Sometimes I think a midlife crisis occurs to remind us not to waste our own special gifts and talents. If, by chance, we have happened into a marriage, job or career earlier in our lives that seemed right at the time, but is oh so inappropriate now, we may be trying to ignore all the intriguing possibilities before us. Don’t give up your innate gifts simply because you feel stuck in a rut.
I know paychecks are attractive and also quite necessary these days, but what about the rest of your time? Can you see yourself in this marriage or job forever? How does that make you feel inside? Go with your gut reaction. If you are feeling yucky right now, please allow yourself to consider other options.
If you are in a marriage that is bad for you, you know it. You may have known it for years. Is this it for the rest of your life? Don’t get bought off by nice houses and fine vacations (like I did!) I was struck by a line in my novel Loving Frank yesterday: “I was married to a doctor. I had fine china and lovely rugs on the floor. One day I woke up and thought,
‘What have you done with your gifts? You’ve traded them for furniture!’”
Same goes for your job. Yes, you do have some sort of “security” with your job, but what are you giving up for that sense of security? Perhaps if you were willing to give up a little bit of security for a short period of time, you would get in return your entire life back. When was the last time you felt completely alive and full of creative energy? When was the last time you felt your own life force bubbling up, ready to take on some exciting and creative project?
And it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition. So many times I’ve wondered why I didn’t at least try freelance writing while I was still working as a librarian. There was basically no risk involved. Why didn’t I believe in myself enough to throw my hat in the ring and give it a shot? Because I didn’t believe in myself and my gifts. I didn’t believe that anyone would ever pay me for doing what I love to do, so I suffered in silence until I got fired.
Don’t wait! Start today exploring the world inside of you. What do you love, but feel certain could never pay the bills? Make a plan to at least experiment with that wild, creative part of your soul. Free yourself up and ask yourself: What do I really need to do before I die? What will I regret never having done?
Time’s a wastin’…
The distance is nothing. It is only the first step that is difficult.
