Michele, this landed. Especially the part about stopping to measure life by where we thought we'd be. That measuring stick was never ours to begin with — someone handed it to us and we carried it for decades without questioning whether it was even pointing in the right direction.
The chapter that feels so different feels that way because for the first time it's actually ours. That's not unsettling. That's the whole point.
This really spoke to me, Michele. I'm 59, and lately I've been thinking a lot about where I thought I would be by this point in my life compared with where I actually am. I'm learning that doesn't mean my best years are behind me. There is still time to learn, grow, dream, and build something meaningful from where I am now. I especially loved your reminder that we don't have to measure our lives by where we thought we'd be. Thank you for sharing this.
Malisia - my sincere apologies for not responding sooner to your lovely comment! I am so happy to hear that what I shared resonated with you. And yes - there is still so much time - I feel even MORE time now than years ago when we held other roles and had people who needed our attention. At least, this is my experience. I am grateful for those times, I treasure those times AND I move forward into exciting new times because that's the intention that I am putting out there. Here's to us - let this be our time!
Thank you, Michele. I love that — “let this be our time.” That's exactly where my heart is right now. I'm learning that we don't have to look at this season as being too late. We can appreciate where we've been and still be excited about what we're building next. Here's to us!
You wrote, "They aren’t the chapters we planned. They’re the ones that invite us to grow in ways we never expected." I agree! We are so used to planning everything. I struggled with closing the long chapter of child-raising, until I allowed myself to mourn the end. Then I invited myself to contemplate the blank page of the next chapter. The exciting possibilities. What resonated with my heart and soul. Thanks for sharing!
Terri - I'm glad what I wrote resonated with you - and I thank you for sharing your view and your wisdom! How many of us feel the best is behind us? I feel that the best is still ahead and as you shared filled with exciting possibilities - if we choose to see it that way. And I do - so glad to hear you do as well.
Michele, this landed. Especially the part about stopping to measure life by where we thought we'd be. That measuring stick was never ours to begin with — someone handed it to us and we carried it for decades without questioning whether it was even pointing in the right direction.
The chapter that feels so different feels that way because for the first time it's actually ours. That's not unsettling. That's the whole point.
Here's to the chapters we create next.
Amen- so beautifully said Debbie! Thank you for adding in your thoughts and your wisdom!
This really spoke to me, Michele. I'm 59, and lately I've been thinking a lot about where I thought I would be by this point in my life compared with where I actually am. I'm learning that doesn't mean my best years are behind me. There is still time to learn, grow, dream, and build something meaningful from where I am now. I especially loved your reminder that we don't have to measure our lives by where we thought we'd be. Thank you for sharing this.
Malisia - my sincere apologies for not responding sooner to your lovely comment! I am so happy to hear that what I shared resonated with you. And yes - there is still so much time - I feel even MORE time now than years ago when we held other roles and had people who needed our attention. At least, this is my experience. I am grateful for those times, I treasure those times AND I move forward into exciting new times because that's the intention that I am putting out there. Here's to us - let this be our time!
Thank you, Michele. I love that — “let this be our time.” That's exactly where my heart is right now. I'm learning that we don't have to look at this season as being too late. We can appreciate where we've been and still be excited about what we're building next. Here's to us!
Amen!! 🩵
You wrote, "They aren’t the chapters we planned. They’re the ones that invite us to grow in ways we never expected." I agree! We are so used to planning everything. I struggled with closing the long chapter of child-raising, until I allowed myself to mourn the end. Then I invited myself to contemplate the blank page of the next chapter. The exciting possibilities. What resonated with my heart and soul. Thanks for sharing!
Terri - I'm glad what I wrote resonated with you - and I thank you for sharing your view and your wisdom! How many of us feel the best is behind us? I feel that the best is still ahead and as you shared filled with exciting possibilities - if we choose to see it that way. And I do - so glad to hear you do as well.