18 | May | 2012 | Nurture Self 365

“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” David Frost

I learned this lesson a bit late in life. I spent my first 40+ years doing what I believed I was supposed to do – what was expected of me. I never believed I had permission, or the right, (in fact it never even occurred to me it was ok) to steer my own course. I married at age 19, two weeks out of high school. He was a good man, good husband, good father, good provider. He did not want me to work – in fact he used to joke that he just wanted to keep me barefoot and pregnant. So I was a stay-at-home mom until my kids were older. Two children and 15 years later I was starting to feel like something was missing in my life – even tho I had a good life and I was very involved and busy, working and taking care of my family. Still, I believed I had no right to feel the way I was feeling. I carried this with me for another 10 years until not only was I struggling mentally, but physically I was falling apart. Even then – I could not show the world what was going on inside me. Especially since to the world, I was happy and my life was “perfect”.

Fast forward another 15 years when I experienced a complete physical and emotional breakdown, divorced my husband, and moved back to my roots. In 2003 I married the man I believe I was destined to be with. This year I am 60 years old and still finding my way, but with a vision that connects me with my true inner self. I’m a work in progress, but I know what is important to me and that is where I focus my energy. I cherish every moment of my life because each second of experience has crafted the person I am today. I truly feel the energy I put out (negative or positive) comes back to me in spades. So my focus is to be a positive influence in the lives of those around me, including my kids, step kids, grandkids, the Father of my Children, the Mother of my Step Son’s, extended family and friends.

Therein, I believe, lies the secret to success. Live your truth. Live your passion