Uncharted Waters

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor. It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone! (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)

Uncharted Waters

2/20/2015

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"I just want to have a completely adventurous, passionate, weird life." ~HPLYRIKS.com

This afternoon my advisers at South University and I sat for nearly two hours plotting a new career path for me. It's scary and exciting setting a course through uncharted waters, especially when it feels as if I can't even see what's ten feet ahead. My biggest fear has always been of the unknown but fortunately most of the time I don't allow that fear to stop me. Not long ago, my father and I were discussing the circumstances around both of our uncertain futures. He said, "Trust me girl, you don't wanna be starting over...not at this point in your life. Not at your age." But really, I do. I'm not a hundred years old and I am not done with this little life of mine. In fact, a part of me feels as if I am only just now getting started, thankfully with a whole heap of experience under my belt to assist me. That life experience gives me the confident push I need and the firm belief that wherever I go, whatever I do, I can totally handle what's up ahead.

I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what the future holds...really none of us do (...well except for those people from the Psychic Friend's Network). What I do know with complete clarity is that I am NOT going to sit around waiting for life to happen to me. I'm not going to settle into some Empty Nester, middle age rut, where I get up, go to some random job, drag my ass home in the evening, rinse and repeat. That is not why I'm here. Whatever adventures lie ahead of me, I look forward to experiencing them with a gusto that would make "little me" (i.e. my younger self) proud. Tomorrow marks one year since Mama Schaefer's life on Earth passed away and when the day comes that I get to see her again (...hopefully in the very distant future), man am I going to have some stories to tell!

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About The Author

I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

Nancy

2/20/2015 02:52:32 pm

I love going to school! Have fun with it; I graduated from nursing school I was 47!

Amy Marie Schaefer

2/21/2015 01:38:18 am

Thank you, Nancy! It must be a family trait because I love going to school, too! And it helps encourage me to know that you totally rocked it in your forties. I'm very excited!

Love,
A.

From the Front Porch