Badge of Joy
So that’s me back in my high school days…Always the animal lover… can’t believe my hair was ever that short!
Life hits you hard sometimes. And when I say I know, it’s true, I really do know. And that’s why when I also say that I know a path to help women work their way through some of life’s challenges, it’s because I’ve been there. I’ve experienced self-doubt; change catching you off guard; being frozen with fear; harsh self-judgement and criticism; feeling like you’ve missed your chance to follow your dreams; pain of sudden loss; procrastination; feeling overwhelmed with regret… Phew! That’s a lot of negative emotion to carry around… can you relate to any of this?
What better way to lighten the emotional feelings going on lately and especially with extra time on my hands, than to go through a few of my photo albums and enjoy some memories and maybe have a few laughs! So that’s me back in my high school days... always the animal lover… can’t believe my hair was ever that short.
I did laugh and I did cry a bit but going through my photos made me realize how time passes so quickly... how the dreams and hopes of a seventeen year old girl were not so very different than those of her adult counterpart... how the decisions and choices I made took me on a long winding journey, where I learned, loved, lost, and came out stronger.
At seventeen I didn’t think about all the possible ramifications of my choices very much. There was no internet, computers were a new sensation and life was simple. I loved music, concerts, art and dance. It was “normal” to go to college, get a job, get married, buy a house... etc. And that’s what I did but not in that order.
I started college right out of high school like all my friends, except I had no idea what to study. My childhood dream of being an artist was deemed impractical by family and most friends. I was guided towards liberal arts – the degree for those who can’t decide. Yup that was me. Eventually I decided on Drama. Then I changed it to German. Then I dropped out.
Without any real sense of direction or plans for my future, I got a job in retail. Dating and dancing were my two primary activities. I was young and it was fun for a while but it got boring. So I decided to get a real job – an office job to make myself feel more like an adult. At that time, without a college degree, the only options for me were clerical jobs with typing tests…LOL! But this was the beginning of a long, successful corporate career for me. I trusted my intuition.
Then I got married. Bought the house. Never had the 2.5 kids though but that’s a different story. I became a widow. Went back to school for that art degree. Got remarried and then once again returned to the corporate world for another 10 successful years.
All these twists and turns in life were meant just for me. They are the reason I am who I am today… a certified yoga teacher and holistic life coach. Yet if you had ever even suggested to me at the age of 17, that one day I might be a yoga teacher or a life coach, I would have said “no way, you’re crazy!”
And here I am because of the journey of my life... Because of the choices I’ve made through the years and because of my life’s circumstances. You know what? I couldn’t be happier or more excited about it. And that’s exactly how you should feel about your life too. Your journey is your badge of honor. Your badge of joy.
Now, sharing everything I’ve learned - believing in intuition, facing fears, letting go of self-doubt, finding self-compassion, along with yoga, yoga nidra, essential oils and meditation - I am finally where I belong and where that young girl in the photograph could only ever dream of being!
Life really does goes by in the blink of an eye. As human beings, especially as women, we should relax, explore, and expand our creativity. It could be journaling, it could be painting, it could be dancing, it could be practicing yoga, meditating or chanting... It’s different for everyone. But taking time for YOURSELF really is undervalued. ⠀
Always value yourself, your journey and your reasons for living. Remember, you can’t use your old thoughts & habits to create a new path... Imagine finding new ways to do things; things that excite you but maybe scare you at the same time.
What about you? Has your life’s journey brought you to a place of fulfillment? What is your intuition telling you? Are you wearing your badge of joy? I sure hope so!
