In 2008 I found myself in a whirlpool of life turmoil, things changing almost daily, my direction changing like a weather vane in a strong wind. If you would have described my life today to me nine months or so ago, I would have told you, "No way!" I've always had a pretty strong sense of where I'm going and what my goals are and what I'm focused on, but it seems like my season of change hit in 2008, and I've found myself having to laugh (when the alternative is girly tears), at where I am, and try to find steady footing, and my direction.
I am an avid reader, and have found myself working in a wonderful book store, while going back to school for a complete career change - not something I would have seen myself doing as I get closer to 40 than "mid-30's".
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine yesterday who told me that her year of 2008 was life changing, and that she had decided that 2009 was going to be better, that she knew where she was going, and although it was going to take her a while to get there, she knew she would achieve her goals.
That made me realize something I guess I knew already, that achieving life goals don't necessarily have anything to do with where you are right now - but rather, where you are going.
I feel as if I'm on the tail-end of the whirlwind of 2008, and am finally gaining some stable footing, although different from where I've been, and am pointed in a direction, and have a clearly identifiable goal and time frame in which to complete my goal. Just acknowledging that doesn't necessarily make day to day life easy or even easier some days, but knowing what my long-term goal is, and how my short-term goals, my day to day living and choices, affect my long-term goal, I'm beginning to feel some hope and even some progress.
I love what Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said in my introductory quote about it not mattering as much where you are at this very moment, as much as it matters what course you are on - in what direction you are headed.
My life is very different right now than I could have possibly imagined, but I'm not without direction and long-term goals. This gives me comfort, and hope. I've stepped "down" in some ways, but have gained so much in others, and learning to accept what I've gained in the trade, and let go of what I thought was important before has been key in my recognition of my new direction.
Perhaps your 2008 was a bit like mine, or perhaps you will find yourself in that season of change this year, but whatever you do, don't give up, keep your chin above water, paddle like heck underneath, and make sure you have a definable direction and goal. So, to all of us who are coming out of the whirlwind of change, congrats for staying strong and holding on, and for those of us who are facing it, or find ourselves in the "eye of the storm", tough it out, rely on your friends, and know that it is a season, and it will pass!!!
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
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