This post was published via LinkedIn on September 30th, 2016. A change to the title was made and minor grammatical changes were made.

Ever feel as if your back is against the wall or there is nothing you can do? Do you find yourself in the midst of rejections and/or waiting? These are personal questions I have found myself answering "yes" to while living abroad. However, in these moments I have learned the importance of creating a "space." A space where I can gaze beyond the present circumstances and see the big picture and not just the individual stroke of a paint brush. It is a "space" that I carve out in tight areas. It is where I make room for myself to grow, develop, and thrive in challenging and uncomfortable circumstances.

Living abroad is connected to my husband serving in the United States Air Force. I joined him on this journey and added two children along the way. In this time, I had multiple opportunities to travel, converse, dine and engage with individuals from various ethnic, cultural, language and geographical backgrounds. These experiences enriched and expanded my global view. Yet, limited employment opportunities and childcare posed a significant challenge for my professional development while transitioning from one country to another. In these moments, it was important for me to create a “space.” This “space” helped me to strive to see the "big picture” when it was easy to be myopic.  

Creating a “space” involved periods of waiting, shifting of goals, and the acquiring of new aspirations. Upon arriving to Italy, I envisioned teaching in my own classroom. However, the journey looked different and the goal evolved. I was privileged to serve as a long term substitute, sponsor a Homework Club, complete a Master in Arts of Teaching (MAT) with practicum, renew my teaching credential, and learn Italian. The outcome required me to treasure the journey toward my envisioned goal.

Goals shift and change and this is hard to embrace. Since arriving in Germany, the brush strokes toward the "big picture" took a different direction. The desire to teach in a traditional school setting was still present. However, I needed to step out, lead and break away from the norm. The direction of entrepreneurship in education tugged on my heart strings. I realized it was time again to create a "space" in a new environment. This "space" was The Joy of Learning.

Launching The Joy of Learning offered the opportunity to provide quality preschool programming for my children and other military connected students. The preschool program sharpened my teaching skills and awakened a deep desire to operate a business. In addition, serving as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor for Child Development for Central Texas College fused my teaching experiences with encouraging adult learners on their journey as early childhood educators. The "big picture" certainly looks different now but is still beautiful!

Each brush stroke on our personal and professional journeys are taking their course toward the "big picture." There are circumstances that pose challenges to attaining our goals. Therefore, when it feels as if you can not lift the paint brush, remember to create a "space" where you can grow, develop, and thrive personally and professionally! I will continue to create a "space" in the midst of waiting, rejections and disappointments. As for now, another brush stroke is developing.