Tag: #inspiration

EmyforHouse.com

@EmyforHouse15A

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

What the heck?!

September 5, 2018September 4, 2018 emyminzel

What the heck?!

I believe self-analysis can be a good tool when you are working on bettering yourself or trying to improve relationships with others. I am finding my hyper self-analysis is not so helpful when used to extremes. When I am second guessing my every movement, word or belief it is not helpful but harmful. Over thinking stunts my growth and my ability to move forward in my life, censoring myself because of fear.

Let’s take campaigning for instance. I knew, that when I decided to run for office, that my every thought and word were going to be analyzed or questioned. I knew I would be the subject of interviews, surprise pop quizzes on the street and random meetings to discuss my intent. Originally, this did not concern me. I have an opinion on just about everything like most people in the world, just ask me.

Yet, when I over think the judgements of others, I want to shrink back into my hermit hole (home) where I am safe and secure. Is this anxiety or human nature? I had even stopped writing so freely because of these feelings. I have decided to concore my fears and keep moving forward anyway. What the heck?! Why not?

Clearly the option to retreat into my comfort zone is no longer available. I am in it up to my chin on the campaign trail and most of the time I love it! My fabulous community has embraced me and my efforts to be the change I wish to see. Running for this political position is my noble attempt to really put my effort and energy into bettering my community and myself. Yet the human tendency to second guess is still very real.

I do not second guess why it is that I am making these efforts. I know that the “why” behind my goal is very much to protect what I love. My community, my family and the environment for future generations. To be a voice for those who cannot speak.

It is the how I go about it, that gets me insecure in my efforts. The time and energy campaigning take away from my real life needs and responsibilities is very noticeable. I work less because I campaign more. I am not a trust fund baby. Like most people, working is a necessity to eat and pay the bills. I’m having a tough time balancing work and the campaign responsibilities, which is causing me stress in other areas of life. This is where the second guessing and over thinking comes into play.

Like most people, I try to figure out what it is that is wrong and how I can take steps to fix it.

I feel that the stress and effort will be worth it. When election day comes I want to say that I am happy with my efforts and that I did the best I could to make a difference in my small corner of the world. I will be able to tell myself “You did all you could.” And be okay with the outcome life gives me.

At times I think to myself “Why would someone put themselves through a life consuming, 9 month long, job interview for a position you may not get? Only to work as a public servant who is sometimes ridiculed and unappreciated. Why would you do this if you didn’t have an ulterior motive or a beneficial end game ploy?” This whole experience has taught me how important it is to be authentic. To be authentic in remembering why I am in this position in the first place.

I am running because I feel guided to a way that puts my purpose in line with bettering myself and my community for the greater good. To do my best to move forward towards a sustainable and healthy for the future. To be a leader with integrity that looks out for the greater good, not just what is good and easy right now.

Sometimes it is not profitable to do the right thing. Sometimes it is just best to do what is hard because it’s the right thing to do. That is my goal. I really am just a regular person who never really had political aspirations. I am only me. Standing up and doing what I can to be a voice for our environment because it needs one.

I am learning on this journey that yes, I may second guess words, but you know what? Who doesn’t at times? If, I can say I’ve done all I could to stand up for my beliefs and for others, then I need to be content in that effort. Progress doesn’t come in a straight line to success, it’s a twisted path of ‘Ah ha’s’ and moments of ‘what the heck was I thinking?’ This is life!

I don’t’ believe it is healthy to be certain about everything all the time. That is a dangerous echo chamber, of in the box thinking, that impedes progress or necessary change for improvement.

I believe if I don’t quit, I am still moving ahead. I am choosing to be content with the uncomfortable in-between moments that make us human. It’s okay to question myself, my motives and my uncomfortable situations, it leads to growth.

I will always continue to question myself as this allows me to hold myself to the high standards that I have set for other political leaders. Maybe that is the point?!

Thank you for reading my blog today!

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

http://www.EmyforHouse.com

@EmyforHouse15A

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Peanut Butter and Jelly

August 30, 2018 emyminzel

Jason and I have been married for ten years this summer but we have been together for nearly fifteen years now. That’s a lot of life to travel through together and I am thankful to have my best friend by my side. We mirror each other and have often been each other’s subject of lessons learned in our life together. I am so thankful that we have found a partnership that can stand up to the many tests of time.

My husband and I are very different. He is 6’ 4” I am 5’. He likes indoor activities. I like outdoor activities. He likes to watch sports. I enjoy HGTV and finding DIY projects for us to do together. He allows me to make him “honey do” lists of things I need done around the house. Yet, he will do them only when he is darn good and ready! In turn, I have learned to be patient and thankful that he is here to do them for me in the first place.

