You Have Always Had the Power

"You've always had the power, my dear; you just had to learn it yourself." Glinda the Good Witch, Wizard of 0z, quote from the amazing Frank L. Baum 

I can relate to Dorothy in so many ways throughout my life. 

 If I only knew then what I know now. “There is no place like home.”

 I mean the place we choose and create, not the one that is imposed upon us. Home should be a place of comfort, safety, and enjoyment. It is a place to celebrate our successes and to learn and grow from our failures. It is a place to belong and to be loved.

This is a lesson I wish my granddaughters would internalize right from the start and not have to learn the hard way as I did. They have everything they need right now inside of them. Sometimes, they may need to muster the strength to find the courage and confidence to believe it is for real but it is true.

We sing a song from the Muppets at the top of our lungs on the ride from their house to mine called “Life’s A Happy Song” by Amy Adams from a Muppet Movie.

“I’ve got everything that I need… right in front of me. Nothing’s stopping me, no one that I can’t be when you’re right here next to me.” 

I hope they remember those lyrics and take them to heart. Not necessarily the part where they need someone next to them to make their dreams happen, though being able to share their triumphs does add to the pleasure of it all.

.It has snuck up on me—this feeling of contentment. I am right where I belong, doing precisely what I need to do. There is nothing “out there” I need to reach for or even take a course to learn more about.

It is a new feeling. 

It seems that my whole life, I have been searching for something, for “the thing” that will fulfill my purpose in life. What I am meant to be and to do.  

When I got a job or found a vocation that I loved at the time, I thought, “This is it! This is what I am meant to do,” only to find a few months or years later that it wasn’t. 

Is there something else out there for me?

I’ve researched, studied, questioned, and explored all types of purposes in life. Should I be an actress? An artist? Photographer? Own a thrift store/boutique? Teach? Sell? Assist others to achieve their dreams?

Some of them have felt “right” for a while, but then the universe tells me this isn’t going to work out. 

Such was the case with my “dream” store that I created and saw come to life, only to be forced to come to terms with the fact that it was not financially viable. It would not make it for the long haul.  

Yes, if I knew then what I know now. Hindsight is a beautiful thing.

We each have our own path, though—our own lessons and experiences. 

Right this moment, I absolutely, no doubt, no looking back, know I am right where I belong, for once. And it has been time-tested over the last four years. 

I’m a grandmother with the privilege of seeing my two granddaughters every week; I love getting to know them, hugging, playing, and laughing with them, and having them get to know me. 

These have been the most magnificent and magical experiences of my life, even more so than becoming a mother, which was a significant and memorable time in itself.

 Even when I am exhausted and neither one of the girls is inclined to listen or take a nap, I’m happy to be with them. Especially on those “bad” days, there is something to be said for joy and fulfillment; whatever brings you that, seek it. The words, “I love you, Grandma,” make it all worthwhile. 

I will admit that even during this happy family time, I’ve still been on the hunt to find “the thing” to fulfill my creative outlet. I’m a photographer (my granddaughters are willing subjects), a painter as a hobbyist, and now I can feel confident calling myself a writer. I write.   I strive to write consistently. I strive to improve my skills. I appreciate being around other writers and reading.

I genuinely enjoy writing. Always have. I didn’t know it was the utopia I’d been searching for all this time until recently. I’ve always written. I guess part of me didn’t consider it a high enough calling. Not glamorous enough. Not able to quickly provide income. 

But it is my calling. Now I know that for sure. 

A friend pointed out that being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and writer are all “inside jobs.” Nothing outside yourself helps you to improve in these “positions” other than perhaps therapy, but even psychoanalysis is all about your internal feelings. 

I finally feel content that I am on the right path. That only took 65 years!  

Better late than never. 

I read a quote today that said, “Life actually begins at 60. Until then, you’re just doing research.” 

How true is that? At least it is for my life. 

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." —Mahatma Gandhi.

I hope all of my readers feel that they are on the right path and living their best life right now. If not now, then you have the GPS coordinates to get there. It's the best.

Cheers to happiness and contentment!

Till next time,

Keep reading! Keep smiling!