Francesca from three bay b chicks asked me an interesting question in relation to the below quote...
"Is that possible, my friend? Is it possible to reinvent yourself as you get older? I'd like to think so, but I am not sure. Have you been successful? :)"
I can wholeheartedly answer YES! and then some!
2009 has been phenomenal so far in terms of personal growth... my dad said I procrastinated through my 30's then looked at my watch and went uh-oh I better hurry up and end this decade with a bang, as I had said I would. Of course he said this with a smile but there is a lot of truth to that (I turn 40 next January).
After suffering a terrible marriage at a young age, going through a divorce and living through one disappointing relationship after the other, I had grown bitter, distrustful and certain to grow old alone surrounded by dogs.
Cuz I don't do cats.
Then came Vegas and the healing started... so much so that we took the leap of faith and got married earlier this year - I now feel connected, trusting, happy and amazed at what love, real love, can do to a heart that I thought was broken for life.
I reinvented myself in love.
I also reinvented myself in confidence... I spent too many years getting up in the morning, going to work and wondering "what for?" - was that what life was all about? Earn money to pay the rent to live close to work to earn money to... well, you see the pattern. I never liked being stuck in an office like a rat, pushing invisible paper and following corporate rules.
But being born with a horseshoe up my butt... I had mostly awesome employers, made decent money, got to travel, had wonderful colleagues and was blessed with losing my job often enough to realize I needed to do something else with my life, something meaningful - something I could be passionate about.
So I'm following the dream and starting my own business, opening my luxury dog hotel by end of this summer. Can you say "excited"?!
This is all tied in to taking another huge step, buying my very first house - we move in three days!
Again we got super lucky and found an incredible property, we cannot wait to finally be in a place to call our own.
So I reinvented myself on the home front - I shed the security blanket that was this apartment and this city the past decade. I don't need the chaos around me anymore to serve as a distraction. I have found inner peace and am not afraid of being alone and surrounded by quiet anymore.
This year isn't over yet - I am sure it will bring many more adventures, like the new family member that's joining us in five weeks (I posted about little Dante earlier this week). I look forward to reconnecting with relatives and friends, old and new, to finally be able to stretch my wings - it took three decades but now, watch me fly!
Have I been successful in reinventing myself?
You bet!
Am I done yet?
Hell no!
I'll be done when I die - and that won't be anytime soon, if I can help it! :-)
/end of Hope This Answered The Question post/
17 comments:
la. you know what that means.
Spread those wings baby! I think we have to keep reinventing ourselves...revolving into our next phase.
Love your insight...you are brilliant!
This is a beautiful, beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing. Not to be cheesy, but this made my heart happy. We are never, ever stuck in one place. Thank you for the reminder
Uplifting story. You never know how our lives will unfold. Yours is unfolding beautifully.
This post made me so happy inside. So inspiring! I'm so glad you wrote it. I always hesitate to write the things that aren't so great, but then I realize how much I learn from others who share their experience of overcoming tough things.
I'm currently in the "I'll die alone with my cats if I weren't allergic to them so really I'll die alone" phase. So hey, maybe that invention for me is just around the corner. :)
You are amazing!
Vegas, yeah!
Busy Bee, LOL not brilliant just alive and grateful for the opportunity - but thank you :)
Katie, I had to keep reminding myself that there was something waiting for me just around the corner... guess what I found when I got there? Me. Your YOU is always there all along, never doubt it!
Peach, after a rough start YES it is all coming together - who ever said hard work didn't pay off? ;-)
Rebecca, you're living exactly what you need to be living right now to get to your nirvana. I don't know of anyone who "gets there" at 20 or without hard work so yes, don't doubt anything about your life. Just enjoy it!
Awesome, awesome post, TD. I, too, agree, that we can reinvent ourselves. As Suz said . . . we have to. Your pic/quote post was right on time for me because yesterday was the start of yet another new beginning for me and I feel so invigorated. I had such a light, happy feeling with me all day. There's a lot of work to be done, but I'm excited because I know only good things will come, as they always do when I move on to the next stage (as it did with my other half and work - here's to reinvention in love).
Happy Tuesday!
PS. I haven't had a chance to update the post . . . but just to let you know, I got my results back. I'm all clear. :o)
You don't evolve if you don't reinvent yourself frequently.
this is a GREAT post - very inspiring!!
I don't do cats either:)
I'm very impressed that you are starting a new business - something that you are passionate about. Here's to you!
Kathryn, that is *great* news! Does this have to do with the new you? ;-)
Myself, I totally agree!
Tea Lady, I figured nobody would do it for me, so... LOL! and thanks!
No, it actually doesn't have to do with the *new* me. Yesterday was just another turning point in my life. Time for more growing and learning. :o)
Thank you for that post. Our lives are eerily identical in so many ways. Life is pretty interesting to say the least. And I was right. What you turn in January of next year is what I turn in November..alot a like my friend...a lot a like indeed. So happy to know of you...I thought my life was unique that way.
The last year has been quite the whirlwind, hasn't it?? Here's to a bight, shiny future!
Be very happy Anick, it's your time now.
xoxo
jen
Kathryn, you are one inspiring woman :)
Daring, sisters in crime? LOL :-D
Jen, awe thank you! and look who's talking - this year is for blossoming into a new life for many people who've worked long and hard for it - I hope you're celebrating, too!
Oh my goodness my eyes were welding up with tears as I read this. Not in a sad way, but in a happy one, as I have been through a lot in the past year.
I feel as I am trying to reinvent myself also, but don't feel that I am fully there yet. When you go through something so traumatic there is really no other way to pull your self out of the funk.
Your writing and vulnerability is beautiful. Thank you
Thank you, TD. I know there was a time when someone would probably say the opposite about me. I must say, my 30s have been awesome and I rather enjoy the learning and growing process.
Phenomenal.
That's what you did here with this post. Simply, simply phenomenal.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I am truly inspired (and humbled) by your words.
xoxo
Francesca
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