There have been a few significant life events or realizations over the past eight years that have significantly changed my life and work. One was when I turned 55, the age my mother was when she died. The second was when I turned 60. The third was during a session with a client. Now I am able to see how it all fits together perfectly.
I relaunched my business in 2012, when I turned 55, the same age my mother was when she died. I do this work to honor her memory, and the legacy of all the strong women that came before her. My work, each and everyday has meaning and purpose. Though, it came upon me with an unexpected bang, and without a safety net. Once I committed there was no turning back. It took a few years to reeducate my clients and prospects, but I had to continue.
On that birthday, I wrote my mom a letter and in it I wrote ‘i’m not done yet’. Right then I had the revelation. Why not rebrand and rename my firm with focus on helping clients remain relevant, resilient and remarkable? So I did. It was both hard and easy, and eight years and counting, it is still thriving.
With the relaunch, I began using alliterations often with words that begin with the letter ‘R’. I didn’t know why I was drawn to words that began with R. I realized that this too is an homage to my mother, whose name was Racene. Are you relevant, resilient, radiant and remarkable?
Then five years later I turned 60! After having a milestone birthday, I declared that this was the year I was going to do things that scare me and push me way out of my comfort zone. So, I registered for my first triathlon. That was scary enough, but couple that with no ability to swim and a fear of the deep water, and you have a double header of uncomfortableness and fear!
After months (at times it felt like years) of training, and sometimes complaining ‘it’s too hard’, I completed the triathlon and then did another last year. Both times it took my village to get me from fear to finish. Both were a success. The second time I was 8+ minutes faster. Both times I wasn’t visited by a medic. Success! #IAmATriathlete
So if you tell me you can’t or you’re too old or you’re afraid, or whatever your excuse is, I can tell you that you can feel uncomfortable or embarrassed or fearful or less than, and still show up and accomplish.
A few weeks back while I was in session with a client, I had another insight. We were talking about hobbies and inspiration. I shared with her my love of photographing flowers ever since I was a girl. She reminded me that both my first and middle names are flowers – Rose of Sharon and Iris. I was literally born with this passion. It is interesting that up until that moment, I had not put that notion together. Of course, I would have this interest.
Insights and understanding come from the places you least expect.
Are you ready to reimagine a different future for yourself?
Everyone needs to be reminded that they are never too old and it is never too late! This is my work, this is my passion, and this is my life. Everyone can learn how to thrive through change and find the courage to lead a relevant, resilient, radiant and remarkable life. Age and gender bias are still very prevalent. Anyone can cultivate a refreshed courageous perspective on aging, engagement, work and life.
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”― Eleanor Roosevelt