For many women as we grow closer to middle age, we’ve put our energy toward “other” priorities. Family. Home. Professional Career. This isn’t a bad thing. Simply choices we’ve made about what was most important to us at the time.Marianne Williamson wrote a book for women approaching the middle age mark. In The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife
she reminded me, “Whomever it is you were born to be, whatever lessons you were born to learn, now it is time to get serious and get going.”I know what she means by this. It’s true. I’ve been feeling a push to “get going” in a direction not dictated by logic, practical matters or reason for some time now—for about a decade actually. And I’ve been going “toward what I am supposed to be” for about as long.
My frustration is with the pace and that’s partly due to the “other” in my life—family and home—which to me is very important. I am seeing in the not too distance future (and with each passing year), I will have more time to “get serious and get going” and this thrills me. But also scares me too.
Maybe you too will be comforted by something else Marianne shared with her readers, “It’s not what’s happened in your life so far that has the power to determine your future.” She’s right. It’s so much more than your past. It’s a combination of the wisdom you have gained, your talents and strengths, your tenacity and yes, your courage to try something whether you are afraid or not.
Take a lesson from Marianne and forget about what you’ve tried before and why it didn’t work. Keep going after what it is you were born to be and do. I have to continually remind myself that it is the journey that is important.
And so I continue to balance life, work and family and I continue to make progress (although the pace at times might seem like that of a turtle) and move in the direction of my heart and aspirations.
This post is dedicated to mothers everywhere.
Allyn Evans
http://www.allynevans.com/
info at allynevans.com
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women advice, Marianne Williamson, Age of Miracles
4 comments:
I began plowing forward a few years ago, but fortunately I did not have a lot of 'other' in my life to hold me back. (i.e. - kids)
L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net
What a beautiful gift to give to Mother's everywhere, Allyn. To empower them and give them permission to live THEIR dreams. I truly believe if, we as woman, live our true calling, it will positively effect those around us and that is the ultimate gift as a mother and woman.
What a great post!! Loved it!!
~Barbara Techel
Author & Mom to Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
http://www.joyfulpaws.com
Thanks Diane and Barbara for commenting! I realized after the fact that the post was perfect for Mother's Day. :)
I think the important thing to remember is that we don't feed ourselves in ways that feel good, theyn we're not as good for those "others" in our life. This is an idea I didn't internalize until quite late. Wish I'd been using it when I was in my 20s and 30s, when family, career and whatevers needed me most.
Best,
Carolyn
Author of the award-winning This Is the Place
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