Working Title

Apparently, I am a minor

Weirdest thing EVER. I went to post the new photo in the blog and on a public networking site..when I received the following email.

Dear A Duffy,

Thank you for your recent request to post a personal profile picture. Unfortunately, we at XXXXXXX are unable to post your photo. XXXXXXX website and its affiliates have a strict policy of not posting photos of minors. We believe that this policy is ethically responsible and reflects the values of our organization. If you would like to submit another photo for consideration, please select the link below.

Thank you,

XXXXXX

I was BLOWN away. The photo was taken on my 30th birthday. I took the photo of myself with the laptop camera. So either, A. I have great genes to look so young or B. people are blind.

Here's looking at you kid,

A

Fake Therapy and A One-Armed Paper Hanger

Wow! Can I just say WOW?

In the last four weeks, my life has taken a total shift. I feel like a lot has been rebirthed in me and I am so excited to get things started. I want to fill you in, but I kind of need to take you back a few weeks.

I finished Winter Semester the first week of May. I got out alive, and no worse for the wear. I am down to my last 21 hours. I will have 17 of them done by the end of the summer. The end is in sight, and it makes me want to run faster.

With the advent of a long and hard semester under my belt, sweet mom wanted to give me a change of pace. For those of you who know me, this means that I need to do something different, change the scenery. It doesn't always mean taking a nap.

We had a great time galloping through the wilderness of Hocking Hills. I love being outside at this time of the year, and I think nature does something good for the soul.

The following weekend, I took off to some old stomping grounds in Kentucky. What a weekend! I got to reconnect with Creech, whom I haven't seen in nine years. We took a road trip to Lousiville on Saturday, and had a great time. For some reason, new experiences always charge me up... I guess it's the explorer in me.

After all of this, I got a little time to process all the messages and interests that resurfaced.

So, I am paying off my student loans in a big hurry, saving capital, and planning.

First on my list is the bed and breakfast. This has been a long term dream from high school. I would like to use it as a family business that is not my primary job. This will allow me to either continue to see clients, or work in a school while running the business. AKA my one-armed paper hanger plan.

Speaking of school, we are busy doing fake therapy sessions. Enlightening, educational and awkward. It's awkward to take someone seriously when there are 50 people sitting around watching. It's difficult to have a conversation with someone, something that comes naturally, when everything about you and the cient is being observed and scrutinized. However awkward, I think there is wisdom is subjecting oneself to scrutiny. Although, I prefer to do that with people I trust, not the random shmoe in class.

But, such is life. And so, I will go through several more sessions, as both counselor and client, to prove my worth and effectiveness. I am looking forward to completing this as quickly and as efficiently as possible. It's time to move on to the next phase.

I am going full-tilt right now. I know that there is a lot of great things in front of me, and that there is a time to prepare. But oh, how I want to run full force at it.

Prayers for wisdom as things start to come together.

A

My Old Kentucky Home

I had a chance last weekend to make up for some lost time. Nine years to cover and makeup for  in just 40 hours. So, I started by taking a drive that I can almost do in my sleep... 71 to 275 to 75 to 68....Lexington bound.

The whole way down, I was thinking about how God has a funny sense of timing. I haven't been back to Lexington in 9 years, and I have certainly lost touch with everyone over the years. But, then the magic of Facebook happened... and I started reconnecting with people. God's timing? Oh yeah.

This weekend, I was headed to see Creech for her birthday. I think that might have been the original plan, but God reconnected us for the sake of encouraging each other through the places we are at right now. And, in a moment of clarity... I see that God has some big things in front of me in the next few years.

I am excited about it. I want to jump right in and get going, but timing is everything. So, if I can ask for some serious prayer for the next few months- I would really appreciate it. God is busy making things happen... and I am ready for whatever comes next.

Enough

"Take it to the limit, one more time." -Eagles Enough. A word in our language that either questions or criticizes. As in, "Did I do enough?" and , "If only you were smart enough." Enough. A word that is used intrapersonally and interpersonally. I have been struggling a lot with the word enough recently. And, as I begin to shift life tracks, this time I am praying to daily realize that God makes me just the right amount.

