Last week our college senior drove herself back to college and we drove our college freshman to another state for his next chapter. Our kids are not the only ones starting new chapters. Their departures are a new beginning for my husband of nearly twenty-five years and myself. Fresh slate. New beginning. Exciting and scary.
That is how change is, exciting and scary. Both, at once. Like a two for one special at Fred Meyer.
I tell my clients that fear and excitement hold similar energy and that if we are scared it can mean something important and good is around the corner. “Lean into it,” I encourage. “Embrace it, see what it wants to show you.”
This means I must take my own medicine, follow the words I doll out to others, like receiving a spoonful of my favorite ice cream. With gratitude, joy, wonder and openness.
Being Mom to our Maggie and Simon defined my schedule, choices, responsibilities, thoughts, actions and so much more for a very long time. I talk about this in my upcoming book, Mama Needs a Refill: Finding Light in the Midst of Madness. I found it so much easier to tend to their needs than my own. I’m different now. My needs, my wants, my dreams are different than when our kids were young and living under our roof.
I will step into the cloak of curiosity that I encourage my life coach clients to step into. Asking myself the questions I invite them to ask themselves:
- What’s important?
- How will I live fully?
- What must I honor?
These questions aren’t just good for one season, they are helpful to ask daily. When I know what is important, feels good and juicy, is meaningful and ignites joy — then the choices I make and how I want to spend my time are made clear. Or at least clearer than just waiting to see what will happen.
When I know my intentions, I am living intentionally. Living intentionally leaves me satisfied at the end of the day.
In this new season it is time for me to reevaluate my values. This helps me to align with what I find important and with my current truth.
I leave you for now with these questions to ponder with your heart and body, not only with your head, with your soul, that part of you I call your Cup.
Cheers, Coach Jenny
