metamorphosis

by Jenny Ferry on February 28, 2010

butterfly

Hey. It’s me, Jenny. Wonder where I’ve been? Well, I’ll get to that. For now, I’m just thrilled – almost beyond words – to be back here. Thrilled to have a voice and a place to express it. And I’m especially grateful to you for reading. And listening.

Of course, there’s an enormous back story here. I will, at some point, attempt to wade through those murky waters with you. But for today, I’m going to just drop the bombshell: I ended a 10-year marriage on January 1, 2010.

There. Said it. Moving on. So let’s switch gears a bit so that I can share with you where I am right now. I want to fill you in on my exuberant re-emergence into my own life.

I wish I could say that over the last few months that I was off gallivanting in some exotic land particularly on a beach and even more specifically with an enthralling someone (obviously, not said husband of recently ended marriage). But alas, no. I was completely engulfed by a chrysalis. Encapsulated. Still. Waiting. This time of inactivity is misleading for, in reality, the inward workings within the pupae are orchestrating the makings of the destined butterfly to come. Relinquishing an old life to embrace an entirely new life. Free. Unfettered. Transformed. Beautiful.

For me, the expression of my metamorphosis appeared just after the first of the year by way of my Facebook status updates. Here’s what bubbled up in those very first moments of my fresh new life:

“Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” ~Abraham Lincoln
January 4 at 10:49am

There’s just no other way to say it simply: Life is good. (And those t-shirt peeps are definitely on to something…)
January 16 at 9:12pm

[Innocuous, but somehow indicative of change…]
Today was the day I decided to change my beverage of choice at Starbucks. Now tipping back a decaf Americano.
January 18 at 9:23pm

Authenticity & aliveness are showing up in magical ways in my life. And it feels sooooo good. :)
January 28 at 11:23am

Do you get TUT? Today was just too good not to share:
“Would you ever take a journey, if you knew
ahead of time that you’d become hopelessly
lost, have your heart broken into pieces, and
sometimes wish you’d never been born?

Now, how about if you knew ahead of time that
on that very same journey you’d also find
yourself, fall… passionately in love, and live
happily ever after?

Yeah, I know, you made the same choice a
long, long time ago.

Que bueno,
The Universe”
[TUT's Adventurers Club::www.tut.com]
January 29 at 10:51am

“To arrive is to be in prison.” ~Henri Matisse
January 31 at 1:32pm

It’s just a little over a month now, but my new house is actually starting to feel like home…or should I say “Om”…it’s totally peaceful here!
February 3 at 11:33am

Jenny Ferry wants to blow the lid off possibilities in ALL aspects of my life! Now…where to start… :)
February 11 at 7:59am

Today’s shower musing: authentic communication, personal responsibility, and commitment make a sweet trifecta.
February 11 at 9:07am
[In this case, the commitment is to myself and my personal growth…I seriously think this topic is grounds for an entirely separate post.]

Jenny Ferry is falling in love all over again…with my very own LIFE! Happy V-day everyone!!! ♥
February 14 at 1:55pm

Jenny Ferry is learning to *see* in the blind spots. Embracing what I didn’t know that I didn’t know. Shall we call it ‘expansion’?
February 16 at 11:13am

Watching the sunrise and being taken away by Norah Jones – Nightingale… ♫  http://blip.fm/~l5f9w
February 17 at 7:14am

I know it’s just a glimpse. But I really wanted to start somewhere. Anywhere. To be back here on this blog with you. And it feels so good to get this out!

What makes you come alive? What lights up your life and makes you feel the enormity of your humanity? Where do you live on the pinnacle? I’d love to know.

P.S. Want in on my status updates? Feel free to friend me on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/jennyferry

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fork in the road

by Jenny Ferry on September 30, 2009

fork in the road

“It might be a quarter-life crisis
Or just the stirring in my soul…”

~John Mayer

When I was the driver’s seat of my twenties looking down the road, I wasn’t always sure of what lay ahead. To be honest, I really didn’t have a clue. I think Steve Jobs said it best: “…you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”

But as I traveled down that road – fumbling to make sense of the journey and feeling intimidated, unsure, and frustrated – I discovered a key to mentally flip the situation from impending crisis to unlikely opportunity.

So here’s an extension of the Steve Job’s theorem that I’d like to offer you: if you can’t connect the dots looking forward, then don’t overly invest in any particular outcome. Why not set your expectations at “neutral” and practice accepting alternative outcomes in life? Be open. Life is full of possibility. Approach life like the real-time, ultimate treasure hunt it is.

Here’s how the chips fell for me: When I was in my early 20s, I was offered an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do volunteer outreach and training work in Australia. How could I pass up an opportunity like that?! With no real discernible skills – I had just dropped out of my degree program – but a lot of enthusiasm, I was bound for the Land Down Under. That decision to be open to whatever came along brought complete liberation and sheer adventure. But not without a healthy dose of self-doubt and a sharp deep breath.

I was leaving behind almost two years of pre-med courses where I earned Dean’s List grades and a forward looking commitment to go to medical school. From that perspective, my future was seriously locked in, for say, the next 10 years. And I had mentally written in all the compulsory filler around a medical degree, like a handsome husband and 4 beautiful kids, a house in the suburbs, and European vacations. It was all very neat and defined. And not a lot of fun because it was somebody else’s idea of what I should do with my life.

Needless to say, that volunteer experience in Australia transformed my life in ways I would have never expected. First of all, I had no idea how much I’d love facilitating training events. I learned to wind surf and snorkel and met so many fascinating people from around the world. Oh, and I randomly stumbled upon my true calling in life – helping others transform their lives through personal growth and life-long learning.

Two years later I returned to the U.S. to embark on a fulfilling career in learning & development that has taken me all over the world plus empowered me to discover and follow my own dream to make a difference in the world. All while enjoying my life, but more importantly, being true to myself. Echoing the insightful lyrics of John Mayer, I’m glad I paid attention to the stirring in my soul. Crisis averted.

Truth be told: The world is your oyster. Where do you go from here?

Editor’s note: This post was orginally published in the Young Professionals blog on Life Meets Work.

Related post: Is it scary enough?

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