A few years ago I attended a conference at the Sofia Institute in South Carolina to hear Sue Monk Kidd (author of The Secret Life of Bees) and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor, speak. They are friends of my aunt which made it even more special and I had the opportunity to meet and talk with them.
They had just published a book that they co-authored together called “Traveling with Pomegranates”, it is a wonderful mother/daughter story. The book is about their individual quest to redefine themselves and their relationship with each other. I found it very hard to put the book down, it was quite moving because it was true story of their adventure. They were very transparent and honest with their feelings as they were on this life journey and shared it openly in this beautiful book.
As they are on this journey each of them reaches a point where they arrive at their “shift moment” the moment when the lights came on and their purpose became very clear to each of them individually. They realized their new path and found the strength to pursue it. I found the book very inspiring and uplifting.
Shift moments, can happen unexpectedly or by searching and seeking.
Do you remember your shift moment? I do and it was unexpected. It was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was waiting to find out what type it was and how involved it was. That moment is as clear to me now as it was then 13 years ago.
The realization that life is short, and not one of us knows how much time we have been given, was staring me in the face. I knew then that I had to make the most of my life and I wanted to help others learn the beauty of “living in the moment, and looking for the lessons to be learned in each encounter we have and making our encounters with others memorable for them”.
I know what path I am to follow, I hope my journey is a long one because I have a lot to learn, but I am enjoying each day as I strive toward it. As my Aunt Dollie would say “Life is for those that show up” and I am going to show up each day that I am here and do what I am called to do.
I am pursuing what my “shift moment” showed me, are you?
“Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone?” ~ lyrics from I hope you will dance
08/05/14
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