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(Updated January 13, 2019)
Backstory
In simpler days, people pretty much stayed who they were and where they were. If you were a farmer, you stayed on a farm. An attorney remained in the law. A nurse kept caring for patients. Today, the marvel of available education allows us to decide who and where to be, at any time during our life. You can reinvent yourself over and over during a long lifetime. Watching a friend do that, is what led to this story.
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Shedding Her Skin – #03
She was moving out of the home she had lived in for decades; feeling like a snake shedding its skin.
She hated leaving the well read books, but knew she had extracted from the musty bindings, all their wisdom and wizardry.
Parting with the clothes was hard. From bargains never worn, still bearing tags, to favorites now worn to a thread. And the photos; surely precious heirlooms, every one.
She packed boxes of souvenirs and somehow started to feel free. A burden lifted. A life simplified. Nothing important given up, just stuff now getting in the way.
As she lightened her load, she planned her future. What a surprise! The snake that shed its skin had morphed into a golden eagle, just beginning to spread her wings.
P.S.
We are so blessed to live to the current age. So many people in their fifties are switching careers or taking on entirely new tasks. Those of us in the sixties or seventies are reinventing ourselves at will, backed by the health, education and stamina to do so. My friend, the golden eagle, made her mark on the world after rediscovering her talents and abilities and gaining the courage to proclaim them. Have you done something similar?
[Show #03]
How liberated your friend must feel. I want to be that person. When I downsized, I ended up gradually and unconsciously replacing given-away items wth bigger/better stuff. BIG mistake. I’m back at Square one. Geez…
you know what’s more fun? Collecting memories instead of stuff.
Annette, my friend. Loved today’s thoughts. Found it very relevant to my own
journey at this stage of my life.
Wishing you inspiration in your decision making, John.
I love this message, and it is one I have promoted myself in past writings: “It’s Never Too Late To Reinvent Yourself” (http://www.seniorcorrespondent.com/articles/2012/07/25/its-never-too-late-to-reinvent-yourself.450896). Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Sometimes I think it’s not so much about reinventing ourselves as it is about realizing how complex we are and just discovering new aspects of our truest selves. That has got to be one of the gifts of aging! As one of my favorite authors, Parker Palmer, says, “There’s always a next.”
Boy! do we know about getting rid of things…shedding our skin, and reinventing our lives.
Unexpected health issues will do that for everyone involved! Luv….
One step at a time and it somehow all comes together, Elsie.
Love the Palmer quote – and your article in Senior Correspondent.
After the joy of publishing my Christmas story book, I’m wondering, “What next?” for me. Can’t wait to find out.
Watching your stellar achievements, to find out “What’s next” for you too.
Whoops, I think another Consider This story was just hatched.