As I approach half a century on this magical globe rocketing through the universe I must say, it’s been quite a ride. And I am so grateful.
I always loved to write, and I have been blessed to publish a book, post a weekly blog, and work as a copywriter and communications specialist.
I always knew I wanted to be a mom and I have been gifted with three wonderful children who challenge me, inspire me, teach me, and love me. A gift that can’t be bought.
I always enjoyed travelling and I have been lucky to visit countries like Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Portugal and many parts of the United States and Canada. My passport is a prized possession because it allows me to fly, literally and figuratively.
I always adored reading and I have travelled to many places and eras through the pages of countless books. This recently led me to join an outstanding group of local women in a book club that has brought me laughs, learning and lifelong friendships.
I saw the same quote in two books I was reading, minutes and pages apart this week. It was when Lao Tzu said, “Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter’s place.”
That master carpenter, the universe, a higher power. We are just small souls in an immeasurable galaxy.
We can take action, set goals, make plans. We can read a page a day, walk ten minutes a night, set boundaries, say no, say yes and cut carbs. But we can’t control everything.
The most important thing to realize is that the world is moving on, with or without us. The time is now. As Epictetus wrote, “From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think best a law that you never set aside. And whenever you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer.”
Do what you want, what makes your heart sing, what brings you joy. And don’t worry what other people think.
As Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Get into the arena and dare to live the life you want. Here’s to 50 more years of waking up and trying again.