Camp HappyBadFun!

Seasons of Life

It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry for the long absence--life got in the way.

As most of you know, I started a new career as a real estate agent this year. It's been a wonderful adventure having spent the vast majority of the last 17 years with my energies focused on raising the boys.

Getting into real estate was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I'd known for 3 years that it was what i wanted to do, but frankly, I was worn out! I'd just finished 5 years of homeschooling and hadn't spent a single day without children in over 15 years. When the boys started back up in school I went to work part-time because I had absolutely NO idea what to do with all the free time I finally had! After a year of that, I knew it was time to honestly and truly rest. And I did. I took a holiday and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I explored the world through new music and art. I hung out with friends and ignored the phone. I quit caring if the laundry was done and went out and had some adventures. I discovered new ways of doing things and new ideas. I got out of my comfort zone and stretched my boundaries. In short, I lived.

As my world expanded, I was amazed to realize how stagnate I had become. It's easy to have happen when we are surrounded by people who think just like us, live just like us, act just like us. I've learned more about myself by being around people who are nothing at all like me. Though my core beliefs have remained firmly rooted, I've learned to appreciate people not just inspite of the difference but because of them.

Something else that's been remarkably liberating is the realization that I don't have to have all the answers! When I was in my 20's, I thought the whole idea was to know everything one could possibly know. By the time my 30's came along, I was pretty sure I had a solid grasp on life. Then the 40's hit and with it the absolute knowledge that I was a complete idiot for thinking I knew ANYTHING about ANYTHING! Disillusionment accompanied my new reality but not for long. I soon began to enjoy my newfound stupidity. "I don't know" became my freedom cry! How utterly and incomprehensibly wonderful it was to not have to know the answers to the great mysteries of life!

So my season of rest has come to an end as a new season begins. I love my job. I love meeting new people and I love knowing I'm going to be a GREAT real estate agent! My mentor agent and I spend more time laughing than working and I can't believe I've lived this long without her in my life. I simply adore this woman!

So life is good around these parts. We're still in the adjustment stage as we try to figure out how to be in 3 places at once but the beauty of it all is that I don't have to figure anything out I just have to enjoy the journey!

Posted by PamCHBF at October 23, 2005 08:04 PM | TrackBack