I have noticed a recent energetic shift in myself and among my friends as we race through our forties. No longer content with the choices we made as teenagers, we are answering the call of who we were meant to be, before life and all of its obligations took control of the steering wheel and we crawled into the back seat, content to ride instead of steer. Like bumper cars, we bounced off other people and their needs. Some of this was necessary. Those who married, had children, or ailing parents, needed to meet the needs of those relationships. But now, in the middle of our lives, enough experience beneath our belts to have a little spunk, we have started to listen to the directional map we were born with.
For me it was like a tribal drum beat that sounded in the distance, faint, but clearly calling me. And then, my own heart began to catch its rhythm and answer back. I had to know if I had any talent as a writer. I had to write about the life I knew and would experience in the future. I answered the call. Off to France for a writing class and the instructor unlocked my imprisoned muse, setting her free to be the scribe she needed to be.
For my friend Frog, the calling was singing. With a completely different career path, she sang in choirs, dinner theaters, just for fun. But, while I was hearing my drummer, she was hearing her own. She is now singing with Opera companies, and beautifully I might add. And completely happy.
Another friend is starting her own consulting business. Two others are racing off to teach in a foreign country, while another has started her own jewely line; designs by Tookie!
This is no accident. I believe we reach middle age, approach menopause, and find our minds are freed and our souls laid open. We suddenly realize we are half done with life, maybe it is even more than half over. If we want to make wine, how many vintages will we have to experiment with? We suddenly cannot not answer our own calling, that tribal drum beat that calls for action, a lead role in our own lives, must be answered.
Maybe you are living your dream. I hope so. If not, find the bliss within you and go for the long shot. You have nothing to lose except the life you were meant to live, your true calling. That’s worth taking a chance for. Enjoy the journey.
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
Writingfeemail's Blog 