“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” – Alan Cohen
I thoroughly enjoyed presenting at NoCoNet yesterday morning and making some new friends! Brian Schwartz, Gordan Nuttall, Randy Berry and I discussed all that we had learned from trying something new and different, the 50 Interviews process of career change.
I love to hear inspirational stories, and these three fellow midlife sojourners are full of those! They are unique in how they have been willing to find the courage within to leave their own comfort zone in midlife, engage in a journey of self-discovery, and then take their discoveries one step further, into their personal and work lives.
One thing is for sure, there is no security in what is no longer meaningful for you. I worked as an academic librarian for 25 years. I found some meaning in that work. But when I lost my job in 2004, that pursuit had lost it’s meaning for me. When you continue to work at a job that has lost it’s meaning for you, you no longer serve your clients or yourself well. But how many of us have the courage and creativity to reinvent at age 40, 50 or 60?
I loved when one participant asked: “In 50 word or less, what is the process of changing your life?” This is so individual, but for me it was having the freedom and time (provided by severance pay and unemployment) to sit alone with myself and contemplate it all. Where had I been? Why had I made those choices so long ago? And where do I need to go next? More importantly, do I have the courage to fully explore ALL of my options at such a late date?
For some this process can be overwhelming. There may be many regrets of wasted time, relationships that failed, and strong fears of finding no better options now. But how will you ever know until you go on the search to find a better life for yourself?
The only thing I know for sure is:
“You miss 100 percent of all the shots you never take.” – Wayne Gretzky
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I also found the question “In 50 word or less, what is the process of changing your life?” to be insightful. For me, it is knowing with certainty that there is a divinely-designed purpose for my life that goes beyond me and what I want to acquire/accomplish for myself and satisfying that ego within me. It’s knowing that our God, our creator, loves each and every one of us as son and daughter unconditionally. There is no job or other circumstance on this earth that can take that away. That’s a gift that is freeing and life changing!!!
Good note Gordon! Somewhere along the line similar information made it’s way to me:” I am a perfect Child Of God, in whom He is well pleased” not because of anything I have done or said or thought but because of who He is. I am changing my Life to embrace every person, place and thing with Love. Not because of who they are, where they are or what they are but because I want to live my Life that way. It makes forgiveness possible for so many of the disappointments of the past. Incredibly Freeing!
We live, we learn, we grow.
Brad