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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Embracing Rain

It's been a while since I've blogged. But tonight I have an anxious brain, so maybe this will help. And maybe I'll entertain someone who's also up later than they intended to be.

I hate rain. Lately though, my life feels like it has contained a lot of it--both literally and figuratively--and it might continue to do so. It feels like the last two months have been some of the worst and best of my life. I'm still healing. I would be being dishonest if I said I still wasn't experiencing a lot of hurt and sadness over my breakup with Nicole. I've always been someone who feels and loves intensely. I've had to learn a lot of things throughout this entire experience, some that I never wanted to, or never thought I would have to. There's a pretty sharp learning curve to suddenly going from being 1/2 of what you thought and hoped was a strong duo, to being single. It's been hard, but as a friend told me, the most important life lessons are both the hardest and easiest to learn.

There are definite silver linings, and some of that learning is easy and wonderful and new. There's something beautiful and redeeming in being so open and so vulnerable. I won't say there's beauty in being shattered. I was never shattered, even though I thought I was for a short time. I was just a bit bruised up. But even so, I am so happy and glad that I allowed my heart to be open, and if anything, it feels even more so now. I have never, ever regretted it. An open heart leaves you vulnerable to the worst that life can throw at you, but it also lets in the most amazing things--people, music, anything and everything incredible to experience. Lately I want to experience everything and connect with everyone. I want to form every thought and opinion straight from my own experiences. And, I want to jump into said experiences with openness. So far it has allowed me to connect with incredible people in ways I didn't let myself before. There's a weight and a great deal of meaning that comes with knowing that you are completely responsible and in control of your own life, and for me, that also comes with the incredible desire to be happy, content, and proud of who I am as a person and of how I connect with other people. Sticking with the honesty of this post, I do feel that way--more than ever before.

Back to the rain idea. There's a lot of built up desire and momentum in me, and there are a lot of dreams I not only want to chase, but want to actually catch. I feel drawn to Seattle for my grad work, even though I hate rain. I dunno, I just really want someplace big, and liberal, and full of amazing coffee and seafood. Oh, and an ocean. That sounds awfully nice as well. If Seattle doesn't happen, other possibilities include Portland, San Francisco, and Denver. I just need an adventure I think. I need hard work and late nights and city lights and to feel small and large at the same time.

More immediately, I am dead set on doing everything I can to go to Scotland in October. It's pretty much walking across Scotland for a week and sleeping at B&Bs. I just want that really long walk! I want to reach the end and be proud of that mental and physical accomplishment. I was told I would need a good pair of hiking boots and a high quality rain coat. Once again, I hate rain...or... hated rain. There are other things too--I kind of really want to take piano lessons on an impulse. I want to be on stage and act again, even if it's for a 10 minute scene. I want to have a psychology honors thesis next Spring. I want to hit the gym this summer. I want to present at MBLGTACC in Normal, Illinois in February. I want to say screw it and actually sing at a karaoke bar. And, maybe I want to drink a little too much one night while watching Golden Girls with incredible friends.

I want to live in a way that allows me to feel everything, but I don't want that to be a temporary desire I'm just feeling now as I'm 21 (soon to be 22). I want to live that way forever. I want to be open, accepting, and vulnerable to every heartache, every perfect song on the radio, every anxiety attack, and every moment of pure loving kindness.

I want to be able to embrace every single raindrop.

Live an epic life. I'm trying to.

-Megan