My personal and professional life collided after the age of 50 when I decided I'd somehow reinvent myself. The chapter of being a stay-at-home mom was coming to a close and I needed to ask myself some hard questions.
What do I want to do for the rest of my life that has purpose and meaning? What am I passionate about? What moves me? What makes me feel good? What satisfies my need to help others? How can I monetize what I love to do?
Getting back to doing the thing I loved most, writing, would lead me down a path of discovering new and interesting ways of using what I'm passionate about. The first step was to create and carefully cultivate my new blog, An Empowered Spirit. And so began the next chapter of my life.
Yet I've faced many obstacles while walking along my new path. Sometimes I'd stumble.
Trite cliches that urge people to live their hopes, dreams and passions can sell a lot of books. They can inspire popular Oprah-like movements that millions of people subscribe to. The reality is it's not really all that simple. It takes a lot of planning, tons of hard work and a whole lot of good luck.
And even then it might not happen.
Try as I might to work on my goals I've been invariably kicked around by illness. That's the biggest of all roadblocks. When I'm ill I don't get much work done and my goals begin to slip away.
Wellness takes over as my top priority.
Sometimes the obstacles seem almost insurmountable. When you're sick, it's a scary and isolating little island where you don't want to be. Trying to keep up the momentum of being creative and productive is in your mind's eye, but your body has different ideas.
As sad and frustrated as I've felt during difficult times I always believe in my heart of hearts that, as my father used to say, this too shall pass. I'm determined to build on what I already began, and that is the thought that keeps me going.
We do what we can, when we can by always trying to do the best that we can. It doesn't ever have to be perfect. It only has to be our personal best.
So I'll walk around my tiny island for a little while longer, until this current setback with kidney stones literally passes. I can't wait for it to be over and I'm gravel free again. I desperately want to re-join life in time to see the flowers bloom and feel the sunshine on my back.
If you're looking for me I'll be walking farther along my path. I can't wait to find out what's coming up next.
NOTE:To learn more about kidney stones (what they are, how to prevent them and what to do if you think you may have them) take a look at The National Kidney Foundation website.
Damn those kidney stones! You will feel so much better when they are completely gone. Your dad is right, this too shall pass, and the sooner the better. xoxo
Good luck with the kidney stones. Love the photos on this post and love all pondering on reinvention.
Love this Cathy! That's why I would love to feature you on my blog where I tell stories of women like you who have reinvented themselves in midlife. Please check out my blog and let me know. And hope you get over these #$%@ kidney stones soon. They are so painful!!
Oh, Cathy, I hate that you have to go through this. Blessings to you. ox
I, too, look forward to the next thing on your horizon! I am confident that you will recover from your latest setback and come out swinging!
In the meantime, feel better!
Cathy, you are the role model for reinvention and empowered spirit. You offer a voice of reality to counter the hype. Keep going, one step at a time. I admire you so much.
Yes, your Dad is so right.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
I think at this time in our lives we really value and plan our time. When something disrupts our plan or steals our time it is so frustrating.
And then theres the thought that health annoyances can be reminders to slow down.
Girlie, your life, our lives are teaching instruments, aren't they? You hold yourself with grace -- even with all of your frustrations-- and we all learn. I have had some health issues lately that have been a source of frustration to me--and am trying to get to the bottom of it with doctors and tests. I am learning the truth of the adage-- when you have your health you have everything. Fortunately, imam able to function, but pain does rob you of concentration and sometimes happiness. So I look forward myself to being pain free and not taking good days for granted. I know you know this lesson well. Hugs
Sorry about your kidney stones, Cathy. Our nephew had to deal with them throughout his teen years. It was a congenital condition that eventually required having a kidney removed. Fortunately, we can live with only one. I hope you're through this very soon and back to feeling great. You are so full of life, perhaps Doreen is right...this is God's way of telling you to slow down and take care.
I hope you feel better soon! I know it is discouraging to get down once again but just like you said "This too shall pass"!
