36 Years of Living!

“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher 

I am approaching my 36th birthday this month.  I do believe everything in my life continues to get better with age. I don’t fear aging. I have more insight into who I am meant to be in this world. I have greater respect for my body. I continue to be blessed with abundance. Although I sometimes miss the simplicity of life before kids, motherhood is a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything. As I learn more and more about me, I feel a deeper connection to the world around me. Here are a few things I’ve come to realize in my these trips around the sun.

Everyone is unique.

I’ve always felt this in my soul, but didn’t always believe it. God gave us unique fingerprints for a physical reminder that each person on this planet is their own person purposefully put here. Each of us are a unique design.  However, I spent much of my late teens and early 20s trying to fit in. To be the same as everyone else and stay the course. When I spiraled into a deep depression, it was my wake up call that being like everyone else wasn’t for me. I was not being true to myself in those years leading up to being clinically depressed. And my body let me know that through an imbalance in my brain.  As I reflect back on 36 years and look to the future, I pray more people return to connecting with their unique selves.  I believe it is how the world can heal itself. We are each here on purpose with talents unique to each of us. Let’s stop trying to all be the same and instead use the talents we were gifted to work together for a better world for us and for our children.

Not everyone will understand me. And that’s ok. 

One part of my life that I enjoy is business travel. I am a mom. And I travel for work about once per month right now. This works for my husband and I. I know that others don’t feel the same way about a mom traveling regularly, and at first I felt like I should commiserate with them by feeling guilty about being away from my kids. But that isn’t the truth for me. I don’t feel guilty being away. I do miss my family by the second night away, but generally speaking, am present where I’m at.  I’ve seen my husband’s bond with our 2 girls strengthen since I started work travel. I am generally the default parent and this has opened the door for him to be that regularly for a few days each month. I share this example because it is one thing in my life that makes sense to me. Within my marriage. And if it makes sense to us, it doesn’t matter what other people think.

Using my voice.

Everyone has a voice. I’ve found a way to use mine. In my career, I’ve had incredible success since I started using it. I moved up into a dream role. I did it through telling people where I wanted to go and speaking up with my ideas along the way.  If I hadn’t used my voice, I’d be in a very different spot. This blog is another way. I feel incredibly called to help other women, moms specifically, find themselves after earning the title of “Mom”. As soon as I start writing, it’s like my soul lights up. I know I’m meant to be sharing on this platform right now. Who knows where it will go? But if I continue to use my voice, I know it will all be as it should. 

By age 37…

Maybe by age 37 I’ll know even more about who I am and share other wisdom that is top of mind when that calendar page turns.  But for now, 36 is coming and I’m ready for wherever this year takes me.