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What Me? Worry?

People fascinate me. I think I've mentioned this before, but it's still true.

We have a bit of a shake-up at work which is leaving many of us--me included--unsure about whether we will have a job next year. Sure it's a little disconcerting to think about facing another change, but we're teachers. For the most part, as long as you aren't arrested for a felony, you can get a job.

That's pretty much my mantra. Someone threw out at me one of my favorite barbs this week: "Oh, you don't have anything to worry about because you don't have kids." In my book, that's right up there with saying, "Oh, you wore green today; I guess you don't like blue."

The fact of the matter is that I'm just *not* a worrier. At least about the big stuff. I'm much more likely to lose sleep about suddenly losing a limb to gangrene. Or being knocked off a bridge by a large seagull.

It kind of cracks me up sometimes how we all find excuses for what we do and think and feel. There's nothing wrong with being worried in this situation, but there's nothing here to fret about just yet. And the truth is that even if I had 12 kids at home to take care of, I still wouldn't worry. It's the way I'm wired and not the least bit tied to my circumstances.

Deep down, I know that my steps are ordained. Each part of this adventure I'm on has been paved in ways I never thought possible. How could I doubt the plan right smack in the middle of it?

I only wish that others could join me in this peace and security, but the process of getting to this point isn't fun. The more unfortunate circumstances and events of my life have brought me here. Right now, I love the way time changes your perspective. I certainly couldn't have imagined feeling this level of comfort back when I was seventeen and looking for a couch to sleep on.

And I wouldn't change that for the world.
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