A World of Possibility

I just spent the last week as a Cluster Facilitator for Carolina's LeaderShape Institute, and can honestly say it was one of the best professional weeks I've had so far. I was so impressed by the LeaderShape curriculum and the students who gave up their spring break to be there. I went not knowing what to expect, and left feeling rejuvenated, reflective, and inspired.

Here's a picture of our Carolina LeaderShapers:

LeaderShape is all about leading with integrity, having a health disregard for the impossible and providing students the tools to create a vision for the future. The visions Carolina students had would indeed make the world a better place: eradication of domestic violence, a non-existent achievement gap, a waste-less society, etc. etc. etc.  Students were encouraged to believe in the world of possibility and to disrupt the status quo so they could bring about real change to the world, and I believe these students will be change makers.

Special shout out to my Cluster Family (The Honeybeyonces...don't ask...): Maria, Henry, Sarah P., Rachel, Diamond, Derek, Kristina, Nora, Sarah B. and Helen. These students were so inspiring to me, and I learned so much from them.

Another special shout out for my fellow faculty members - it was so wonderful getting to know these wonderful people! The photo below was taken on our faculty training day before we had even met all of our amazing students. Matching hoodies are the bomb, right?

But seriously, I know my LeaderShape experience will be one I reflect on for a long time. It's impossible to absorb the curriculum and knowledge learned from the students in just 6 days, but I've put together a working list of my lessons from LeaderShape:

1. It's ok to be vulnerable. This is how we truly connect with and learn from others.

2. In every breakdown, there's a breakthrough.

3. Sit in the front row of your life - don't let other people and circumstances drag you along. Take charge of your own direction.

4. When you mess up, focus on the positive things you've learned - saying "How fascinating!" can help you do this and bring a smile to your face :)

5. Leading with integrity means abiding by your core values at all times. It isn't always easy, but its necessary.

6. Change isn't an option.  It happens all the time, and as leaders with integrity, we should be the ones driving it.

7. People will surprise you if you give them a chance. Build connections and relationships with those around you so you can bring your vision to reality.There is value in one person, but power in many.
8. We judge ourselves by our noblest intentions and acts but we are judged by our last bad deed. Always remember that it is others' perceptions of us that an either hurt or help us along the way to achieving our visions. Are you the person you want to be perceived as?

I am so thankful for my LeaderShape experience and the possibility it introduced me to. We live in a world of possibility, so why not dream big?

Change in the Right Ways

"All he'd ever wanted was for nothing to change. Or for things to change only in the right ways..."

I'm currently in a book club that's reading "The Art of Fielding"by Chad Harbach.  Part of the story revolves around a baseball player named Henry.  Henry has always been amazingly good at short stop but as soon as the major leagues get interested in him, he starts doing badly and disliking the game in a way he never did before. As the narrator is describing this, he states the above about change.

How often is that the way I think about change?  It's something I say I like and I'm comfortable with, but do I really mean that? Or do I mean that I'm comfortable with change in the "right" ways?

Change is something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  How do I welcome it regardless of whether it's "right" or not? I know that the simple answer is "faith," but am I living that out? Do I welcome change or am I like Henry who wants for nothing to change?

Life is inevitably full of changes: in jobs, in location, in family structure, etc., and I want to be someone who can embrace and have faith through the "wrong" changes. I want to remember that I am not ultimately in control of what changes and doesn't, so regardless of the type of change, life goes on and it's a gift to be living it. If you really think about it that way, all change can happen in the "right" ways.

Sewing 101

One of the things I started this summer was a new hobby: sewing. My mom used to sew all kinds of clothes and costumes for us growing up, so I wanted to be able to follow in her footsteps. Michael gave me a sewing machine this past Christmas, so I figured it was time to break it in.

My first order of business was to take an intro class to learn how to use my machine. I decided to take said class at Joann's in Durham where I met three other lovely women and we learned all kinds of stuff. I was reminded that every hobby/field/interest has it's own special language when all kinds of new vocabulary words were introduced to me. Selvedge? Facing? Didn't know what those things were before my class, but I do now!

I learned how to turn my machine on (very important step), how to wind my bobbin and how to thread my needle - the basic steps to take before you can start sewing. After learning these things and feeling confident in my newfound knowledge, I then spent an hour roaming Joann's trying to find a pattern that looked easy enough and fabric that I would like.

Then I came home, super inspired.

And proceeded to let my sewing machine sit on my table for a few weeks....life happens, right?

Then one weekend I felt ready to start tackling my project of making a skirt. I started by cutting out my patterns and fabric.

This step took much longer than I anticipated, so my project sat in this state for another few weeks....again, life happens.

Once I got to the actual sewing stage, I had forgotten some of my lesson, which meant the sewing stage took a bit longer than it should have.  However, it wasn't too long until my skirt (with pockets!) had come together.

I felt so proud of my creation! My goal had been to make something I could wear in public, and I had actually done it. I now have a new skirt that I can wear to work (and I have):

I haven't made a whole lot of things in my life so far, so it was a nice feeling to know that I had made something from nothing. Well, not exactly nothing, but you get my point. This skirt that now hangs in my closet never existed until I made it, and that's pretty cool. And it hangs next to skirts that I bought which makes it feel more legit.

You might be thinking: "Wow, I bet Ellen has a ton of new skirts now." Not so much.  I completed this project in July and to date, it remains my only homemade garment. Life happens, right?

