Freedom of Voice

Fear blocks us,  paralyzes us, renders us useless, makes us angry, frustrated, mean, narrow-minded. I always say I fear the unknown,      but that sounds so stupid now. To fear the unknown is to fear life itself,      for how much do we really know? Fear is an excuse, a cop-out, a crutch, a trap, a self-made prison. I’m so busy being afraid, cowering in some corner, I miss the opportunities that pass by. Some may return but many won’t.

It’s OK to mourn your old life while embarking on your new one. Beyond-wise words from a friend—one who has restarted her life many times, one whose Zen-like approach to life has become my personal goal. She embodies calmness in the midst of chaos.  And, so here I sit—sad that I can’t just call a friend or my daughter to meet me for a pedicure, an impromptu trip to TJ Maxx, or a walk around the neighborhood. Pining away for those opportunities—even though I didn’t see everyone as often as I should have, taking for granted the close proximity and availability—missing my job and the connections I made with students and peers, despite the challenging—and sometimes frustrating—nature of it.  It begs the question: How do I move along without moving on?  To me, moving on implies leaving all of that behind. I am not willing to do that.  In contrast, moving along means I will carry my old life with me as my journey continues in a different place, keeping th...