Gift of a New Venture

All it takes is another birthday to serve as a reminder that life is way too short. Unless we start doing the things we’ve always wanted to do today, we may run out of time. Yes, starting something new is scary and so very easy to put off until “tomorrow”. But every single one of us should be more afraid of never trying than of failing. Because what is failure, really? A bump in the road? Even if we do encounter some failures along the way, the result is almost always less devastating than the stories we tend to create inside our own heads.

The seasons will change. To get the most out of this big, beautiful life we are blessed to live, we need to continue to change and grow, too. Bravely deciding to take that next step will feed your soul.

What is it they say about hindsight? It’s always 20 / 20. I recently turned 52 years old. As I look back at my adult life, it seems there are definite compartments.

My twenties included embarking on a new career, a marriage, a first home, and eventually the kiddos began to arrive.

My thirties are a bit more of a blur. We were raising our family and navigating the world of work. Looking back, it was a decade of doing what we thought had to be done. There was some dreaming but little pursuing of things outside of the box. Now, it feels a bit like a “lost decade”.

My forties brought about a change in my outlook. It no longer felt like I could keep coasting through life if I really wanted to live a life of my own design. My bookshelves started filling with books focused on self-improvement, goal setting and the Law of Attraction. Never having  journaled much before, suddenly there were half-filled notebooks all over the house. I started a side gig and it was invigorating to realize I really did have the ability to have more control over my life, but only if I started to consciously make different choices.

Now, in my early fifties, I have every intention of doing more new things on a regular basis. This includes trying to help others live their best lives. I would love to go back to my thirty-year-old self and push myself harder to fill each day with more variety and less routine.

Don’t misunderstand, those were happy years and I was never miserable. I’ve just come to realize there is so much joy to be found in busting out of the routine. I can’t go back, but I can encourage others to dream big, get started now, and don’t waste any more time.

• If you want to travel, don’t wait. Go out and see the world.
• If you want more friends, go make some. Find new people that enjoy the things you enjoy.
• If you want more money, develop another stream of income.
• If you want a family, be open to love and be creative in what “family” means to you.
• If you want to have more fun, do something fun today and plan for something fun tomorrow.
• If you want to feel healthier, skip the junk food and eat some fresh produce.

 
Or don’t. It’s all up to you.

I posted this on the wall in my home office to serve as a daily reminder that I’m in charge of designing my days and, ultimately, my life.
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Last week I started a new book I’m sure I’m going to love: Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. I’m only a few pages in but the author’s words are already resonating with me. She is quick to point out she’s not perfect, no one is, but she’s learned to ditch the excuses. Get out there and do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Only you can take the steps necessary to live the life you want to live. No one else can possibly do that for you. Stop making excuses and get on with it!

Fall can be a great season to try something new. Think back to when you were a kid. Most kids feel a mix of fear and anticipation (although many won’t admit to the anticipation part) as they start a new year. It's always uncomfortable to start something new. But the amount of growth those kids will experience between now and next spring can be phenomenal. It could be the same for you, if you just start now.

Even though the school supply aisles are already pretty picked over, I encourage you to go buy yourself a stack of the cheap composition notebooks. There are always fun colors and they are great for journaling. There is still time to accomplish great things in 2018. Usually new ventures take some planning. Put together your plan, get started (because a plan sitting in a pretty yellow notebook is worthless if you don’t take action), take at least one step a day, and redirect as needed. 
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Friday evening, we witnessed our son take the first step in a huge new adventure – marriage. It was a beautiful day following months of planning. There were nerves and anticipation early in the day leading to a heartfelt ceremony full of joy and love, capped off with celebrating, fun and dance. We often feel all these emotions when we undertake a new venture—just not usually all in one day! Our hearts are filled with joy for this special couple.

My next venture will be the publishing of my second book in the very near future. Again, after months of writing and planning, I’m at the stage of final touches and nerves!

What will be your next big thing? We are never too old to start something new but every day we wait is one day too many. Let us know what’s next for you!

​Always cheering you on,    Kim