Patsy Clairty and SCC

Patsy Clairmont never disappoints. She is a really great storyteller. The take away gem from her is to practice the curb. The challenge is to take whatever life gives you and practice it until God's plan arrives. I admit that I am not always good at this. I always am either struggling with wanting to change the circumstance or getting out of it. Not becesarily willing to wait or work through it. I am sure that I am the only one who struggles with this?

Women of Truth - Women of Faith in Columbus, Ohio

For the first time ever, I made it to the opening sessions of Women of Faith. I never know what to expect. I go to a great church with awesome worship and great teaching. I am in a sharegroup. I got a corner on the "getting down with Jesus" grid. However, even an old dog can learn a new truck or two. As I have openly discussed before, I feel like there is some unnecessary baggage that I carry with me at times. I know that some of it is just stuff I pick up along the way. But I feel the need to understand why I pick it up. Why do I take ownership of things that aren't mine? Why do I waste myself and my time and my opportunity on things that are not even about me. And, then I heard Steven Arterburn speak. I know that I have some more boundary work to do. And, the best part is knowing that I am sharing this journey with others. Like I said, you never know what you can learn in a morning at Women of Faith.

A Matter of Perspective

I vividly recall my first trip to Washington D.C. At the age of eight. Maybe it was the opportunity to see landmarks and national monuments, or maybe it was the wretched summer heat that made the biggest impression. But, I like to think it was set that changed my world that summer. My mom used the opportunity to take my sister and I to the national gallery where they were showing an exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's Helga. But the real catch for me that day was Van Gogh's Starry Night. I remember being mesmerized by the color and by the magic. I believe that the night sky is more beautiful than even a Van Gogh. As a closet painter, I really love looking at things from a different perspective. It's interesting to look at a painting from the side. I like to the bevels and strokes of a painting. But life occasionally affords an opportunity to look at life from a different angle. I had one of those moments this week. Bol and Jok are two of the Sudanese Lost Boys. To listen to their presentation and look at Bol's amazing art work is surreal. The obstacles that both men have overcome make most lives look like a fairytale. I think that we all need a reminder that the power of the human spirit is able to overcome so much. It reminds me that no matter what happens, or how hard things seem to be, things are always better than they seem.

The Need for Speed

Last night I had a chance to see the new Fast and the Furious movie. Despite my irritation at paying so much for B grade acting, the movie has an upside - cars. I think that most people who know me would be surprised to know how much I love muscle cars. I don't like to study their stats or know what's under the hood. I just want to drive it - as fast as I can. If I had a secret wish I would go race cars. I asume I get this from my mom who has never driven the speed limit anywhere, but I digress. My uncle rebuilds cars as a hobby, and I am never interested until the car is finished. My younger brother is a complete gearhead, and the one I go to for my car repairs. But it's not just cars. I love jet skis and snowmobiles, crotch rockets and dirtbikes. It's all a blast. I blew an engine on a key ski a few years ago. But if they are built to go fast, shouldn't you see how fast they can go?

Wala Wala Washington

I have escape-itis so badly right now. It is clear that I am a flight not fight kind of gal. Whenever things get stressful, I have to escape to think. Sometimes I escape by running, but sometimes I literally take a trip. Today is one of those days when I would like to take a trip. Anyone up for a roadtrip to Washington?

La Vie En Publique

I am tortured by my lack of privacy, and yet much of that "lack" is my own doing.

Currently, I spend time online writing, "networking"/Facebooking, emailing, music, movies, and on it goes.

I use the internet to analyze and process everything from a client to a bank statement. And frankly, I am worn out with it.

I am not exaggerating when I say that a girl can't even have a reasonable makeout session, lest anyone make that public, too.

I think that's why I find such pleasure in the recent purchase of a classic, leatherbound journal. An opportunity to restart the writing process, to refocus, to potentially practice a product in private - rather than in public.

As I struggle through the issue of balance with public and private, work and personal...I think that maybe it could be helpful to try to keep a life en prive.