Today I heard the quote, "You're either growing or dying, stagnation does not exist in the universe." I firmly believe in this. Have you ever noticed that there are points in your life where you were just riding along not seeking to better yourself, to grow, to learn, to LIVE? Then there comes some pivotal moment that spurs you into action and you think, what have I been doing this whole time? It may even be that its just in a certain areas of your life while other areas are progressing, you let that area die off.

Anyway, this quote really hit home with me especially with all the changes going on in my life right now, a new marriage, a new home, a baby on the way and big steps in my professional life as well. I think it is supremely important to constantly strive to grow and be the best version of yourself. Unfortunately, it seems that as we grow up we tend to lose that childlike wonder and curiosity for life. We stop dreaming. We take our circumstances as they are, and we move into reactive mode instead of proactive mode. The land of "if only's", as I recently heard the keynote speaker talk about at the Catalyst conference here in Muncie, becomes our permanent residence.

Where is this going? I'm just going to send this post out "into the void" (reference to my favorite movie You've Got Mail) as food for thought. I'm personally looking at it in the context of my life, and the growing I see going on there. I also see it happening here in Muncie - I've joined Muncie Young Professionals which is full of young leaders working to develop the city. There is a new gym that just opened up downtown across my office - makes you feel like a its a big city! So growth is happening here. Even our favorite restaurant, Savages has new logos painted on the windows!

What about you? Are you growing or dying?

Muncie

Since my last writing, life has changed dramatically. Only three years have past since being "re-patriated" in the United States after a lovely two and an half year hiatus traveling and studying leisurely. Once upon American soil, the whirlwind and hyper-drive life of the US caught me up and spun me from a job in Fort Wayne, into engagement to my now husband and left me planted in a home and job in Yorktown, IN.

Thus, I have found myself in the town to which I swore I would never return. Interestingly enough, traveling made me realise that any town can be interesting as long as you cultivate your curiosity and seek out what makes it interesting. Its much easier in a foreign setting where everything is new, but Muncie, IN is anything but foreign to me now - it's home.

It's unfortunate; however, Muncie has a terrible rapport with its inhabitants. No one seems to speak good words about the poor town, and in spite of efforts made to change its image, the feeling of resentment towards the town lingers. Personally, my thoughts tend toward a marketing view that if a new image could be invented and assumed as the truth it would catch on. This is where I am, looking to cultivate curiosity in the most Midwest American town, Muncie.

Saturday Morning in Fort Wayne

Today I felt like I was in a big city...maybe even a European city...in downtown Fort Wayne!!! We were heading downtown for the Art in the Park and saw the Barr Street Market and decided to stop on our way to. It was so lovely! They had fresh, local, organic produce and small, independent businesses, some jewelry and some food all under the bright red tent! I felt very urban as we walked around and got a Black Dog coffee from Madeleines Bakehouse. The BEST part was the jazz music, so we sat and sipped coffee, listened to jazz music and people watched - all on a Saturday morning in the good old Fort! I will totally be going back, for me big city refill soon!

As we moved on to the art booths, we walked up to one and right away I knew it was Paris, a view of the old houses along the Seine river. All of the paintings were parfait, I mean really truly the feel of Paris and I knew they had to have been painted in Paris right in front of each subject! So, I kind of listened as people stopped by and said how nice the paintings were and the artist totally had a French accent. When I asked him if the paintings were done in Paris, he said yes and asked "Vous parlez français ?" "OUI !" I replied...Alain Bathelot, was his name and were I not a recent graduate, I would have bought up a painting right away...but, he said he used to paint in Montmartre - my favorite part of Paris and where all the famous painters like Van Gogh and Monet used to gather! I was so delighted and surprised to be speaking French with a Parisian artist in Fort Wayne at the Three Rivers Festival - who knew?!