Opportunity jumped at me this fall and I took it. Why should I not be surprised at myself. The reason is, for the past 8 years I have focused my energy on living the life I dreamed of. At least as close as I could come to those dreams and aspirations, while sitting in an office balancing budgets, raising children and meeting mortgage payments during the 70's, 80, 90's. At 53 I found a second calling (interior decorating); I became my own boss and I could only look to myself to find the road map to what lie ahead.
This fall I booked and planned a Food and Wine tour to Sicily. My joy is in my decorating but my reward is in my adventure. AND THEN...my girlfriends said "come meet us in Provence"! I found a way! I did both! They just knew I would jump at the chance of a good adventure! This was not about leaving my clients behind or forgetting my purpose and core responsibilities. It was becoming better at what I do for my clients and better at seeing life from all angles!
I remember moments of dreaming of the "what if". As a child looking at the clouds and wondering what was behind them. As a teenager going to see "Gidget Goes to Rome" and imagining what it would be like to stand amongst Roman ruins, with James Darren, of course! I think now, this was an early indicator of my inner desire for adventure. The joy in experiencing things and places not previously known to me. Why did I take off with my backpack at 19 and travel the world for a year? What made me decide to volunteer at being a "Caring Clown" and have to meet sick children and their parents with a funny costume, painted face and a name of Taffy once a week for over a year? I believe it came from within, my spirit, nudging me to go discover what was behind the clouds.
Look back, at your dreams.
