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| Omni Grove Park Inn Asheville, North Carolina Wednesday-3/29/2019 |
I crest over the mountains of Tennessee. My hands start shaking. My mouth becomes dry. The knuckles on my fingers, white from their grip on the steering wheel, beg to be let loose. I can't. At least, not yet.
Welcome to the Thursday Thrive.
Each week, I invite my readers to share examples of moments in their lives when they feel themselves thriving, not just surviving. As educators, being overwhelmed feels like part of the job description. When one item moves from our to-do list, two more pop up.
You can choose your own definition of thrive. You can use examples from your personal life or your professional life. However you want to approach thriving is up to you.
The Journey Begins
For this first Thriving Thursday post, I wanted to share about my Spring Break triumph to Asheville, North Carolina.
As a child, I watched my mother shout her fear of the mountains. Intensely terrified of them, she would lay down in our backseat when driving over the hills to her hometown in Eastern Kentucky. I held her hand and tried to comfort her. It sometimes worked.
Because of her fear, we didn't travel much as a family. Then in the summer of 2000, we took a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the furthest my mother had ever been from our home and the only time she saw the ocean in person. I assumed my natural position in the backseat with her head resting in my lap once we crossed the Kentucky state line.
We left at night. We wanted to ensure that she wouldn't see the mountains of Tennessee or of North Carolina. I held her head and stroked her hair the entire time. She cried and swore she felt the car moving up and down the mountains. I still smile when I think about it.
We made it through the mountains and told my mom she could sit up to see the view from the window. She looked right and saw the glorious sunrise. My dad, my sister, and I looked left and saw a straight drop down. I still remember thinking, "Dear Lord, please let her keep looking right."
Luckily she did. We had the best vacation, and my mom conquered a lifelong fear. In that moment, I vowed to never let fear stand in my way. If I felt fear, I had two jobs. Embrace the fear. Move forward.
Embrace the Fear
About six months ago, I made the decision to visit my cousin in North Carolina over my Spring Break. I travel fairly regularly. I have been overseas twice, commuted to Chicago, been to South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, and countless other places. This time, I decided to drive.
Every time I travel, I feel a rush of adrenaline. This time, I was feeling fear. In all of my travels, I never drove extensively through the mountains. As the trip approached, I started thinking of all the reasons not to go.
Then something strange happened. I started thinking of that trip we took with my mother nearly 19 years ago. I began to realize something. Through helping her with her anxiety, I internalized her fear and made it my own. Time to move forward.
As Tuesday approached, I prepared for departure. I procrastinated as long as I could. I mentally prepared myself. I said goodbye to the Dynamic Duo, called my dad, and left my house. Typical travel until about Lexington, Kentucky. Then my mind started flashing to my mom.
Luckily, the radio provided distraction. I meditated. Perhaps I talked to myself to soothe the nerves.
In Knoxville, I called my cousin to update on my travels. Then I called my dad to do the same.
Back to the road. The mountains felt intimidating. Every possible scenario that could possibly play through my head did. When I found myself uncertain, I took a breath and distracted myself. I pulled out every technique in my arsenal. My favorite always has been listing immediate references to the senses.
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| Omni Grove Park Inn replica |
Move Forward
The trip was amazing. Then it was time to return home. It turns out my fear wasn't the mountains. My fear was and always has been the unknown.
I knew the roads as a passenger. Not as a driver. Once I drove the road once, I felt sure. I felt confident. Ironically as I approached Indiana, Google Maps took me a different direction. I felt incredibly uncomfortable until I saw my normal route home.
I made it home safe and sound to the loving bays of the Dynamic Duo. I called my dad to let him know I was home. I texted my cousin. Finally, I sank with relief into my couch, preparing for my next adventure.
What about you? What ways have you thrived this week?
I'm going to revisit last week because I'm NOT thriving this week as it is our first week back after two weeks of spring break. Last week, my husband and I took our three children to St. Louis for a few days of family fun. Initially, I was dreading it because I loathe riding in a vehicle for any real length of time, especially with a 4, 6, and 8 year old who need everything and nothing at the same time. With that said, the few days we spent there were a welcome change to the busy lives we lead on a day-to-day basis. We enjoyed the City Museum, the St. Louis Zoo, and the St. Louis Arch. It was no beach vacation this time, but it was wonderful memories made with my husband and kids.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful trip. I have to say I am a tad jealous that you had two weeks off. However, I also understand the lack of thriving after such a long break. What was your favorite part of your St. Louis trip?
DeleteThis is a great blog!!! I enjoyed reading about your adventures and how you've thrived, so I'll share some of my adventures with my husband! We have been married 28 years, and throughout most of the last 10 years, we have searched for his biological family (he promised his adopted parents that he wouldn't search while they were still living). We have been through "mountains" of our own because even though we found his biological mom, she wanted nothing to do with him. Fear of the unknown has always played on him, so this was a real setback. However, we got a hit recently on Ancestry which led us to a North Carolina family that greeted my husband with open arms. His biological mom never told his biological dad that he had a son, so unfortunately, he passed away without ever knowing my husband existed. However, his dad had four children (my husband's half-siblings), and they have embraced my husband and our family as if we have always been a part of their family. Watching my husband thrive with his siblings has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. :)
ReplyDeleteLynn,
DeleteThank you for the compliment about the blog. And thank you for sharing your Thursday Thrive. Such a lovely story with a heartwarming beginning to a new journey for you and your husband. The best part about the "mountains" continues to be the glorious views when you are on top of them. I am so happy for you and your husband. I wish you all the best, and please continue to post to the Thursday Thrive. I can't wait to hear more of the story.