a work in progress.

As a full-time working outside the home momma of two littles (4.5 year old son, 1.5 year old daughter) and wife to a kind and gracious husband, I am constantly wondering if I am making even the tiniest of differences in this world. My days are filled with pouring bowls of Cheerios, sopping up spilt milk, scrambling to toss bags, shoes, coats, hats (and kids—not tossed, gently placed) into the car, driving to work, dropping kids off, sitting, typing, talking, emailing, picking kids up, hurrying home, prepping and cooking dinner…The list continues well into the evening. My head hits my pillow and most nights I think about all the things that still didn’t get done (the laundry, the workout, the next day’s lunch prep, the dust bunny removal, the scrubbing of the bathroom sinks).

Recently, a woman in one of my mom’s groups on Facebook asked a question about the ways in which we are trying to make an impact in our world. My response? “Honestly, I am just trying my darndest to raise my kids to be kind.” Because, honestly, that feels like all I can fit into my life right now.

Then came my friend Jessie’s Facebook call for women to share about their passions and how they (we) are trying to make the world a better place. And I started thinking about my own passions, lamenting for a bit how I used to volunteer; I used to be “involved”. I used to. And then I realized, I still have passions. I still want to make the world a better place. So I messaged her. And I said, “If you’ll accept a work in progress, I’ll be happy to share.”

And so here I am, a work in progress. I (alongside my husband) am starting at home, raising my children to be kind, respectful, and confident. I am also working on integrating my passion for girls, specifically helping girls know themselves as smart, strong, brave, dignified human beings, back into my life. I recently signed up to volunteer as a mentor with Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis and look forward to training and serving as a program leader this Spring. I continue to donate to Girls on the Run of Central Indiana and look forward to someday committing time to that group again (having stepped down from their board of directors before having my son nearly 5 years ago).

In my professional life, I am the Director of Faculty and Community Resources with the IUPUI Center for Service and Learning (Indianapolis).  I work as a bridge between faculty and community, helping to develop and support meaningful community-based learning opportunities for students. At its core, this work allows me to play one tiny part in seeing partnerships start and grow; new ideas and projects emerge;  students discover and deepen their own passions; faculty create new opportunities for learning and tackling important social justice issues.  I am lucky that my day-to-day work shows me glimpses of the good that others are doing in this world.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story. It’s not radical. It’s not making big waves or toppling oppressive structures. I want to do more. I will do more. I plan to do more. But for now, this is my story. I am a work in progress.

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I am renewing my commitment to philanthropy and civic action this year. I want to use this blog as a way to document the journey I am taking, what I am learning, and helping others discover ways they can take action to affect change, too.

For more information on Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis, visit their website. You can help all girls feel STRONG, SMART, and BOLD through mentoring opportunities.

For more information on Girls on the Run Central Indiana, visit their website. You can help inspire girls to be "joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running." There are many ways to support GOTR, from coaching girls in the program to helping at a 5K event, or even running a race of your choice as a Sole Mate.

Throwback: I have been involved with GOTR since its inception in Hamilton County. I wrote about my commitment to this organization when I first started with it.  I continue to embrace the concept of simply "moving forward."

It is my hope that 2017 can be a bold year. A radical year. A year of positive impact from my little corner of the world. My steps may be small but they add up. I am walking. I am marching. I am speaking. I am sharing. This is where I am starting (continuing). If you're reading, I hope you'll join me in whatever way you are so moved.