“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E. Cummings

When I look back at my life, thirty years later, I realize that I really had no idea who I truly was or what made me happy. I kept expecting something or someone to answer this question for me.

My journey to finding out who I am and what really matters to me has started with divorce and, having to financially start over. I find myself today struggling with life in general. The constant stressors begin to weigh one down, and we have to ask ourselves…. How did we get here? Who the heck was driving? Why weren’t we using a map and can we change directions?

It pretty much took the loss of everything I thought defined me and made me happy to admit to myself that I honestly didn’t know myself very well at all.

Who am I? What do I believe in? What is my purpose? What fills me with joy and wonder? These are questions that I am just beginning to understand after forty-two years of living my life, and I have to admit that getting there has had its peaks and valleys.

The hardest part for me is just knowing where to begin. After self-reflection and reading, I am asking myself five big questions that will serve as a launch pad to begin my journey of self-discovery.  (Can you say deja vu?  I know..)

If you are ready to begin the process of truly understanding who you are meant to be, start here:

1. What or who would you be if you knew you couldn’t fail?

The risk of failure terrifies most people. How many times have you wanted to change jobs or careers, move to a new city, promote a cause that is important you, or become an expert in a certain area? Think about it. No risk of failure.

If you were 100% certain that you could be or do anything you wanted and not fail, do you know the answer?

2. What is your Ninety-Second Personal Elevator Speech?

Probably the most important and poorly answered question in most job interviews, this is similar in nature. You can certainly include your career or career accomplishments in your personal speech, but think of this from the perspective of how you might answer this if you were making a new friend or going on a first date with someone.

How would you describe yourself so that the person asking the question would truly understand who you are and what is important to you?

3. What are your core personal values?

Personal values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live. They give you a reference for what is good, beneficial, important, useful, desirable, and constructive. Once you are able to determine exactly what values are most important to you, you can better determine your priorities.

In fact, having this information about yourself is the key to making sure your daily life is aligned with those values.

4. What makes you genuinely happy?

This one is closely related to your core personal values. However, ask yourself this question once you’ve really nailed down what those values are.

For example, if family is one of your core personal values, will taking a job that involves tons of travel make you happy? Take it a step further and really consider dreams you had when you were younger or currently have about what will make you truly happy.

5. If money were no object, how would you live your life differently?

Many people equate happiness and success directly to the amount of money they have. How many times have you heard someone say, “If I hit the lottery, I’d…”

But remember, this question isn’t really about money at all. It’s more about thinking outside the limits we tend to put on our aspirations and actions because things seem out of our reach financially.

You may not be able to do those exact things, but once you know what those true desires are, you expand your thinking and begin to develop a plan to work towards goals you may have never imagined possible.

–

These are tough questions and the answers may not come easily or quickly. In fact, I find myself having to think and re-think my answers several times. This work is hard but necessary in order to really understanding yourself on a deeper level.

While I can’t say that I now know everything about myself, I believe in answering these questions I may be able to completely change the negative internal dialogue that is limiting my ability to see myself as I exist today and the me that I can become in the future.

I think the biggest change will come when I revisit my dreams and aspirations that I had long ago put on the back burner while I was stuck in the process of “getting things done.”

My dreams of finding a fulfilling job in helping people, finding passionate loving relationship, being more present with my family, and discovering a higher power will all coming true when I focus my energy in the right direction—and that direction is to look within.

I will say that when I was going to church, it made a difference.

I plan on giving myself plenty of time to go through and really think about each question and then just go for it. Begin my journey. Change direction. Create new dreams and rediscover dreams I left behind. Once I start, I won’t look back.

Libby Love…. Words cannot express the love I have for you….

To the BEST dog in the world, my best friend and a loyal companion. May you rest in peace and know our love will always be with you.

I sit and try to write the words, I want your heart to hear.
Hoping to find some comfort, in the fact that your not here.

I look out into the open field, that you once occupied,
Knowing now that field is empty, because my love, you’ve died.

I do believe with all my heart, that your soul has gone to be,
With all the other angel dogs, that you were meant to see.

We will have to stay behind, until God calls us too,
So do not be afraid, that he’s only called for you.

The water is still, in the pond that you played,
And your bed is so empty, where your pretty head laid.

Our bed is to empty, where you once laid between,
the two people who LOVED you and now only dream,
That one day our eyes will shut one last time,
and you will come greet us, angel of mine.

Until then, I’ll keep trying to see through my tears,
with memories you left us, to reflect through the years.

We’ll never forget one minute we spent,
of loving and laughing, of places we went.

And I dread the day that your scent disappears,
for it’s “proof” to me, Libby, that you were just here!

But one day will come, when we’ll start to see through,
the pain of the moment, and remember just “you”.

Now you go and play, and look down when you can,
remembering we love you, and this isn’t the end.

Love in New York City – REVISED

As of 7/25/2016:

UNLuckiest Girl in the WORLD!!!!!  My narcissistic alcoholic husband…. Meet the ASSHOLE