My forty-third birthday is almost here, and the year behind me was a wild ride with many unexpected twists and turns! I am grateful for them all, even the bummer ones. I grew emotionally stronger and learned valuable life lessons while growing courage I did not think was possible. I hope to express an authentic reflection of personal growth that can happen all in just one crazy year.
In my 42nd year, I took a giant leap of faith and tested my luck by running for State Representative in Minnesota. Whoa! This was an unexpected turn of events for me. I’m talking altogether out of the left-field! I had no idea what I was getting into. I lost the election, but the skills I gained personally made it all worthwhile.
Yet, as I am about to turn the page on another chapter in my personal story. I am thankful I conjured up the courage and took that chance to speak from my heart. Pursuing politics still pulls at my protective and compassionate environmental loving spirit. I believe we need good people to stand up and fight for those who does not have a voice.
My campaign motto was, “Protect what you love.” I still believe this, and I just can’t seem to walk away. It is coming time to make the decision if I am going to run yet again. You would think it would be an easy decision, but it is not. It was hard in ways I did not expect. Yet, the pull of this protective passion is something I cannot ignore.
I am beginning to see, it’s who I am and what I came to this world to do. I love to learn, and I love adventure. This is how I chose to see my path. This year’s motto will be; “My work feels like fun all the time!” Because that’s how it feels when you do what you love! Stacy says this is because I am following my Dharma. It sure feels like I am being ‘called’ so maybe she is right.
Getting elected to the Board of the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge last January has given me opportunity to keep putting my time and energy towards my environmental and community supporting passions. It’s been a wonderful experience that also allows me to share the skills and grow connections I’ve learned from campaigning. So cool how that worked out!
This past year my friend and I came very close to finishing our book series. We really almost did it! Then just feet from the finish line, when it came time to become business partners, it was clear we were not able to do so. Turns out we would rather be friends, than colleagues! We both walked away from years of collaborative creative work as Adventure Sisters, to go our separate ways.
It was an unexpected turn of events but, I believe this also has happened for our highest good. It now leaves me the ability to be creatively authentic and more faithful to myself. I will be able to write about what I wish instead of within the confinement of a partner’s expectations. I really do believe it is for the best. We are still friends, and this is what matters the most.
I am thankful for the journeys we took together and the encouragement we shared with one another during this process. It’s a blessing to have the ability to make tough decisions and put friendship first when it came down to it. It’s best to find out before you get in too deep and that’s what happened.
We both have a different path, and that is okay! I already have started another creative project that excites me and keeps me passionately pursuing my publishing dreams. If it is meant to be, it will be! I am thankful for my friend because she believed in me and encouraged me to write years all those years ago.
Without our friendship and this joint journey, I may have been too insecure to pursue my writing dream. We would have missed out on all the fun we had doing so! It was this same friend who also encouraged to push through my fear to pursue a political path. Now, look! I can’t stop writing or the pull of political passion if I wanted too! They are in my soul and what I love.
I am thankful for all these round-about experience even if they did not play out like I thought they would. This seemed to be the theme for year 42. This year has taught me to embrace my independence, follow my dreams, and the tug of my soul. These lessons in independence gave me the confidence and courage to do the work when it comes to fulfilling my needs.
I even took a solo trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness this summer! #SavetheBoundaryWaters! Never in a million years did I think I could or would, and I did! I am so proud of me. I don’t know how I became so brave. I think it just maybe one of the most valued traits I’ve come to possess! They say when women get older, we get bolder. This part of aging is darn fabulous if you ask me.
I love growing older! I’ve embraced the silver in my hair and the wisdom that comes from my mistakes. Aging is a blessing. I am grateful for the time I’ve been given to learn, grow, and bloom into who I always knew I was. I am so much more than what you see. I realize that I don’t need to prove it to you. I need to show it to me!
If being in my forties means I get to release my fears, trusting the twist of my path, enjoying every minute of being alive and loving myself for who I am. Then I am good with that. This next year around the sun I am going to welcome new experiences, new lessons, be more open to making new connections. Expanding my circle of friends and making contacts that will help me make a ripple of hope in the web of life!
Self-doubt has no place in year 43 for me. “F’ it! Let’s try it and see what happens!” Sounds more my style anyway. This past year has allowed me to see this is my chance to grab the opportunities life has placed before me. I can choose to sit them out or jump in the deep end. We all know I’m the kind of gal who likes adventure so I guess we will see what the Creator has in store for me! I am excited just thinking about the possibilities.
One more thing I learned last year was the importance of balance. Love, Family, Self & Mind, Body, Spirit. These are all important and require my time and attention before they go rogue. I know which ones need attention because I feel it. This year also gave me a lot of time to relax, reflect and really get in touch with my own needs.
It’s no secret there is lots of time that matters laying in between the ‘big stuff’ that needs tending to. Life can be demanding and crazy, but great when we let it! I have realized how vital it is to listen to my inner knowing and the tug of my soul. It’s not always easy, but it’s still worth it! I am worth it. I am beyond thankful for this blessing of time that allowed me this solace.
I want to thank you for understanding when I don’t blog as often as I have been. I know I’ve been slowing down on blogging significantly, but it’s because I’ve been busy chasing my dreams, living a life I love, enjoying my husband, family, and friends while working at smashing my goals.
Along with working, building my business, volunteering, being a wife, mother and taking care of my own needs! This all takes time and effort. So, when I do write, I trust it is because I am being called to do so. I hope that when I post, you find it educational, entertaining, and worth your time.
My goal is to share these lessons with you as I learn them, in hopes you can be entertained and educated from my crazy life! I promise not to portray myself as perfect. I am far from it. My dreams are to share the real me, the soul inside that is following the tugs of my heart. This is what it means to me to feel 43.
Thank you for reading my blog for sharing my life lessons and adventures with me! I appreciate your support and encouragement beyond measure!
Sending joy and blessings to you,
Love, Emy Minzel
Visit me at :
EmyMinzel.com
EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com
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Stacy Crep ~
Emy Minzel 