Defintions of Restoration (Merriam-Webster)

: GIVE BACK, RETURN

: to put or bring back into existence or use

: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : RENEW

: to put again in possession of something

: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection as we renew our strength in sleep

: to make new spiritually : REGENERATE

: to restore to existence : REVIVE

: to make extensive changes in: REBUILD

: to do again : REPEAT

: to begin again : RESUME

I believe that I am moving into a stage of restoration and renewal. I have gone on and on about how there was that great run in my life from 2000-14 and then it has been steadily downhill ever since, with the last five years being the absolute pits.

I am on my way back. I feel it. I feel the energy rising. This is a period of restoration and renewal.

I have been stripped down and walked through the wilderness —the dry desert —and now I am being put back together. I can feel it. Things are shifting back to where we were around that first run. It started slowly, and then significant events began to happen one after the other. I started meeting amazing people, I had incredible experiences I had only dreamed about, and I began to thrive. I am not meant to live in the wilderness, but I must stay until my time is up. It’s a terrible tension to be in the wilderness, yet I know leaving prematurely could cause even more problems, like not being ready and prepared for my next era.

I have learned so much during this time in the wilderness and I have learned that I can endure hard times. The deal is to take what I have learned as fuel to move forward, not get stuck here

I do have signs that I am on my way back out of the wilderness

Signs that I am are on the way back

  • Unapologetically doing what I enjoy: Great music, Great TV, Great Writing, Great Wine, and Great people that don’t involve church or what I think I am supposed to be doing.
  • Treating myself well: My maintenance routines can be a bit much, but I know that I am heading toward thriving when doing them, and I know internally it is going to be part of my work. I can be a bum when I am home or when I am running errands.
  • Education: Google Project Management Certification: I am learning so much, and it is exciting to open my eyes to new possibilities. Because I lack work experience, I am doing all I can to increase my profile by investing in my education and learning to become a competitive candidate.
  • Expanding my network: This is what has been missing from my life. I need that professional and social network to make connections and learn from. This is where the opportunities and learning are happening. My current situation is isolating and depressing, but I am becoming proactive about creating my own network.

I am really enjoying the Google Project Management certification because it is opening my eyes to new possibilities, and I already have many of the skills needed for the job. Even though I am trying not to dwell on my mistakes, I really regret not pursuing a career shift sooner, because the job market is terrible right now, and I could have been much further along financially and in my career. I am currently reading The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink, and I am taking his advice to use regret as fuel for the future and to make better decisions.

 

The Life and Music of George Michael

Wham! Young George Michael

I love George Michael’s music, and so when the San Francisco Chronicle had a discount for the show, The Life and Music of George Michael, I decided to go. George Michael passed away in 2016, so this was my best chance at having something like a concert. I still listen to George Michael’s music all the time, so as the show got closer, I grew concerned because George Michael was one of those singers who could really SING.

The show was fantastic! Two different actors played George: one during his Wham! Period. Days and the other played the older, more seasoned George. Both were fantastic! I loved that, between each song, the actors gave a little bit of context about the timeline of what was happening with George. The second George sang one of my all-time favorite songs: A Different Corner. The actor shared that George said it was one of the most personal songs he had ever written. I can listen to A Different Corner ten times in a row without getting tired of it because I feel the lyrics in my bones every time.

The show was highly energetic. I’ll skip over the lady who butchered Aretha Franklin’s part in “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” but that even had people up on their feet.  The song ‘Freedom ’90’ hit real different in 2025, and the majority of the audience was up on their feet, singing and dancing.  Speaking of dancing, I just LOVED all the older women who were dancing and having a great time.  They were really getting it during the song, “I Want Your…” IYKNY. One woman with mobility challenges was up for a bit, dancing, took a rest, and then was back up again. If you know the song, then you know how it went down.  Yet another reason to stay in shape as we get older!

I left the show energized, inspired, and feeling another step closer to leaving the wilderness. I am feeling my spark and inspiration coming back.

Week 2 Level Up challenge

I completed my second week of the Level Up Challenge, and my workouts feel like “Before Times.” I do like splitting up different body parts, and I’ve been enjoying the gym for the first time in a long time.  Now, if I could get some eyecandy at the gym that would be great —thanks!

Nutrition feels good, and it is easier to make good choices. Protein is my type. Just adding the protein shake post-workout is helping me with cravings. I do not want the focus to be on the scale so I am down to weighing twice per week: Mondays and Fridays to get the average.

Fate test 2: Show up early or late to somewhere you are supposed to be 

This was an accident, but the Lyft Driver dropped me off at the wrong theater and I realized it at about 7:35 and my show started at 7:30. Luckily it was a minute walk. I was in my seat by 7:37 and didn’t miss one moment of the show.

Perhaps the lesson here is that I may not be at my destination, but that doesn’t mean I need to give up and go home. All I need right now is a course correction.   As I said, this is a wilderness era, and I know I am not meant to stay in it permanently. One thing I have understood very clearly is that I was never meant to stay at any of the places I landed over these past ten years.

I was not meant to stay at that church that I was a part of. I am not meant to stay at my current place of work. These were all temporary places before I crossed over to this next era. They served their purpose, but now it is time to move forward.

I have feared that I am late and have missed my destination, but I know that I am right on time, and just like this weekend, I will not miss one moment.

After the last ten years of boredom, blahs, stagnation, loss, and disappointment, cheers to restoration and renewal!