He prefers to spend quiet weekends at home. I would rather go out and enjoy friends or activities together. He travels for work, a lot, and I work from home. We have opposite view points on many issues from politics, to how many dogs we should have. As a matter of fact, we are so different, that I believe we are like Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Jason is for sure the Peanut Butter in our relationship. He is the solid foundation on which I share all my flavorful and creative ideas and he does his best to help me make them work. I am the Jelly that adds the flare to our relationship. Sometimes I’m the sweet Strawberry Jelly, other times, I am spicy Raspberry Jalapeno!

I know without the balance and grounding, hearty substance of my husband; who is always his Peanut Butter self. I would be sweet but not satisfied. I really do appreciate and need his foundation of strength and stability. I believe, he also enjoys the joyful energy I bring to the table. We balance each other in many ways but sometimes our tendency to be so opposite brings challenges to our relationship. Yet, so far, they seem to be the reason we work together so well.

No matter how opposed we are, we seem to just know that this is who we are supposed to be traveling through this lifetime with. Even on days I want to tuck into a cannonball and take him out at the knees. 😊 Hey, some times marriage and life can be hard. Even when you love each other, there are days when we don’t particularly like each other.

Knowing that, even on those challenging times when life throws us curve balls or does its best to shake up our foundation, we know we are meant to be together. That random rattling of our foundation actually works to smoosh us together, mixing us up until we are a blended combination that is inseparable, just like Peanut Butter and Jelly.

I know that I am blessed to have found someone who fits me so perfectly, even as opposite as we are. This brings us both opportunities to grow exponentially in many ways. We are both great individually but, put us together and that’s where the magic happens. This is how we expand our possibilities. By accepting our differences and working together to build a relationship; we have sandwiched a beautiful life together.

I think it’s fun to think of different ways to describe or explain complicated matters like relationships. What analogy would you give your marriage or relationship? I would love to hear them!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Brave enough to bloom

August 20, 2018 emyminzel

As a young girl I would often lead my younger cousins down the trails and into the backwoods in Northern Minnesota. Not knowing where they would lead us or if I we could even get back. Never gave a second thought to dangers that may lay ahead. There could have been a Momma black bear with cubs or a snare that may have been set; that I wasn’t even aware to be on the look out for. I was not concerned with any of these dangers as a 10 -year-old child adventurer. I was very loved and felt invincible!

I believe it was because I was so loved, that I always felt safe. I trusted that my family and the Higher Power would take care of me. Obviously, it worked out. I am still here. I even survived my teenage years, my early twenties and into my forties; trusting my curiosity (and family support structure) even if the path it takes me on may seem a little scary at times. Often, I find my curiosity and bravery (even if it is bravado at the time) often lead me to new wonderful experiences.

When Adventure Sister Stacy and I set out on our first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area many years ago, we had no idea what we were getting into. We’d never done anything like it before. We were both just in need of new experiences. We both needed some ‘me’ time at the same time. What would be better then going up the BWCA where the only option there is to ‘rough it’ with the minimum needed to survive and no cell phone signal.

Sure, we were nervous, not to mention that our families were a little worried for us as well. Yet we were strong women who were bound and determined to get away from it all. This decision, to risk going deep into the forest, led to where we are today. Five years later we have written three books about our continued adventures and life experiences spurred on by this one first choice. We chose to be scared but brave and adventurous anyway. Because of this; we are currently working to get our trilogy published.

I find, that when I am bored with my day to day routines, I look for something different to try to spice-up my life. Some years it’s wondering into the forest. Some years its contemplating the risk to write and share my personal stories and art with the world.

This year, my curiosity and drive to make a difference in the world, led me to run for the State House of Representatives. It was a scary decision to run because I didn’t know what to expect. Yet I am trusting this adventure I’ve been lead to.

Being brave does not mean you are not aware that you are vulnerable. It means you see the risks, you contemplate how it will affect you, and even weigh the judgment of others. Sometimes you know that if it goes bad, it might go really bad. Then I choose to chance it anyway. Or not.

I choose to do this because of the support and love of my family and friends who will catch me if I fall. Often, in adulting, we know that others are depending on us. So we choose their concerns and wellbeing over doing what our souls call to us to do.

After I became a mother, I settled down pretty darn quick. Yet now that she is grown and out of the house, I feel that it’s okay to start taking some calculated risks again. I believe, that in our society, we have gotten to the point where fear is ruling our decisions and even impeding our growth.

