Every woman that I’ve talked to is going through some type of transition. It doesn’t matter if she’s a woman in college, early in her career, late in her career, a new mom, newly divorced, becoming a grandparent, losing a loved one, or becoming a caretaker. Women tend to share more and as we share, I discover a common theme - a sense of losing and needing to re-find life’s purpose.
Sometimes women ask me “what’s next” as they reflect upon and reevaluate previous notions of their life purpose. I often reply with an analogy to a trapeze artist who is gripping two rings with both hands high in the air, and as she swings across to reach for the next ring with her right hand she releases the ring in her left hand. She hasn’t quite grabbed the second ring but she has let go of the first ring, leaving her body suspended in the air not knowing for sure what’s next. A question for you.
What if this is all there is and your purpose does not require a “next”.
I posed this question to a friend and she thought this was an awful consideration. To the contrary, this question brought a sense of freedom and joy to me. Don’t get me wrong. I am 52 now and I have gone through many transitions. (I know there are many more to come.) Some have been fun and some have been rather painful. But I have learned that life is lived one day at a time, and actually one moment at a time.
So, while you are suspended in the air during your life transition, I encourage you to trust and know that you will emerge from each transition wiser, more grateful, and more centered. You can find peace in knowing this.
Joy E. Mason, Author, Motivator, Accountability Partner
Joy E. Mason retired from corporate life at the age of 50 and quickly leveraged her new chapter by writing a book describing her inspiring and courageous journey to find her purpose,. While her faith, her family, and her loving husband have been her foundation, a painful lawsuit and the discovery of a brain tumor which can cause blindness have also been a part of her journey. These highs and lows sparked Joy's renewed commitment to live a more purposeful life.
Joy is the CEO/Founder of Optimist Business Solutions and is the author of "Purpose: A Shift from Driving It to Embracing It", "Purposeshift Journal: Healing with Nature" and "The Optimist Workbook: 5 Steps to Sustainable Solutions for Women in Business".