....

What are you doing right now in your life? Each day, what is your routine? Wake up, coffee, gym, work, home, dinner, bed, lather rinse repeat? Whatever it is, how do you know that this is the life you were called to live? The 9-5 grind, the frivolous day to day strive to play, or just the loafing into whatever the day gives. Each lifestyle represents with its repercussions, the parent who misses out on quality time with their children, the 20 something hopeful never reaching financial security, or the bum who just has a hard time getting off the couch. These routines need to be challenged to reach the goals we want to attain in our lives.

I'm finding more and more that this valley doesn't provide much opportunity for growth. It's a nestled little happy bubble in a security blanket that is our nation. The more I live here, the stronger I get physically, but intelligently weaker and weaker as the days roll by. Change is long past due, but hopefully the small steps I'm taking will open that door soon.

One life to live...

This saying was a common response to most comments during this evening's skin and ski on Arrowhead Mountain. "Karen, are those bindings going to work?"..."I'm not sure, but you only have one life to live!" Ok, using that saying in this context was more so a comedic relief than anything as I had no clue how to use my friend Kerry's AT set up. Thank goodness for patient friends who waited a good 15 minutes for me to stumble around trying to get it to work. I was so surprised on how light and efficient the equipment was. Besides the boots being a bit snug (a size and a half too small) it was quite comfortable. Not to mention how beautiful the night was. Throw in two good friends who can make me smile with just their presence, and it was a pretty spectacular evening.

Back to the theme of the night. "One life to live". Not only a name of an ABC Soap Opera, but also a great rebuttal to anyone questioning really anything you do in life.

Example: "Karen, why haven't you given any relationships a chance?" "Karen, when are you going to think seriously about your future?" "Karen, when are you going to slow down"

All of these questions are actually asked quite a bit, but when I think of it...I can and should just respond, "You know, I only have one life to live.....". I've chosen to live this life in an untraditional manner, and really would have it no other way. In doing so, I have probably learned more about people, life, and myself in the two reaching three years of living here than most of my friends back home who have chosen a more conventional path of college, marriage, career, babies, a boat, and a dog..maybe a white picket fence. To each their own, and I most definitely want that someday...but more so in the form of career that allows a lot of time to play, a family in the mountain type form, and I would just settle for a stocked garage in replacement of the white picket fence!

Most importantly, I have been taught that the goals we have in this "One life" we've been dealt are too precious to be settled for. Strive for the best. You deserve it.