Talking about a crossroad (Journal Prompt #1)

Danielle at Sometimes Sweet is hosting a link-up of sorts this week with a journal prompt. I found this prompt very interesting, and it is a topic that is on my mind constantly, so I decided to post about it today and link up with her HERE tomorrow when her post goes up. 

Here's the prompt:

Everyone has a time in their life they view as a crossroad. Sometimes you can see it as it's happening, and you're able to choose one way or another. Other times you may not realize you're there until you look back, and see what a turning point it really was. This week, write about a time you view as a marker in your life; a distinct place where things changed, for better or worse. 

I think that I have encountered two very distinct crossroads in my life that led me to where I am right now (albeit many other decisions/turning points).

The first of these was when I felt a strong pull to move to Nova Scotia to attend university at St. FX.

I had a high school guidance counselor who basically told anyone who’d listen that St. FX was the best university in the country, and that anyone who went there would agree (I have since found this not to be completely true- while I *LOVED* my time there, a few people did drop out or move away and not love it). I took a year of undergrad in Calgary at a small university college, which was great in many ways, and the courses that I took there were among the most interesting in my entire education. When I came to St. FX, I was a second year student, but I was new. It took me quite awhile to feel like I fit in, and I learned a lot about myself and who I wanted to become. 

(Via St. FX website - beautiful, isn't it!)

It was also at St. FX that I decided to pursue Psychology as my major, which in turn should have led me to an outstanding career by now (lol, kidding). Had I stayed in Calgary for university, I wouldn't have gotten to know my grandmother as a second mother. I wouldn't have made close friendships with some of my cousins and aunts and uncles. I wouldn't have met many of my current friends, and I probably wouldn't have moved to Halifax to start my life post-undergrad. I wouldn't have developed a passion for east-coast music or the Nova Scotia culture. I wouldn't have met Brian. 

Arguably, I could still be living a happy and successful life had I not moved out east. There is nothing wrong with Calgary, and I love it because it's my hometown. However, since moving out east, I have found that the pace of life and the size of Halifax are much more in tune with what I want out of life. It's hard not to feel happy walking down the waterfront in the summer, or listening to the ocean at Peggy's Cove. Although there are things (and people) I miss since moving here, I can't even imagine what I would have missed out on if I'd stayed at home for university. 

("My hometown" that will always hold a place in my heart)

This brings me to my second major crossroad, which I have discussed before (here). Meeting Brian changed my life, because our relationship was my first serious one, and it kind of came out of the blue in some ways. (You can read more about how we met here). However, the crossroad I’m talking about came after we’d been dating for 9-10 months and unexpectedly found out that I was pregnant (with Molly). This situation could have played out in more than one way, but we were fully in love, old enough and sure enough to commit to becoming a family and raising our daughter together. There are many times when I almost lament that we didn't have the same time as a “family of 2” before becoming a family of 3, but I never, ever regret bringing our beautiful daughter into the world. 

This time in my life (pregnancy/motherhood) was a crossroad because I did, understandably, drift away from some friends. Some friends had no idea how to relate to me anymore and could not accept the changes happening in my life. I was also fortunate to make new friends. Mommy friends. I also grew closer to my family, and to Brian’s family, who have been nothing but supportive of us since the day we found out about Molly. I don’t ever for a second regret the turning point that led me to this path in life. Even though it may not always be the life I’d imagined, in many ways, it has surpassed some of my hopes and dreams I’d had for my future. 

One of my close friends from university moved to Korea to teach English for 2 years in September 2009, just as I was finishing my Master's in Halifax. In March 2010, I met Brian. By the time my friend came back at Christmas in 2011, I was engaged to someone she'd never met and we were embracing life with a newborn. She had known that things would be different with me, but it was a huge shock to her (not in a bad way, but it took awhile for us to relate to one another the same way again). Sometimes life events change you, and I think this was the case with me. I was still essentially the same person, but my priorities had shifted, and I had a little person's life in my hands. 

I'm happy that these crossroads happened, and I'm content with the decisions that I made at turning points. I think there are turning points in our lives all the time. I often struggle with the "what if" aspect of making a decision. For instance, if I hadn't taken a certain job, would I be where I am now? If I had done such-and-such differently, would life be different now? It can be enough to drive me crazy, so I think it's better to just accept that life will always throw curveballs at us, and it is best to move forward with the support of those around us. I have to admit that I don't really agree with the phrase "Live life with no regrets", because I think that you can learn from regrets and move on. That being said, I think that dwelling on the past and dwelling on things that you regret can be a bit of a waste of time. If it's something that you regret and you can change, then change it! My lovely husband says that we always have two choices in any situation: You can accept it, or you can change it. (Isn't he wise? haha).

Peggy's Cove, NS

What crossroads have you encountered that changed your life? Do you regret them, or do you embrace them? 

Where I'm From

At Christmas time, my dad's family members all write something and compile it into an annual anthology for my grandmother. My grandmother usually selects the topics (but you can write or submit anything you want!) and we all try to contribute something as a gift to her each year. It's a great family tradition, and my dad has encouraged us to write something each year. 

This year, I came across a post that I loved on Alison's blog, Writing, Wishing. It was a poetry exercise based on the poem Where I'm From by George Ella Lyon. I decided to write my own "Where I'm From" poem for our Christmas book this year, and I'd like to share it here too. If you'd like to see Allison's poem, you can find it here. You can also read more about the original poem here and follow a template for writing your own version here. 

Here's my poem:

I am from black and white sheet music and wet Speedo swim goggles.

I am from a productive and hard-working metropolis that maintains a country vibe and is home to many friendly citizens.

I am from the moors of Scottish heather, the small purple flower that is my namesake.

I am from Sunday mass, family board game nights, and a competitive spirit. I am from Ella and Wesley Munroe (parents’ names changed).

I am from both quiet musings in a circle at the dining room table and loud chitchat in a large group where everyone is always right.

I am from a family that values education and thoughtfulness, and the reminder that life is not always fair.

I am from a 2000 year old Roman Catholic faith that is growing and evolving under a new world leader this year.

I’m from Calgary, known to many as Cowtown, but I am also from the small island of Cape Breton, the home of many hearts. I’m from Acadian French meat pies, the jagged Rocky mountains, lively Scottish fiddle tunes,  the rolling plains, Alberta beef, and Atlantic seafood.

I’m from the family of 5 that camped our way across the country and sought out big things along the way, from a home that considered stuffed animals to be family members, and from the infamous sibling trio 3Mo. I’m from books that were read under the covers at night, from Jack stories made up on the spot, and from Hank the Cowdog and the jelly-bean game.

I’m from the old photo albums stacked in the basement, the box of childhood mementos that has been saved, and the soldier ornament hanging on my new Christmas tree. I’m from parents who constantly showed me the meaning of love. I’m from a family that I am proud to call my own, and one that I love to share with my husband and daughter. 

Where are you from??

Happy Wednesday, everyone!!