Met Chantell in Santee. She was the absolute best manager ever!
I cannot believe my Sabbatical is coming to a close. What a whirlwind and wonderful journey it has been. Interestingly, I wasn’t certain, if I should take my Sabbatical in July. I wrestled with whether to change the date to later in the year. I’d only started as a Select Producer in April, and I felt I was just gaining some traction. I am so grateful, however, I stayed the course. This Sabbatical was so necessary and timely.
I didn’t realize how much heaviness I carried out of 2016 into this new year. From my daughter Biancha’s illness and surgery; my daughter’s high risk pregnancy and subsequent early delivery of precious Ezra, and other family matters. I carried quite a bit into 2017. I was drained and running on fumes.
What a Blessings to slow down. Clear the chatter in my mind, catch my breath, and laugh at myself. It took seven days to get into the flow of sabbatical life. I was working too hard trying to figure out what to do and how to do it, which brings me to. I learned a lot about myself over these few weeks. Some of these things I knew. Other areas became more glaring as the days and weeks progressed.
Below are a 21 things I learned while on Sabbatical. They are in no necessary order. When I wrote some of them, I laughed. Others, I studied with hopes of creating some change. There were still others, which seemed ‘negative’ and yet sometimes being selfish is necessary.
The water is my friend. Unless it’s over my head!
What I Learned About Me On Sabbatical:
- I am absolutely a metropolitan girl who appreciates the water. I love being near and close to the city. I love amenities when I travel.
- I will never go camping, and I am OK with that.
- If there are beware of alligators and snake signs I am on the wrong trip and probably wrong people. But I survived, haha.
As beautiful as the sunrise was…There were alligators below. Serene didn’t go there!
- I am an ambivert. With strong learning toward introvert. I really appreciate my alone and down time.
- I am an absolute control freak! I’d rather drive, tell you how to drive, or fly the plane myself.
- I seldom change my mind. If I tell you, ‘I am not jumping out the plane or zip lining, there’s no need to ask me more than once.’ If we were meant to fly GOD would have given us wings. We are human beings not angels. But I am really OK, if you want too try it.
- I don’t like sharing my food. Unless I offer it to you. Not certain I’ll get over this one. Order your own, and pray for me!
- I feel comfortable and at home in most churches. I’ve yet to feel like a stranger when entering a new church. I’ve really enjoyed the churches I’ve visited on Sabbatical.
- Social injustice makes me compassionate and angry.
- I do not understand for the life of me why we need Confederate symbols adorning our cities. It is hurtful to Black Americans.
- I do not understand why this country has never apologize for slavery?
- As a rule, I don’t really engage ‘strangers’. It’s a city thing. I can now live without. I am going to make it a practice to speak to, engage, and acknowledge others.
- I don’t make friends quickly.
- I don’t trust easily.
Streets of Charleston. Even the NE Patriots fan was cool. Sigh lol!
- I am grumpy when I don’t get enough sleep.
- I can be very selfish.
- I am capable of living with and making peace with things and people I do not necessarily like.
- Life without Martini’s is like a subprime loan.
- I actually like MLB. Who knew?
- I need more vacations and get-a-ways in my life. Even small weekend trips will be necessary.
- Life without Martini’s is like a subprime loan. Oh…I said that already!
Low country hospitality and beautiful people!
My first MLB game. Cubs and the Braves!
All in all…I am grateful for GOD’s grace and mercy over my life and this journey. My GOD who knows all about these things on my list and then some. I have had some wonderful conversations. Learned a lot about myself. Met some beautiful people who accepted me for me while on Sabbatical. I feel a little lighter, hopeful, and creative. Thank you for the opportunity to disconnect Kris and FDLIC.