moxie

Dear Friends,

It’s been awhile. I’ve missed you!

A lot happened in my short hiatus. I moved to a place in downtown Phoenix (out of my parents’ house!) and started school! My life’s moving forward again, and it’s a good feeling.

My New Room

School has been a little overwhelming and sometimes makes me question any abilities I thought I had, but mostly I enjoy the challenges. Also, I’ve met a lot of new and really great people, which is exciting and reminds me that there are so many good and interesting people in the world.

One of my favorite moments so far came during my graduate orientation, when Dean Callahan of the Cronkite school said that from that point on, we should think of ourselves as journalists. I got goosebumps when he said that. I noted that as the first day of the rest of my life.

I’ve been making lists (surprise, surprise) of goals I have. One of them involves a little introduction.

During my short stint taking adult piano lessons in Spring 2015 (a period I could refer to as my own personal Renaissance), I learned a very important lesson. It came from my piano teacher and goddess, Deanne Purdy. This woman became another player in a long lineup of people that guided me to the place I am now. In fact, at the time I joked to friends and family that, not only was I paying to learn the piano, but I was paying for love (in the non-prostitute sense) and life counsel.

At first, I was intrigued by Deanne’s colorful life, which spanned three marriages – the first to an abusive man, the second to the man she deemed the real love of her life, and the third to her “very best friend.” She had stories about all three men, but the stories I loved best were about the second man, a man much older than her and, from her descriptions and photos, a real-life, less dysfunctional Don Draper. Though the marriage only lasted three months, she ached for him most and was writing an in-depth biography of his life.

I digress.

As my lessons went on, Deanne’s coaching transcended the piano. She helped me lighten up. She recognized my drive for perfection. She helped me communicate my concerns. But the biggest lesson came one day after she asked me about some of my personal projects. She turned to face me we sat side by side on the bench and she said, “Girl, you got moxie.”

Moxie {mok-see}: noun.

1. vigor; verve; pep.
2. courage and aggressiveness; nerve.
3. skill; know-how.

It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, and it stuck.

From that point on, I made a vow that I would always try to have MOXIE.

I think I’ve shown moxie in a lot of ways already, and it’s comforting I’m not cracking under pressure.

Ways I’ve shown moxie this school year:

• I went to a bar with a group of friends from my cohort for 80’s dancing, ordered a Diet Coke,  and requested “Take on Me” when the music was L-A-M-E.
• I attended the Donald Trump rally in Arizona and interviewed supporters and protesters.
• I started volunteering at the college radio station and participating live on-air.

There are lots of ways to show moxie in everyday life. We all can and do show courage in the ways that we live. I’m so inspired by those that aren’t afraid to try new things.

How are you challenging yourself these days?

Your friend,