Welcome!!!!
This Blog is simply to document & share experience, strength and hope as I journey on the path of re-discovery. I hope something I say lends itself to encourage or bring hope to someone who needs it, and maybe share some laughs along the way!
The title “Chunk of Coal”, is a reference I have used for years about myself. Not unlike anyone else, I have had struggles, challenges, sorrows, and pain. I have also been abundantly blessed to have experienced love, laughter, peace, and hope. I always had all of my needs (not my wants), and for that I am so thankful. I tend to question lots of things in life, but believe it is still worth living. I often struggle to see the same goodness & sparkle that others say they see in me; but I am working on that, hence the secondary part of the title “– Mining Through Life & Discovering My Inner Diamond”. Like mining, I am extracting life lessons and experiences, chipping away & delving deep into my soul (as dark & scary as the process can sometimes be), to discover my inner diamond!
There are songs and quotes using the coal-to-diamond metaphor. The song “I’m Just An Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Going To Be a Diamond Someday)” by Billy Joe Shaver, was written about his faith in Jesus and the change he anticipates when he makes his transition. There are also many inspirational quotes referencing the lengthy amount of time and extreme pressure it takes to transform something as mundane as a chunk of coal into a precious jewel. The reminder that this is possible makes me smile.
My Grandpa Presley was a coal miner in Eastern Kentucky. He died from complications of Black Lung. Miners travel deep into the mines, under less than ideal circumstances, to perform their duties. It is dirty and dangerous. I imagine there is often uncertainty & it must be frightening at times. For safety & survival they rely on their own instincts, skills, abilities, and experience. They are also required to put their trust in other humans, tools & equipment, all of which can be fallible. I would venture to say many put their trust in God. It is not a glamorous job, but working hard and digging deep day-in & day-out for decades has proven to be valuable & a key source of energy (as controversial as it may be). Strangely enough, all aspects of coal mining mentioned above are tremendous life metaphors!
Recently, I finally (F I N A L L Y) started adjusting to my new normal of being a divorced, 
empty-nester mom of a beautiful, nearly 21-year-old daughter, Lauren. My identity has always been defined by my relationships or my work. The problem with that is when those change or go away, I am left with just myself. Twice in the recent past I was stuck for answers when asked questions: once when filling out a questionnaire it asked my hobbies; the other time while in a group setting I was asked to tell about myself. As cliché as it may sound, I did not know how to answer because I really don’t know who I am or what I enjoy outside of my relationships or work (but I’m stoked to find out). I doubt the people I returned the questionnaire to, or even the ones asking in person, really cared that much about my answers. However, my inability to reply spontaneously with anything of substance really made me stop and ponder; it made me want to find answers to those questions, and much more. I desire to learn who I truly am & identify who I want to become, to step out of my comfort zone & discover things I enjoy, to identify what I want my life to look like post-retirement (from civil service) and take action to make that vision become a reality, to help make others feel beautiful & special, to live a life that is full of joy and with few regrets for not having tried, and to leave a legacy that my loved ones would be proud of.
So, as I hop on this uncertain yet exciting ride through this thing called life, I invite you to share the journey, and hopefully you can discover your inner diamond too!
Make It A Great Day!
♦ Dana ♦
Dana’s Mary Kay Web Site (Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant)
Chunk of Coal -- Mining Through Life & Discovering My Inner Diamond 