Change is scary and taking chances are risky. But I feel that if I do not try or even take small steady steps in the direction I wish to go, then I will always be in the same place. There is no mental or spiritual growth in staying in the same place. Without new experiences in my life, I get bored.

There is no innovation or progress if we are content with the status quo of our life. Is this why life feels uncomfortable at times? To make us want to keep moving forward to a possible ‘better’ life? Maybe the Universe puts opportunities, to take those chances and risks, in front of us for this reason.

I believe in chasing your interests, dreams and drive to where your heart calls you because it’s calling you for a reason… The reason why you were put here on earth in the first place. I also believe all our wondering, inclinations, and inquisitive yearnings are instilled in you to lead you to your life’s purpose. Probably why I was a political junkie and so interested in environmental protections for the last ten years.

Life is sometimes scary when it asks us to level up in our efforts. Whether it is starting a new job or a new life, with a move far from the home you’ve known, it can challenge our bravery. What I find scarier though is staying the same and not giving myself the opportunity to grow.

I strive to grow so much that I bloom over and over again. By bloom, I mean to help to make the world just a little more beautiful than it already is, by increasing my effort to benefit the greater good. I strive to be send positive vibes out to the Universe because it needs it.

I realize I am blessed with an abundance of love in my life. I have come to see love as the water I need to bloom where I am planted. I bloom by being brave enough to first crack open the cocoon of my soul’s seed. My soul’s desires sometimes seem to be fertilized by the darkness that makes me ache to reach for the sun.

At times I crave the growth so strongly that it allows me to overcome my fears. I believe being brave, even when I am scared, has turned out to be the best way to bloom into the life I am meant to live. I was planted on this path; I might as well trust it because it was meant to be.

I believe divine guidance is always taking place in my life and if I don’t trust my path, I stall my growth. Yes, being brave is hard and scary but I recommend you try it anyway. Nobody likes to be stuck in fertilizer too long!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings today and always! Love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

@EmyforHouse15A

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Well, I’m an empty-nester.

August 7, 2018 emyminzel

My one and only child has just moved out. She is 24 and had moved from home, for college, previously. Then came back home for a couple years. I very much enjoy her company as she is my best accomplishment and I am proud of the woman she has become. I know she is ‘beyond’ ready to start her life of her own, though.

I, on the other hand, feel sad about this life change even though I know this is what she is supposed to do and that she is very capable of taking care of herself. She is brave, independent, smart and determined; so I know this is the right time for her to go. Yet it doesn’t make me feel any better because I will miss her sweet face, her caring efforts and funny, sarcastic cracks every day.

She won’t be too far away and I know how to work a phone. As a mother of one, I know how to stalk the girl and she knows I will if I have too! I have been known to call her friends to find her and I am not above it even now even though she is very much the responsible adult. I am only concerned for her wellbeing and know that she can take care of herself, but the mom in me, needs confirmation that she is breathing today.

I find it somewhat amusing that I feel so protective of her, but I was raised to protect what you love, and I will continue to do so. Even if that means annoying my baby girl with texts and phone calls just to make sure she is okay today. Fortunately she will be bringing our dog Hank with her to the apartment, after she settles in, and this makes me feel much better about the change. Hank is a good boy and will keep her company, while providing emotional support and protection.

This is just another change that seems to keep reiterating that I am entering a new phase of my own life. I will be an empty nester, with an aging dog (Gus is 12 now) and a husband who works a lot. I am thankful I have work, writing and campaign life to keep me busy and my thoughts from straying to worry and the feeling of loss.

I know my daughter needs to move out on her own so she can spread her wings and be free from her feeling of being trapped in childhood. I totally get that. When it is time to move on, we feel it strongly. I remember when I left the security of my Mom’s house many years ago. I was ready and so was she. It was good for both of us! I believe this will be the same for my daughter.

I am thankful for the business of the campaign to keep me busy, so I don’t have time to dwell. I would like to use this opportunity to keep moving forward to protect the Minnesota I know and love for future generations to enjoy. There is a peace in knowing I am moving forward in life in a way that will make a positive difference in my community.

I may not be able to mother my child as I once had but I still have a whole lot of love, compassion and nurturing instincts to share with the world. I am ready to do just that for the greater good of our future in the Minnesota I know and love. Divine timing is unfolding in our lives if we step back and look. It’s up to us to trust our intuition and impulses that carry us forward to the future we desire.

To all the empty-nesters out there… what did you accomplish once you made time to follow your feelings and impulses? Did you write a book? Climb a mountain? Simply take some quiet time to find yourself again? This transitional period for middle age women and men can be a wonderful time in our lives. Tell me how you ushered in a new era once the kids were gone! I would love to hear from you!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister