Emotional Needs

Your intellect may be confused,

but your emotions will never lie to you. ~ Roger Ebert

Hello - remember me? I used to blog at least a couple of times a week. My goodness, life has felt very out of control since I last wrote anything. I didn't have time to post my Friday Five (which was going to be about mothers.) I feel like I've barely had time to catch my breath. I realized late yesterday afternoon that I need to take control again and slow things down. I don't like feeling this frenzied!

But when I have had a moment to think, I've been doing some important internal work that I'd like to share. Some of you will remember that I was waiting to hear about a job I very much wanted, as the volunteer coordinator at our library. Well, I didn't get it. I was ok at first, but as the days went on, I grew increasing sad about it. And I began to wonder why. I've certainly been turned down for jobs in the past: why was this one getting to me? Hence, the soul-searching.

I realized that I was looking forward to working again for the following reasons:

1. To be part of something bigger than my little world of homemaking, quilting, gardening, etc.

2. To work for a "cause." With a few brief exceptions, I've always worked in the non-profit sector, and the more purpose-driven the organization, the better I liked it.

3. More social interaction with like-minded people.


I've spent time over this past week, thinking of ways I can get these same needs met without going back to work full time. I've committed to some activities that I believe will help:


1. I've agreed to serve as chair of the Education Foundation Committee for our local branch of the American Association of University Women. I've been a member for a couple of years now, taking part in the various personal interest groups like the Daytime Literature group and the Good Health group (which I lead.) But this responsibility will get me more involved with the mission of AAUW, which is advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. There's a good cause if ever there was one! (Find out more at their website: AAUW.)

2. I start training at the end of this month to become a literacy tutor for adults. I've always had tremendous respect and admiration for those adults who can stand up and say that they don't know how to read, and want to learn. I look forward to introducing motivated individuals to the world of reading street signs, newspapers, books, etc. Again, what a great cause!

3. I'm joining one of our local quilt guilds tomorrow. It will be great to meet other woman (and men) who are as passionate about this hobby as I am. The group I'm joining offers opportunities to participate in charity quilting, as well. We'll see: it might be fun just to ooh and ahh over the work the more experienced quilters produce.

And you want to hear what a small world it is? There's a wonderful quilting blog I love to read called Needled Mom. Turns out Mary lives right here in my county, just miles from my house! We're hoping to meet in person tomorrow at the guild meeting.


So, there's my plan for meeting my current emotional needs. I'm hoping that by getting that part of my life in order, I can pay more attention to my physical needs, as well. But that's a subject for a different day!

[As an aside... you may have noticed that I've posted a new photo of myself. The previous photo was taken a few years ago, when I was at my Weight Watcher thinnest. I hated using it here, since I gained the weight back, but I didn't have a more current photo -- until yesterday. That's me as I am today: overweight but loving life and laughing as often as possible!]

How about you? What are you doing to make sure your emotional needs are being met?


Until next time...