new venture for an established company. I will be one of the founding members of the Human Resources crew, and will HOPEFULLY then grow with the company?And the best part??? A large large salary increase!
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Buddies?It has been a tough Spring for Steve and I financially. We made some pretty stupid mistakes, and have been trying very hard to correct them?He had even started a second job to help us?Now he will not need too. The lord truly does work in wondrous ways?
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What I am trying to convey, I guess, and to just give you a bit of background here, is that buddies, I do NOT have a college degree?Most of my early career was in food service. I waited tables for 10 years before I tried to enter corporate America. I am self taught. And in the last 8 years, I have moved myself right on up the corporate ladder so to speak?I don?t mean to toot my own horn, but, I gotta say, I am very very happy and feel incredibly blessed that people continually decided to take chances on me?Even without a degree?I will now be making more money then I have ever seen in my lifetime. Honest. WOW?Little old me?A former welfare kid?It?s very humbling?
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So those are two of the three things I wanted done this year?And it?s only mid May?WOW?Can?t wait to see how the rest of the year plays out!
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And the final thing?? Weightloss, of course?To reach goal this year?Well, in all honesty buddies, the weight loss has taken a back seat this week as I went to interviews, made phone calls, had celebratory lunches, etc?It didn?t fall off my radar, it just became less important?Temporarily?I have committed to get on track FIRMLY come Sunday. And I know I will be fine?
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See. Here?s the thing?I am really not sweating this goal any more?I really know I am getting there and I will continue to get there. It?s not a race and I don?t need to compete with any one or against any thing?
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As Scott once said, you don?t reach goal and stop?There is no ticker tape parade, or balloons released when you get there?So what?!?! You reach a certain number on the scale?And then you still have to keep working?
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I know I will work on this for the rest of my life?So I am no longer even sure what my ?Goal? is?I don?t want to say 150. Or 135. I want to be happy and healthy?And well, right now at 178, I AM. I just had a complete physical last week. Got my results back. EVERYTHING?My sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc?All of it was normal?
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And happy? You bet I am. I like my body. Even if it is still fat?I like it. I am having fun with life again, and not letting weight hold me back?
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And isn?t that what it?s all about???
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So, I will get goal number three done this year?I will. I know that by determination and stubbornness alone, I will get there?It may not be the number I first thought, but I know in my heart at some point this year, I will reach that spot and say ?This is good for me?.
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So I am not stopping by any means?Buddies, do not be alarmed?
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But as this next, new, exiting chapter of my life starts, I plan to enjoy it too! I have learned the hard way this year to enjoy each phase of your life, for all to quickly, it?s over, and the next one is shoved on you?And you spend a lot of time looking back saying ?If only I had done this? or ?I wish I would have done that one more time??Well. Not me. No longer?
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Each moment is precious. Each life phase is important and necessary for our growth. I truly believe that. There is a reason for everything, even if I can?t see it?
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It?s the journey, friends?It is NOT the destination. I believe that with all my heart now?
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Take care and stay healthy!!!
I’m very happy for you!!!
Congrats on your new job!!!
WAY To go on knowing exactly what you want with your life.
NOT very many of us ever see that clear of a picture…
I am so glad you are happy and really that is all that matters. Enjoy life.
Wonderful things happening to wonderful people… that’s what I like to see! Congratulations! You deserve it, every bit of it!
God is good. He DOES work in mysterious ways. I firmly believe that what we put out into the universe comes back to us. You have stuck with this weight loss goal and have put out positive vibes while doing it. Look at you. You have lost over 60 lbs. No wonder all of the other positive things are happening. You are putting the feeling into the universe that you are worthwhile. And the universe is responding.
Good for you, Dawnie!
Tammy
Congrats!!!! How awesome!!
My thoughts were just about identical to Tammy’s. Really not much more to say than that because she said it so well. So very proud of you and happy for you!
—Valerie
What an inspiration you are, congratulations on all of your wonderful news. As they say, good things happen to good people and you should be proud of yourself for becoming a master of your own destiny.
I guess it true…age does bring wisdom. You old fart you!
I just love it when you get profound and deep Dawnie, and I am very proud of you.
CONGRATULATIONS Dawnie. We are sharing such a similar experience and having such similar
moments. Everything you said here sounds so true to me and I also agree with Tammy’s thoughts. During my last couple months of craziness, I had some other strange things happen in my life that were completely unexpected but yet, why they were happening made such sense to me. As our wise buddy Erika said to me, “The universe is a well oiled machine with impecable timing.” So ENJOY!!! 
First of all Congrats for finally listening to me about something!!!
Seriously this was the thing you need congrats on most!! But I’ll also throw one in for that wonderful new job opportunity!! I do think it is perfect for you by the way!! I know you’ll get that last goal done this year too!! Way to go Dawn!! Way to go!!
You are the BOMB, Gurrrrllll!
Aiiigghhhtt! Mark
So happy for you Dawnie! Good things come to good people! This year is shining on you! Look in that mirror every morning and see all that is beautiful in you, you are a beautiful person! Congratulations on all your success!!
I am SO happy for you! Way to go!!
Hi Dawnie, congratulations girl. You deserve all the good things that are happening to you. Girl forget the college degree, as long you have the potential and can apply yourself you’ll succeed. You’ve done well, I am so happy for you.
What an accomplishment! Congrats!!!!
You so freaking ROCK Dawnie!!
I’m soooooo happy for you. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you are such an inspiration!!! I do hope you’ll still blog when you’re rich and thin!!! How about flying all of us out for another 80’s party? he he
I’m so happy for you Dawnie………..you deserve every bit of happiness that you’re receiving.
Congratulations Dawnie! You deserve all the good things that are happening to you. Way to go girl!