Available for Hire!
I have never let a setback keep me down (for too long); and I find I am reinventing myself with the best of them today! These past few weeks a major setback kicked me hard – in the face…then waited for me to get back up so it could kick me in the stomach. POW!!! I can hear you saying, “She works hard. She is successful. She is lucky.” And all that is true…but (there is always a but) even though I saw it coming…I could find no way to stop it nor lessen the repercussions. But I learned big time…getting the wind knocked out of my lungs is the ONLY way for them to understand just how much they like the taste of air! And man oh man, I love the taste of fresh, cool air!!!
“In a dream you saw a way to survive and you were full of joy.” ~by American conceptual artist Jenny Holzer
Because life is full of conversation, I don’t have to look very far for company. Many people I care for very much, or know just in passing, are experiencing this same reinvention process at the moment. Reinvention, at least for me, is a symbolic shedding of old skin and old thinking. Clinging to the old as it slips away is not productive. It is often painful to the max…but it is a necessary part of growth. And growing I am!!!
Here are some life lessons from my journey:
1-Become better and better at being yourself!
You have to be more of YOU…not less! Whaaaat? As I observe those I feel are successful at what I am trying to do, I have come to a jaw-dropping conclusion. They are masters at being themselves.
I am waiting for the time someone says, “She found herself in the right place at the right time.’
They didn’t wait for someone to say she was in the right place…they just knew they are and work it from that perspective. Hmmmmmmm!!
2- Sometimes a mistake is just a mistake. Keep playing girlfriend!
Yup, we all make mistakes…at every stage of our lives. We make decisions based on how others feel or taking into account the feeling of our family, spouses, children, etc. Then, when it all starts to fall apart or gets tough, they all blame you. Right? This often surprises us and sometimes makes us bitter? Know that it was just a miscalculation on your part and get back in the game.
3-Reach out-Keep Connected.
When you want to jump into the bed and cover your head…jumpstart a conversation instead. Reach out to someone who won’t judge you or try t fix the situation. When that panic hits, call and ask them to listen to you please. Then talk and talk. Most times you come to the right answer or best solution all by yourself. Isn’t this why psychiatrists earn the big bucks…for listening?
4-Be resilient, not resigned.
Stuff happens…sometimes life-altering stuff. At those moments make yourself take the time to pause, breathe and find the lesson therein. Now the lesson may be wrapped up in all manner and kinds of pain and chaos…but it’s in there somewhere in the mire. Never, I say NEVER, be resigned to your fate even when it pushes you to the limits of your tolerance! ARGGGHHH!!! Success is ALL about resilience.
4-The default state of life is failure.
Every life, lived well, is chock full of failure. Ask any successful person, go on…ask! Failure is the greatest teacher! Much is learned from learned from heartbreak and healing. Remember, if you let the NOs get you off track, you will never get to the YESes!
5-Consistency breeds momentum.
Keep on keeping on sister. Make adjustments and get back on that field…again and again until you find yourself in the right place at the right time.
Bottom Line of My Manifesto
I have wept bitter tears and wiped them away. In this time of disagreeable and unpleasant frustration, I found what matters most is how I respond to those setbacks, challenges and stressors. Being resilient for me means gaining clarity of purpose, searching out and walking other paths and finding other means to my goal. Will I make mistakes…probably. Will they be painful…hell yes. Will I survive…damn right I will. I am leaning into my full bright and bubbly personality. I practice resilience. Love. Work. Play. Enjoy. Be.
I am available for hire at the moment.
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