Despite the fact that very scary things have been going on at work, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that, in less than a week, I’m going to be taking advantage of a new benefit for long-time employees — a four-week paid sabbatical leave.
Why am I keeping my fingers crossed? Well, it seems that yet another co-worker has been forced out/let go/left abruptly. That makes four since early May. I think I’m safe, since 1) I actually have a lot to contribute to a forthcoming major project and 2) another unexpected departure would just tear the scab off a not-quite-healed wound in our rather large group … not a good thing.
But you just never know.
In any case, I’m moving forward with plans for my leave (which our organization calls “renewal” leave … the idea is you use the time to renew, refresh, and come back re-committed to your career).
In a perfect world, I would have had the bucks to go travel for four weeks, but I don’t, and putting the whole thing on a credit card seems like a really bad idea :).
So I’m renewing at home (after a week with the family at Nags Head). I’ve decided the theme for my sabbatical/renewal is all about creativity…engaging the right brain.
I still need to make more concrete plans, but one of the tactics is going to be taking classes in a variety of art forms. I’ve lined up both a digital photography class and a couple of cooking classes. And today, I went to Glen Echo Park for a class on screenwriting from The Writer’s Center.
Glen Echo Park was a Chatauqua-inspired theme park, established in the late 1800’s.
The picture above shows the carousel to the left, and one of the many yurts that house a specific art program (like metal-working).
When I arrived at 9:30ish, the place was deserted and a bit scary. But by lunch, it was packed with families with young kids, most of whom were lined up to ride on the carousel. Unfortunately, the class let out too late for me to visit the adjacent Clara Barton house, but it’s close enough that I’ll be sure to be back.
BTW, I have no illusions that I’ll be the next great screenwriter (though a cousin I’ve never met, Stephen Mazur, hasn’t done badly taking it up later in life). But it is fun to dream!
Weight Maven is written by Beth Mazur. Beth believes that obesity is more symptom than cause and that the real problem is our modern culture -- especially diet. Beth writes about ancestral health, health policy, & mindfulness. And cats! 
