The response to my Denver TV appearance has been astounding! I felt there were a lot of people out there just like me, and this proves it. I’m sorry to hear if you feel stuck in midlife hell, but you came to the right place to commiserate.
I can offer you understanding but so much more. I can offer you hope to get beyond this bad time in your life and move on to your best life ever.
For most of us this feels like a crisis of astronomical proportions, but it is in fact a very well disguised opportunity to reinvent yourself and your life. First of all, don’t over react. I know when I lost my job for the first time at age 48, I felt the end was near. I felt like a total failure.
But amazingly enough, life went on. I still got up everyday, fed the dogs, ate my breakfast, and spent hours trying to figure out what’s next for me. I had a favorite question on my frig back then:
If you could have, do, or be anything right now, what would you ask for?
I started making lists of all of my secret career dreams I’d stuffed away for decades, because they seemed too crazy or risky and besides, I’d been too exhausted in my old career to think much about anything else.
I decided it was time to dream again, like I had as a kid when I felt like I could become anything. I remembered who I really was, and allowed my authentic self to be heard again.
What did I come here to do? What special talents do I uniquely hold and provide me with everything I need to realign my work life with my heart and mind? What needs do I see in the world that inspire me to take action, think outside the box, and use my gifts to make a difference?
My whole life I’d been taught to be practical, be realistic and don’t be a dreamer. Look where that got me! I decided to stop hiding from myself and my true needs. Stop thinking: “Who am I to try a new career at this point in life? And start asking: Who am I to ignore my gifts and miss the work I came here to do?
It was time to let go of my old story, quit telling myself how hopeless it all was and move on. My new direction only revealed itself when I opened my heart to ALL OF MY POSSIBILITIES and then I took a few baby steps everyday to realize that potential.
I know none of this is easy to deal with, but you are fighting the battle for your life now. You do not want to find when it comes time to die, that you have not lived up to your full potential. You have lots more years ahead of you so spend them wisely!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
*stands up and applauds*
There are so many moments of self doubt and self deprecation, so your words that life keeps on keeping on are simple and true. I need the reaffirmation that I what I am feeling is normal, but needs to be kept in perspective.
It seems, by observation, many are aware of their gifts, experience and change ability. With sometime unhappy lives, or un-achieved potential, they seem eo be waiting for someone or something to “PULL” them out of a rut. While this happens sometime, take advise of a song lyric……. “Take a look in the man in the mirror” and have a talk.