Waterfalls and Volcanoes

We ventured out on Day 2, May 22, to Lake Arenal to hone our skills and confidence in stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. As we traversed the beautiful volcanic lake,  we were challenged by our guides with a variety of team building activities to challenge our balance and further develop our camaraderie. We enjoyed lunch in La Fortuna, gathering strength for the volcano hike in the afternoon.

Guides accompanied us on our hike, providing in depth narration to the history of the area in relation to Arenal. In 1968, communities, lives and geography were destroyed and changed by the devastating eruption of Arenal. We hiked 4 km through volcanic paths to one of the summits created by the eruption, which rewarded us with breathtaking views of the volcano and lake.

The evening was set for conversation and self care.

Broken Zippers

This backpack. Wow, what it has seen. I bought it in 1997 to use on my first mission trip with young people.  We went to Juarez, Mexico. Filled with health forms, first aid kit, and necessary items for the trip, I remember clutching it tightly when our bus crossed the border into a world that was new to me. For 18 years it accompanied me and my youth on over 20 journeys . It had held up except for the main zipper had broken, causing that section to come open on its own. I threw it in my closet for memory sake. 

At that same time, I also hung up my mission trip work with church youth as I allowed a pastor to spiritually destroy me. In the last 4 years, I worked on ME. I believe everything happens for a reason and me stepping away from the structure of a church gave me the space to work on me through my faith. God had a plan. He always has a plan. I worked on myself physically (losing 40 pounds), I worked on my marriage. Not volunteering also allowed me to work on my career and discover my inner strength.

I was eager to go on this trip to Costa Rica and pulled out the backpack. I tried it out. Last thing I wanted was the zipper to fall open. The zipper isn’t broke any more. Read it again. The zipper isn’t broke anymore. Sure the zipper pull thingy is still broke, but the zipper holds up. It’s on a new adventure at my side. I once read a meme that stated even the broken crayons in a box can create beautiful masterpieces.

Take the broken pieces in your life to recreate what you need to. The masterpieces may look different than you had planned but will be beautiful.

I thank the youth that navigate my journeys with me. From the first mission trip, exploring the Boundary Waters without a guide, to new adventures I’m currently setting up.

Open Mind, Open Heart

So we are one day until I leave!  I'm so excited I know my family can't stand me! There is an exhilarating feeling when one is about to embark on an adventure.  Even a sense of nervousness.  Where will I be challenged? Who will I meet? How will I change?  What opportunities will be opened because of this trip?

I am traveling with 12 other women in the Outdoor Recreation work and have not met them more than on a few webinars.  We will support each other, learn from each other, hopefully laugh until we pee and cry until we are free, and be successful together.  I am nervous, I am ecstatic, I am going to be so tired!!  Yes!  I'll leave the house tomorrow morning at about 2 am.  The adventures starts tonight with packing and trying to get any amount of sleep I can.

My books are packed - Centered Leadership, by Joanna Barsch, Becoming Odyssa, by Jennifer Pharr Davis, and my writing journal.

I leave with my soul and mind open to all that is about to be encountered.  I am here and I am ready. 

The real work begins....

I am ten days away from this journey to Costa Rica and I've done hardly anything to prepare except gather things.  Books, readings, assignments, summer clothes, and a few sore muscles.  So I guess I've started, but disappointed in the lack of forward momentum of my intentions.  It's time to change that.
One of the books I'm trying to finish before the trip is Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis.  She describes in her 'in your face' writing that you need to stop telling yourself lies.  If it's important to you, then you'll find the time. If you don't, then what's the issue?!  How many times are you told yourself you're going to do something and by the end of the day have lied to yourself and your body? ALL. THE. TIME. What are you afraid of??  I'm afraid of many things!!
This leadership journey I'm embarking on is focused on centered and deviant leadership.  Ooooo.  I love that thought - being a deviant leader.  Kind of fits me.  The book, Centered Leadership, by Joanna Barsch, will provide much of our reading.  I've read the first chapter.  I don't want to go further. OK, yes, I do, but I'm afraid.  I'm afraid I will set out with these life-changing experiences and then lie to myself before I finish the journey. It's happened before.  WAIT.  I'll rephrase that sentence.  I have chosen to not finish the journey.  IT did not do it to me. The 5 dimensions of this centered leadership concept are Meaning, Framing, Connecting, Engaging, and Energizing.  And what does our amazing leaders of this trip do right from the start?? Make us dive deep into each of these and start reflecting!!  I'm ready!  Let's go there!
Last trip to Costa Rica in 2017 was also a leadership trip.  Each day I focused on a word of the day and reflected on it on Facebook.  I INTEND to do the same this time through this blog and with the 5 dimensions of centered leadership.
There's my intention.  Even as I write this, I am liberated and hope to bring others along with me on my journey.  Expect more from me!!

A New Journey Begins

I have been blessed by a position and organization that values professional development!  In 2017, I was able to be part of NELD (National Extension Leadership Development) Program and visited Costa Rica.  This opportunity has changed my life and helped me build my capacity in organizational and personal leadership.  I recently have been selected to be part of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Global University where we will have the chance to again go to Costa Rica!!  Join me on this journey on health, wellness and outdoor adventure through the lens of women in the industry!