Hello, I really enjoyed this last blog that I viewed on Linkin. I too, have been reinventing myself over and over, for people who are ill or have injuries, have to reinvent on a daily basis. I decided to start a business last year after a death in the family. I also was a typical mother, then caregiver for my family. Once my purpose for them was complete, I wanted to reinvent myself and start a business. It is hard at times, but it is very rewarding. Thanks for the encouragement that it takes to find that "purpose" after 50. Hope you recover faster than you think! Positive Energy sent your way!
Once again, inspiration for overcoming obstacles. I love your quote, "Wellness takes over as my top priority." It's a noble pursuit even in itself! Take good care Cathy. I hope this "shall pass" soon.
Cathy, I hope that you can get back to the life you imagine for yourself soon. I do understand the frustration you feel, although (aside from the usual MS stuff) my pain has been psychic rather than physical lately. I have been given something great to look forward to, to ease my pain. Your Dad is right, this too will pass. And when it does, you will given the same and more, and be ready to go onwards and upwards. Take care, my friend!
Cathy, I love what you wrote "We do what we can, when we can by always trying to do the best that we can. It doesn’t ever have to be perfect. It only has to be our personal best." You certainly embody this sentiment. Wishing you well, very soon.
Cathy, I'm not sure you have receiving my past comments. Not that it matters. Hope that kidney stones are on the move. My mom use to always say to me also,"and this to shall pass." Hang in there! You have many supporters out there! Be well! Janet Tancredi
You are inspiring. It is so difficult to walk the line of writing about disability and illness in the context of a full and challenging life. I have never allowed myself to be hospitalized due to depression or to be categorized by a mental health practitioner as having an official DSM-defined mental illness. But it is the same thing. But we just keep picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and getting back to doing what we love - writing - in spite of the hurdles that routinely pop up and that we have to find a way to leap.
When we don't feel well it seems like it will never end. I wish I could help somehow! Sending crushing (of the stones) thoughts and hugs.
I am so sorry you are dealing with this. People with great health are so blessed! It seems like some of us (especially you!) get hit right and left with issues. The important thing, is that you always get back up. xoxo
I feel you Cathy but you really got me here. "...it only has to be your personal best." Interesting thought because some days our best is better than others isn't it? We play the hand we see each morning and do the best we can that day, that moment, that blip in time. Very cool concept filled with hope.
Cathy, I love this post.and your honesty and wisdom. I always tell myself "it doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to BE." Thanks for reinforcing that message for me today--because I talk big, but I still demand a lot from myself and still struggle to forgive myself for "falling short." Those stones won't keep you down for long!
Cathy, there are days when I set the bar so low I trip over it. It's hard to give ourselves permission to have days like that, but that's how it is sometimes. I admire your spirit and your willingness to share both the good stuff and the struggles in the face of obstacles, big or small. You've got so many people pulling for you and believing in you--hope it offers some comfort on those low-bar days!
Cathy,
I can identify. I had 10 breast cancer surgeries and 8 rounds of chemo. At times, I thought it would never end. Actually my blog, tomorrow, is about just that and how the wildflowers helped me see past a body that was bone tired from breast cancer. I have not doubt that you will get there as well.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Oh Cathy, I know how frustrating it is when pain and illness sets roadblocks in our path. Some days all I could do was lay in a dark room too muddled to even think clearly, let alone put words on paper. What I have found is that after a horrible setback, if I can hang on and ride it out, when I am feeling better, I am filled with a burst of creativity and appreciation. I wishing that for you dear friend...there will be brighter days ahead...sending extra special hugs and sunshine from Switzerland.
Cathy, I'm so sorry that kidney stones has set you back. I know it has kept you from doing some long planned things. I'm always amazed by no matter how life knocks you down, that your sweet, strong spirit shines through. No doubt it is what makes you such a strong compassionate and empathetic woman. Hugs to you.
Hope you feel better soon. Go slow, read a good book, take time for yourself. Remember, as we say in yoga, "your body is your temple," and you need to take good care of it. Be well.
Cathy, congratulations on your reinvention. I feel blessed that I got to choose it instead of it forcing me to choose.
Cat,
Relate to the beautiful picture you painted with your words of isolated on an island of pain, sickness, etc. How true, how true. I miss your voice and thought of you and your family on Holocaust Remembrance Day. I hope you are feeling better now. did you go the Advocate
Forum in Chicago? Love ya!