When does the "New" Begin?

Can it be only three days back in town and I am already bored? I'm not really bored -- life is far too confusing for that to ever happen, but I am tired of the projects which I find myself doing.

I've been scrapbooking some old memories...boxes of them. At times this has been hilarious, and I only have 1989-91 left to go...but now I am finding it tedious.

I just finished reading all the old magazines laying around my house while I was on the plane from Austin. I cleaned out my craft closet and finished up a bunch of 1/2 done projects. And, I finished a bunch of books that were on my shelf. I'm happy these things are done and not taking up space, but my life is not significantly improved or changed by these accomplishments. One thing I've learned by going through these memories, is that I feel like I am scrapbooking someone else's accomplishments. I am simply not this person anymore.

I've been thinking about sabbatical as getting "caught up" and being "refreshed". I'm just wondering how long getting mythically "caught up" will take? I would have thought 2 months would do it...

So, that's it. After this weekend...no more "catching up". Staring next week, I am going to throw away the old things that are not finished, so that I can turn my focus to new things -- like school, using my new heart rate monitor, learning Arabic, reading new books, taking a modern dance class, and learning how to paint. Just typing those things brings a smile to my face.

I have discovered a lot of things about myself through learning new things and taking them into my life -- like ministry, biking, skiing, and water coloring. Maybe in another 20 years my life now will be unrecognizable because I will continually be learning new things and discovering more of who I am.

So, Onward and Upward!