The Starting Line

As a former track and field 'superstar', I know first-hand the dreaded anticipation of the starting blocks and the feeling in your gut before the gun fires.  There is a lot that goes into that nanosecond before the starter pistol clicks.  You must spend hours training your body and mind - it's these preparation skills that I have acquired along the way and must cultivate on my path.  I have trained my body by achieving my Bachelor's degree, working various jobs and building a skill-set and flashy resume.  Training my mind will always be a constant motion; staying positive and confident that I have something great to offer this world.  What that may be, it's up in the air for now!

Various Radical Considerations:

• WOOF International - this is an organization that places people to work on organic farms around the globe, offering free board and food in exchange for hard-labor hours.  Why does this appeal to me?  I have this idea that I want to eventually live off-the-grid someday and grow and farm my food.  At times where I find myself most vulnerable, I always seem to fantasize a life on a mountain, surrounded by trees, animals, lakes and a garden.  It's such a strong force, that I don't want to ignore it.  I don't consider my tiny apartment with four plants a starting point for this goal.
• GAP Adventures - these are organized, long-term, out of the country group trips.  I haven't seen the world, and have no previous experience traveling over-seas, so it scares me, but there is a solution that does appeal to me. I could drop some cash, hop on a plane and have a travel adventure with like-minded people and feel safe that I have a hotel booked and dirty bus to catch.  This would be my "Eat, Pray, Love" portion of the path to enlightenment, and who knows, I may never come back to my tiny apartment.  
• Backdoor Jobs - Short-Term Adventure Jobs - How about spending the summer in Alaska kayaking and hiking the great wilderness?  I found this website through a friend and considered it to be amazing.  I need to spend more time to see what they have to offer, but it's hard to initially contemplate moving to a farm on Vermont during the summer months and miss beach volleyball season in San Diego. 
• Volunteerism - I want to spend time giving back and being in a social environment to help others in need. I have checked the box for the San Diego Food Bank and next stop is an animal shelter.  Pets lift my spirits and that is what I need in my life right now.  
• Spiritual Path - As I re-read Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, I am trying to include meditation into my daily life.  I've committed to 20 minutes twice a day.  It's challenging, but uplifting and as my days grow more positive, I have to admit it's working.  I will also re-commit to my yoga practice and just keep moving.  I've been contemplating killing my television for some time now, and will incorporate more reading into my days, so I don't have the time to numb my brain on reality tv. 

I may be at the starting line now, but as time moves on, I will soon be flying around the corner and hitting the straight-away with my long strides and burning lungs, knowing that I finish first.

Books finished thus far....
The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides -- freakin' awesome!
The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard -- quick read and transcendental