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List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.
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My parents named me Roselynn. Not Roslyn. Not Rosalyn. People have pronounced it wrong my whole life. Know why? It’s not a real name. My parents made it up. It’s pronounced Rose (like the flower) Lynn.
Any guesses as to what my favorite flower is?
Anyway, as a kid I always felt the name was too formal – though as a 5-year-old I probably wouldn’t have put it that way.
My older brothers called me Rosie for as long as I can remember, and I loved the sound of it. It was more me.
It seemed to offend my mom that I did not want to be called by the name that she made up just for me. For years, on the first day of school when the teachers were introducing everyone, I’d ask to have them call me Rosie instead of Roselynn. The answer invariably was “I’m sorry, your mom already talked to me and wants me to call you Roselynn.”
It wasn’t until 5th grade that my mom gave up. At 10-years-old I felt I was finally free from the old-lady made-up name!
Nowadays, the only people who call me Roselynn are my parents and people who knew me as Roselynn prior to my new name rebellion. It’s somewhat of a litmus test for me. My work email is Roselynn – when people call me that, I instantly know – You don’t really know me.
What’s ironic is that as an adult I have come to appreciate the name Roselynn much more. It’s unique and it’s sweet. But don’t call me that.
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I am amazed by people who only need to maintain their health and well-being. When I get to the maintenance stage, I’ll be celebrating!
For me, health and well-being is a constant uphill struggle. I have an unfortunately voracious sweet tooth, with my drug of choice being ice cream. Not all ice cream is created equal – I love the thick, creamy, high-fat kind. Dessert is my definite weakness!
I also have a natural inclination to lounge. I do have a genuine love for nature, but oftentimes I have to remind myself that even though laying in bed and scrolling through reels is easier, I never regret going for a hike.
My mental well-being is in question as well… I have battled anxiety since high school when it first felt like life was getting overwhelming.
I have found that being in nature and ensuring an active lifestyle is the best remedy for anxiety. I make goals to run a certain amount of miles in a year, and those running goals keep me in hiking shape (even if I come last in a race).
As for my sweet tooth, intermittent fasting has been a huge help to me over the last few years. It helps me feel like I’m in control. It provides less opportunity for mindless snacking.
Though I’m far from having it all figured out, I do have a toolkit that helps me keep going – go outside, move my body, fast with intention, and be kind to myself when I stumble.
Maintenance is the goal. Daily progress is the plan.
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
I think the most obvious answer to this would be a famous historical figure, and most notably Jesus Christ. I’d definitely extend Him an invite!
I would additionally make sure to invite the group of kids I grew up with.
I had the opportunity to attend my 20-year high school reunion last year, and I did not go. My graduating class was very large, and I only personally knew a fraction of them. It got me thinking about who I WOULD like to have a reunion with. I thought about it a lot.
I decided I’d like a reunion with all the kids from my neighborhood. There were tons of us! Maybe 8 in my grade in school, plus another 20 in the grades above and below me. If you add the kids two years above and below me, it’s even more.
We shared so many life-defining moments: summer night games, church camps, school dances, awkward junior high phases, and the ups and downs of discovering who we were becoming. We saw each other through first crushes, heartbreaks, achievements, and growing pains. We had inside jokes and childhood traditions that no one else could possibly understand. They’re the people with the deepest context for who I turned out to be.
I seriously considered attempting to reach out to all of them for a get together, but I chickened out. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to do it.
But if I could host a dinner and guarantee that everyone I invited would come, no excuses! They’d all, along with their families, have a seat at the table.
Definitely weeding! I know that there is a weird tendency to get strange hobbies as you get older, but I never dreamed mine would be weeding! I have found that pulling out weeds, especially when the whole root comes out easy, is immensely satisfying! I get so caught up in it that when I get to the more stubborn ones, it’s like I have a vendetta against them. By the time I finish, my hands are all blistered and thorn ridden.
So when does this new hobby result in a nice looking yard??
Packing for Adventure 