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My Story
I entered my Second Act with an identity crisis
in tow. Within the span of a few short years, my entire life was turned upside down. My long-term marriage ended, and with it, the
lifestyle which defined who I was. Everything I loved revolved around my family. Family gatherings, country living, raising horses. Gone. My
marriage was over and my children were becoming adults and starting lives of their own. I moved away from the home I had helped design and build.
From mini-farm living to an apartment. The comfort of family and familiarity was suddenly and irretrievably gone. Even my grandmother with whom I
shared a very strong bond moved away to join my parents in
Florida.
There I was. Feeling very much alone and
not quite knowing who I was anymore. I had always defined myself as a wife, mother, and homemaker. The fact that I worked outside
the home was not part of my internal compass. It was a job. All that changed.
Suddenly work was all I had. And work I
did. Six days a week, twelve hours a day. By all outward appearances, I was successful. I built a beautiful new home, drove a
great car, had a good income, and was investing for my future. But I was not at peace with myself. In my mind, I was living someone else's
life.
The Prayer of Serenity had been my mantra for
years.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."
It
was the courage to change that was so difficult. My life was controlled by the fear of "what ifs." But that was about to
change.
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