As the eldest of two girls born to Greek immigrant parents, my traditional upbringing often wrestled with a young girl's dream of career and independence. And even though the trajectory of one's life can forever be altered by just one decision, it took three to change the course of mine and bring me to a place I never thought would be a part of my script.
Even though it's taken me years to make my peace, my journey finally taught me the lesson it set out to teach me. I believe Tony Robins was on to something when he said, "Life happens for you."
Now decades later, I have witnessed how the detours that kept the dreams at bay and the "seemingly" ill-guided choices made in the name of "It's best for you" have weaved themselves into an inimitable tapestry of courage, maturity, healthy boundaries and immeasurable gratitude.
Although I was born and bred in Montreal, Canada (Yes...home of Les Canadiens and smoked meat on rye...Gosh...I miss my city.), for the last 25 years, home for my husband and our now two young adult children has been and continues to be Toronto, Canada.
Luckily, my roots often call me home through beautiful memories, family and cherished friendships, which have stood the test of time.
This latest season has been one of transition, acceptance and further self-discovery. No matter how well you think you've prepared your heart for the day you waive off your younglings as they step off your front porch and set out on their own, you are ill-equipped to cope with the reality.
Coming to grips with the fact that it will be months before they grace your doorstep again is a sobering process that leaves you asking, "What now?" You continue to seek. You continue to ask questions; soon enough, they become "the right" questions. The right questions bring you the right answers, and before you know it you have a new dream, followed by a plan.
You soon realize that the revelations that follow the "what now?" are what you've waited for…for a very long time.
And then, as though by divine appointment…you begin.
Passions
Well... that's easy enough—the written word.
Ok. Maybe not so easy. Ever since I can remember reading and writing have always been my favourite pass-time. As a child, I still recall my amazement (and shock) upon discovering the “story time” carpet in Ms. Ward’s first grade classroom.
Spending my early childhood years in Greece, I never attended JK or kindergarten. I returned to Canada at age six, so a casual classroom atmosphere was all very new to me.
I recall the buzz and whispers we would all share, as we patiently sat on that large round Persian-style (didn’t know it was “Persian-style” at the time…) red rug with bated breath, waiting for our teacher to take her seat in the “big brown chair” in the back of the room.
“What book would she read today?”
“I hope she picks Curious George again!”
That was the moment I loved the most. The moment just before she would lift the book off her lap and expose the front cover. The excitement meter for what would soon follow was set in that instant. I was hooked! I loved reading time.
And even though the childhood classroom and Ms. Ward’s big brown chair are a speck in my rear-view mirror, and have been for a few decades now, the thrill I experienced in the anticipation of the “next story” never left me.
Lucky for me, writing simply adds another layer.
Faith
Faith is what drives me—My Faith. By all accounts, I should have parted ways with "the dream" to write, teach and create decades ago, but for my faith. It has guided me in times of confusion, encouraged me in times of doubt and now, decades later has brought my life full circle by giving me a second chance to try again.
The journey to self-awareness is an ongoing one and, thankfully, a relentless one. Every joy and every disappointment has seemingly worked together to bring me here, on this page, at this appointed time.
Beginnings
Daunting.
Scary.
That about sums it up. Even as I sit "safe and snug" in my favourite writing chair, which is perfectly tucked in my favourite home nook, every word assembled with each tap on the keyboard does so with a measured dose of reluctance pulled out of a vat of vulnerability.
A Blog - Write It Out 2 Work It Out
A Blog - Write It Out 2 Work It Out
A Blog - Write It Out 2 Work It Out
A blog about the wonder and delight that daily journaling offers individuals of all ages. Please tune in and subscribe to my weekly postings on the benefits and challenges that journaling devotees experience. Aspiring "journalers" are welcome. Click on the link above and connect directly to the W2W blog site.
Ca 't wait to see you there!
Astra Writing Services
A Blog - Write It Out 2 Work It Out
A Blog - Write It Out 2 Work It Out
I created AWS for one reason and one reason only—I love the editing process!
I simply love helping writers write better.
Creative expression is a deeply personal experience. My main focus and mission at AWS is listen to my client’ needs, clarify their aim and help them craft their best message one word at a time.