Celebration and Reflection

Good news and God's blessings fell on the Hearn household this week as Michael started a new job! He is now working for the Department of Housing and Residential Education at UNC - that's right, the same department as me!  We've been so blessed with our move to North Carolina in regard to so many things, but especially with our jobs. Our hopes in coming here were that Michael would start out with a part time job (which he started in July) and then eventually start working full time again (which happened this week).  We miss our friends and family back home, but this has really been a great starting place for our life together, and I'm so thankful for that.

Between the new job and other end-of-the-year happenings, this has been a very reflective week. My buddy Justin emailed me out of the blue last week and really made my day. He's the kind of person who tends to do that when you need it most even though he has no idea. He always has a lot of wisdom to share, and I was so appreciative of the advice he gave me. There are so many great people here at Carolina (Justin being an example), and I know I'll look back on my time here and be really grateful that I started my career here. In so many ways, coming here was a leap of faith and I'm thankful for the experience it's been so far and the provisions we've been given. There was a huge learning curve this year and there have certainly been ups and downs along the way, but overall I would say my first year has been a success. I can only hope I'll leave my mark on Carolina in the same way it leaves its mark on me.

Highs and Lows

I often have my staff members start our weekly meetings by sharing their highs and lows for the week. As I lie here tonight (not quite sleepy enough to sleep, but certainly tired), I cant help thinking that my week has been defined by highs and lows thus far.

My actual workload has been heavy but manageable as we approach closing the residence halls. High.

The other night, Michael and I encountered a handicap parking nightmare in which we learned the school won't tow anyone for 48 hours, even if they are parked illegally, and even knowing Michael uses a wheelchair and lives on campus. This was a day ruiner and left us really disappointed. Major low.

The President of the United States was on campus yesterday, clearly stating he was a Tar Heel fan. High.

A dear lady from First Baptist Lithia Springs named Roberta Quinn (or Mrs. Roberta as she's more widely known) passed away this week. High for Mrs. Roberta and Heaven. Low for those of us who love her here.

I got a beautiful new computer at an awesome discount. Super high.

I have a difficult situation at work that I'm trying to remain positive about but feel discouraged by. Low.

Michael and I had dental appointments today and no cavities. High.

I've had about 9 hours of after hours work-related obligations this week. Low.

I got to host a CD candidate for dinner tonight and reminisce about my job search and CSAA. High.

It's just been one of those weeks where Tuesday feels like it should be Friday and the highs are needed to deal with the lows.

I'm looking forward to a high on Sunday when I get a pedicure. I feel like I deserve it this week.

I Said Yes

Today marks two years since I said yes when Michael asked me to marry him.  With such a momentous occasion, I thought it would only be appropriate that I relive the memories of that day.

Michael and I had planned a trip to our favorite place in the world, Berry College.  I had an agenda set and people to see, because that's just how I roll.  We arrived at Berry in the morning, so naturally we went to the Office of Residence Life first thing.  We visited for a little while with those kind folks and then got a key to go get an up close look at the new residence halls, Morgan and Deerfield. After checking out those beautiful halls, we went to see Ms. Allie in admissions.  Michael and I had been dating for about 4 years, so I knew a proposal wasn't far away, but I distinctly remember telling Allie that Michael would not be proposing that day. He had let me plan it all out, so I really didn't think it would be happening.

It got to be lunch time and Michael asked what I wanted to eat. Naturally, I said McDonald's (A girl has to get her sweet tea fix every now and then). We got our McDonald's and headed up to the parking lot at the foot of the hill up at Frost Chapel.  The plan was to picnic.....until I saw the mower.  I was not about to eat outside with grass blowing around. So Michael and I had a car picnic - something we actually do a lot :).  A couple minutes later, Berry Elementary let out for recess, so added to the mowing noise were screaming children - it was great.

At some point (post cheeseburger), I looked over at Michael and he was holding the most beautiful engagement ring.

He said sweet things that I can't remember, asked me to marry him, and I said yes. It was the sweetest, most "us" proposal that could have happened.

Michael later told me that his original plans hadn't quite taken form.  He told me he had practiced getting down on one knee for our outdoor picnic - if that doesn't tug at your heartstrings, I don't know what will.

Of course, we had to return the key we borrowed from Residence Life which meant those folks were the very first people we saw post-engagement.  How fitting that residence life was somewhat involved in our engagement when it had definitely been involved in our meeting one another (I met Michael at my very first hall social - thanks, Susan!).

I later had to practically stalk Allie through Rome to share the good news with her, but it was worth it to see my buddy on that very special day.

A few months later on a very hot day in August, we had our engagement pictures shot at none other than Berry College.  Here are a few of my favorites:

I am so very thankful for Mr. Michael and the joy he brings me every day, and I will always be glad I said yes.

No Time Like the Present

Hello Everyone!

Time and again I said I was going to start a blog and time and again I did not...until now! I have several friends who blog and it makes me feel closer to them by having a sense of what's going on in their lives in a very unexpected way; I hope that my blog will offer the same experience to my family and friends. The internet offers great opportunities to maintain connectedness, and it's time that I jumped on board :).

My original intention was to begin a blog when Michael and I moved to North Carolina. I wanted to chronicle our first year of marriage, my first full time job, the experiences I've had at Carolina, and whatever else happened in between.  I may be a little late (....9 months or so....) to accomplish that, but there's no time like the present!

May you all have a wonderful Good Friday, remembering the immeasurable love God has for each of us.