My mother taught me never to stand still. She wanted to teach me that I should always make my bed and I should never leave the house without doing all the dishes, but I failed in those lessons.
I spent much of my twenties doing exactly what I thought I was supposed to do: I embarked on a career, I bought a new car, I rented an apartment, I got married, I paid off my student loans.
In my thirties, my husband and I focused most of our energy on our daughter. My career as a journalist became more precarious. I went to work part-time as I earned a second bachelor’s in International Affairs.
By my late thirties, I started traveling with a friend. I realized maybe I didn’t want a traditional professional occupation, but I couldn’t label what I did want.
Now I’ve crossed 40. I am working on a master’s degree in world history at West Chester University. I’ve had a few small acceptances with some of my creative writing. I’m contemplating pursuing more paid freelance writing work.
And I also might take a semester off from my master’s work. My daughter is nearing 13 and I never realized how much she’d need me now.
These are the thoughts I was thinking this morning as I held my office hours as a graduate assistant in West Chester’s history department. I stumbled upon one new publication that may be a good fit for me as a journalist wanting to return to the trade and some of my more alternative leanings.
And while I sit quietly, alone, in this office, I ask what will I do with myself this winter with no schoolwork and only my tedious retail job? And I realize this time will be introspective and hopefully give me more stillness so that my true desires come into focus.
While I ponder these thoughts, which are not easy thoughts, I receive an email.
“Thank you for your revisions.” “We’ll contact you with a publication date.”
An essay I submitted to an online literary magazine a few weeks ago seems as if it has accepted my piece. The piece is about weather, Djibouti and broken bones. It’s a quirky publication too so this may be a sign…
I must keep writing.
I just read this as I was going through old mail. Love it.
Finding oneâs way isnât easy, but I love the idea of stillness that provides an opportunity for finding some answers.
Iâve recently read in two different places that American culture with its emphasis on accomplishment, awards, recognition, etc. gives kids no chance to practice creativity which requires nothing, literally. One nearly needs boredom to get creative juices cranking.
How are you doing? Youâve been so busy that you havenât had time to post much. I see more on FB from Darrel oddly.
Iâm working PT at the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, doing marketing and possibly taking on more of a role in volunteer management. Volunteerism at NNC is haphazard at the moment.
Liesel