One thing I have to remind myself of constantly is that there
is a time and place for everything.
Just because I used to do it, is no reason that it is a good
idea now. The things I may do now I
never did twenty years ago, and probably won’t do in another 20 years. Each year of our life is different. We have
different needs, health, family, jobs, etc.
Looking back and wondering where the ‘me that used to be’
went is no good. That me doesn’t exist right now. But I exist. And I like myself. I just can’t
live by the same hobbies and goals I used to have. The things that have dropped by the wayside
were let go to make room for better more important things.
And that’s all right.
A little while ago I realized that an author I respect was
turning 40. 40! I hope they don’t take this the wrong way but
I thought they were older. This person is barely a year and a half older than I
am and has at least a dozen books published. I
guess it was a blow to my ego to realize they
were so close to my own age, because what have I accomplished? It's come
at an interesting time, as The Engineer and I have been making plans,
giving up on some ideas and accepting new ones. A time of flux.
Everyone takes their own journey. Everyone has their own set
of crazy to deal with. To everything there is a season and a time and place for
everything. It’s natural for us to
compare ourselves to others, to always long for what we don’t have, or haven’t
accomplished yet. Striving to make ourselves better is one of the things that
make us human. Or maybe one of the things that make us divine. And perhaps that’s
why we have to keep reminding ourselves that there is a time and place for
everything, and sometimes just being is enough.
You are so right. Time changes us, and usually we think of that as being bad (ie aging, wrinkles, menopause) but it can be good too. Each season of our life has it's own beauty, if we choose to see it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so true that what's important to us and what we do changes with time. I am going through a major reinventing myself time. And it's so important not to compare ourselves to others but to live our lives the best they can be.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing about numbers, they can bless and they can deter. Good for you for realizing that.
ReplyDeleteYes, everything has a season. There are moments when I look back at activities in my life and wonder why I don't do them now, and then I remember that it's because my life is filled with new/different things and it's good just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post.
Exactly! Sometimes I look back and feel as if I've lost something, but when I look at now I remember I've made choices and that I like who I am.
DeleteA while ago I was struggling with how long it was taking me to get published, so I looked up the ages of all my fav authors when they first got published, and the majority of them were in their 50s. That cheered me up ;) You are so right. There is a time for everything and we can't compare our journey with anyone else's.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and I are in the same place of re-evaluating, figuring out where things are going and what needs to be left by the wayside. And like you, I'm realizing that it is okay to let go and change. It makes me better. It makes life better.
ReplyDeleteLiving life is about adapting. What have you accomplished? Look around you...children, job, husband, and all the things you hold dear. That is some major accomplishments! 40? Try 60+!
ReplyDeleteMy family will always come first.
DeleteAmen, Sara! Now why do I hear the Birds? ;-)
ReplyDeleteOr, nearly 60. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the age thing! Every time I try to be athletic(not that I ever was) I realize my body is telling me to slowdown, or I'll break something!
ReplyDeleteHey, Sara,
ReplyDeleteBoy does this hit home....Being a decade plus older than you AND still sort of unpublished (have a few blurbs, covers, etc,) I see all the successful thirty somethings and sigh. But I only started writing five years ago. I've lived MANY lives in my life and now this one.
Change is a good thing. Adapting can be difficult, but it makes us grow emotionally. And that is always important. As the title of my blog says... In Time ....
Some of my favorite authors got a late start, and some an early start. What's encouraging is that in both cases, the good books came and I enjoy reading them. So . . . I just hope to write books others enjoy reading, and I no longer care about the timeline. :-)
ReplyDeleteAccording to the research I've done, the majority of authors start their careers somewhere in their 30's or 40's, so you really shouldn't feel bad. Truth, I think the only reason there are so many younger authors these days is because of the self publishing craze. While I do occasionally read their works, I find myself not trusting them as much. Is that sad?
ReplyDeleteI have to keep reminding myself of this too, especially in relation to being published. Don't want to dwell overmuch on "it'll never happen" type thoughts!
ReplyDelete