Happy Birthday to Me. Another year older and hopefully another year wiser. At this stage of my life birthdays are fairly quiet events. I take a break from the regular stressors and spend time doing things I want to do, spend time reflecting on the days behind me, and try to bring my hopes and plans into clearer focus for the days ahead of me. This year isn’t much different except that I’m keenly aware that the days behind me are so much more numerous that the ones ahead. That said, I’m also reflecting with gratitude on how the days behind me have influenced my now.
My life has not always been easy but I have survived. By most people’s perspective I’ve thrived. I have meaningful relationships, fulfilling hobbies, a deepening spirituality, and a real sense of purpose to my life. I’m not done yet. I’m just pausing to reflect and to adjust my self talk about the past and the future. When reflecting on the past it is so easy to get lured into recounting all of the challenges, injustices, unfortunate circumstances, and regrets. Do I wish some of those things had never happened? YES! However, I’m keenly aware that each of those events as well as my handling of them contributes to the forged in the fire person I believe I am now.
What’s next? Good question. A “non-traditional retirement” is likely in my near future. I see this change as a “transitional retirement.” To me that means I will engage with people, time, and interests in a more flexible and I hope much more fulfilling way. If you look at this site you will notice some new pages starting to pop up. Last year I launched the online psychotherapy practice and I’m looking forward to having more availability for that soon. I’ve also had the tremendous opportunity to continue to build my presence in the music community through composition and performing over the last year. In the next 3-6 months I plan to develop a coaching practice that offers both syncronous and asyncronous coaching. I am so excited about all of these. I’ve playfully called these things MindfulLea (coaching), MusicalLea (composition and performance), TherapeuticalLea (psychology), EnergeticalLea (energy work and energy psychology), and DaiLea (observations about daily living and life’s fulfillment). The play on my name amused me and I hope it brings a smile to your face as well.
I invite you to check back frequently as things are growing and changing. Do you have suggestions about topics you would like to see me write about? I’d love to hear them.
So, today is happy birthday to me. I wish you a very happy birthday whenever that may be for you, and I hope that it will be a day of growth, excitement, and fulfillment for you too.