"Getting Busy" Does Wonders

A lot has happened since we last spoke.

Yesterday I graduated as a Breastfeeding Support Counselor from the CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.) Training Program. I can't even begin to explain to you the look on my grandma's face when I showed her my diploma. Still in bed, she offers me her hand, shakes it enthusiastically, while looking at me straight in the eyes and repeatedly saying: "Congratulations" with a huge smile on her face. I can't even begin to explain to you how that made me feel. How such a small gesture instantly made my heart smile. How I felt someone else patting me on the back, for all my hard work. It really made me feel good about what I've accomplished.

CEDA BSC Class of October 2008 - Photo by: M. Dominguez

On top of working full-time, training to become a Breastfeeding Support Counselor, I have also been taking a grad course at Benedictine University for their online MPH (Master of Public Health) program. Without question, it's been kicking me in the shins. Every chance I got at work and at home, I would either be studying for a quiz, writing a paper, or doing massive amounts of reading. Yesterday also marked the last day of that 8-week course. Truth be told, I don't know how I did it. It's some sort of a disease, I'm telling you, to want to stay this busy...all the time.

Maybe because it's all I know...to "do me" that is. Maybe it's because it's all I've ever done, or rather, all I've been fighting to do. I've lost count of how many times I've let other people influence the decisions I've made, and for the first time in my life, I really feel like I'm doing what I want to do. And that right there?...is a huge accomplishment. Gigantic.

So, in continuation to last week's blog... like I said, GETTING BUSY really does wonders after hitting rock bottom. ;)

People and/or Little Things that have inspired me this week (because I'm sure other people can relate):

• watching Jordan Sparks' "One Step at a Time" music video
• listening to Danity Kane both to and from work
• conference calls with my highly-motivated health professional classmates
  
• support from friends/family/coworkers at my BSC Graduation

"It's the little things...and the joy they bring." -india.arie