The Second Journey is a second chance. Most women have lived the first half of their life in a prescribed manner. By the time she approaches the midway point she is more than ready for her turn. The Second Journey is a roadmap back to the self. The following exercises have been used successfully by thousands of women who were determined to find out who they were beyond the roles that they played.
Exercise 1
The wake-up call begins with a change-either change thrust upon you or an inner knowledge that you must make a change. What has occurred in your most recent life? Have you been betrayed, received a frightening diagnosis, experienced a major loss, been made to part with something precious? When a large change occurs we often have a crisis of feelings that is so great we are stopped in our tracks. This is a good thing. A woman caught thusly finally needs to stop being the invisible sustainer to those around her and tend to herself. Going away, retreating even for a day, will bear fruit in the form of initial answers, subtle direction, and in time, new dreams and fresh purpose will become evident. As St. Augustine said: "The unexamined life is to wasted life." I believe that at the end of every year we need to look back and account for all that has occurred so that we can not only celebrate what we've achieved, but begin to evaluate what can be left behind.
What has occured in your life recently that's made you stop in your tracks? What causes you to reevaluate your life?
Stay tuned for next week's exercise...
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The Second Journey: The Road Back to Yourself is the currently featured book in the Getting Better All The Time group. Written by Joan Anderson, it's a story about finding yourself and what's important in your life. To join the group and stay on top of all of the new articles and excerpts, click here.
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Comments: 38
How amazing and how wonderful to see in print. I,too, through growth and change and looking at my accomplishments, my shifting ideals, my recognized gifts am able to sit up straight and say, damn I'm OK, infact I amaze myself. Joan
Got married late in life, he left after 10 or so years and then ,my life, my horse of 22 years had and accident, lingered with Laminitis a few weeks and I had the toughest time of my life. He had to go. Wrote a book, published, and it is still ongoing, as is my life.
Had to get control back and take charge to keep on keeping on!
I try to evaluate things on a regular basis - I have a journal I've kept on a near-daily basis for the past eight years, and I like to see what patterns emerge in my life and how I break through rough patches and move on.
Good question- this sounds like a very helpful book!
My life is quite good where it is at the moment but it could be so much better if only I put in the effort...may be in the exercises to come we could learn techniques to motivate ourselves.
It was at that time, about six months ago, that I realized I needed to take care of me. I knew that already, but at that point I had to accept that my son's special needs exceeded my motherly abilities...that's tough.
Seriously, this is good advice I think I'll have to stick around to see what's next.
Sounds like you had your second journey launch when you knew the first marriage had to end. When it is obvious that change is inevitable and the only way to deal all sorts of new adventures fall in our lap. This culture doesn't encourage people to change readily but when we do, voila...life becomes right for thosse of us who dare. Joan
Isn't it amazing how being open to "the word"...any word can spark an individual idea that leads to new direction. The idea is to keep listening--both to others that impart wisdom, and to our own internal wisdom. Joan
There is a time when we need to accept what is outlived in our lives in order to make room for all that is unlived. Motherhood and imparting our wisdom to our children is one of those. It is so hard to let go and yet that is the only way. When I look at my beloved seals here on Cape Cod and watch them push their young into deep water to swim for their life I am reminded that that is what I am meant to do with my sons.Now remember, if it is in a woman's nature to nurture she must nourish herself. You've given your life to your kids..have some life for yourself now. Joan
Joan
In this last part of my life I think I have found myself, by giving myself to others. I volunteered and worked with Alzheimer's victims and found it most amazing, that the people with Alzheimer's were better off than me. They didn't worry over money or what war we were in. They respond only to love.
I once was someone who enjoyed country club living, golf, parties etc. I was full of fear, unhappily married in the big beautiful four bedroom center hall colonial. I was unhappy and left the marriage.
I find the poorer I get in money the richer I become in life. To find yourself you must give yourself to others. This is what I have found.
I'm reading, "Second Journey" now, enjoying it very much. Thank you for writing your words of wisdom. I also think that in writing we learn more of our inner SELF. This journey is simply marvelous, isn't it?
Rose
Joan
Joan
Joan
What I've always believed is this: First comes the pain. After the pain, comes experience. With experience, comes insight.
I must have been practicing this from a very early age because I am good at not letting things get to me.
Otherwise, we would all lose our center.
I think it's great that nothing gets to you. It sounds like you're at the end of your journey.
I support a family of 5 by myself, commute 4 hours a day and I am pushing 50. Recently my co-worker died at the age of 50. It has me thinking about my own life alot and where my own dreams went. I spend all my time worry about everyone elses needs, or finances (how will I make the mortgage this month) I think I lost me, where did Hollie go? I recently bought a Journal and have started to write. I found the first couple of pages totally stupid. I could only write what I had to eat for the day. However, slowly I am making my journal my new best friend. I really want to find me again.