Tuesday, July 1, 2008

ob la dee ob la dah

Life goes on.

It is said that the mythical bird, the phoenix, builds a nest in its old age and bursts into flames only to be reborn as a strong, youthful, new and improved version of itself.

I have never related to that age-old legend. Until now.

I quit.

I quit the entire life I have built here in Chicago. The job, the friends, the family, the drinking, the late nights, the drama, the piles of cash... gone.

I don't know what will come on the other side of this change but I do know I have never been prouder of my accomplishment. Graduating magna cum laude from UCSD with an honors in Psych is nothing compared to the times that test your true character. To overcome this next phase will surely be nothing short of heroic. The sacrifice it takes to be a married woman is a beautiful thing and I forgot the point.

In fact, I live my life in an entirely new kind of "crotch." Not that 6-way intersection filled with hipsters gracefully brushing their bangs out of their eyes as they slide across Milwaukee listening to ipods filled with bands with ironic song titles. No, I am living in the "crotch that is life." That place where I can't possibly interact with a mind, heart or embrace with loving arms, nor can I walk myself out of this mess with well-grounded legs. Nope, I live life in that region where all I can to is create waste and fuck it all up. The crotch.

So now what?

I rebuild. Again. This time the right way. I finally have my priorities straight. And I'm not gonna lie, it feels pretty darn great.

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

11 comments:

Josh said...

You have officially made me cry at work. You are an incredible writer, love you babe.

Miss Crystal Renee said...

The Beatles, nice choice.

Kevin O'Donnell said...

Whoa...thats inspiration right there.

sarah marie p said...

What a great quote. Wow, pretty deep stuff today. Kudos to getting to this new place in your life. You can totally do this.

dsnowden said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dsnowden said...

We are all behind you Shannon!

Unknown said...

Go you! Look forward to reading about your new journey

Unknown said...

I'm loving what I am reading. This sounds like the women we learned to love.We have faith the rising of this Phoenix will mark a chapter in your life you will always look back on.It goes without saying we are behind you.

Kelly said...

go Shannon! go Shannon!

Jules said...

Amazing! I feel very inspired by you...in fact ever since I talked to you last, I feel very inspired...You are going to do great at this next chapter in your life...you know my new saying is ob la di, ob la da...life goes on.

Anonymous said...

:love: