SWOT Running

NOTE:
This is a picture of Anna playing soccer last fall for Hillcrest/PR. Since she is the designated Athlete in the family, I thought it was appropriate to feature her.

Lately friends who know me well have accused me of "running from something" because I seem to be spending too much time visiting people, occupying myself with activities, etc. I've thought about it and it's possibly our August 15 departure and my completely new lifestyle. Oh hec, who am I fooling...not possibly-probably.

Part of this is seasonal--it's a normal pattern for me to visit places and people in the summertime. If a teacher can't take advantage of those glorious three months, then what good is it?! BTW-GOOD teachers really resent that t-shirt that says "Three reasons to teach-June, July and August".

But I digress (again, running?!)
So I've been trying to stop myself and face the future head-on. "Brother" Peter recently said something brilliant (not the first time, not the last)
He said that when someone is facing a significant challenge, they should make a SWOT list:
Chronicling STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES and THREATS.

So I'm attempting to do that for myself. Here's what I've come up with--

STRENGTHS: I am a good teacher. I will have an opportunity to teach Drama, which is my passion. I will be able to take this adventure with David and Anna. I love to travel. David's job was cut and now we have jobs.

WEAKNESSES: I need lots of people in my life and I'm scared what will happen when I don't have my "core" people by my side. The weather is hot, damn hot. I don't function well when I don't have both my children in my Mother Hen Den at least once a month. I'm not used to spending significant amounts of solitary time with David.

OPPORTUNITIES: Whoa-this is where the list could get long. The opportunitity to teach, to travel, to experience a new culture, to learn more about my daughter during the precious last years of high school, to live my husband's lifestyle, to prove to myself that I can live away from home and work on all the above weaknesses.

THREATS: Well, there's that whole war thing. And the heat (I consider this a threat) and Anna surviving in a new environment. And the insecurity of just exactly we will come out with our finances.

Okay I've made the list. Nothing seems as threatening as cancer (what I use in my life as the BIG OMG). Maybe, just maybe I can do this.

Like my daughter, at least I'm willing to try. It's down to less than 4 weeks for departure. Keep those prayers (in whatever religion) a'comin' folks.