I’ve been mulling over this concept for months now. Maybe years. It’s like a good old-fashioned homemade soup* – in my mind, of course. Start with fresh chicken stock. Add some sliced ginger. A few cloves of garlic. And simmer. Finish with coconut milk. Forget the microwave; it’s just not going to produce anything nearly as tasty.
It’s a truth we’re not always willing to own up to. Sometimes things just take time. And that’s the way it is. Period. We’ve psyched ourselves up for the sprint when we should have been preparing for the marathon. And, no, it’s not a half-marathon. In life, we’re all here to go the full distance. The whole 26 miles and 385 yards.
Two things coexist here, begging to be considered simultaneously: scope and pace. What’s the big picture look like? And what’s it going to take to get there? I’m not necessarily talking about goal setting. I’m talking about the ultimate BIG picture here and how one goes about customizing and fine tuning the training schedule.
My fixation for understanding has been wrapped around pacing myself in life. Is it a universally held truth that I must accept and conform to the tempo of the status quo? What if I actually discovered my very own personal life rhythm? I’ve heard the beat of my own drum and, you know, it actually sounds really good to me. And it doesn’t mean I have to accomplish X by the time I hit 30 or whatever. Anyways, I have no regrets about waiting until I was over 30 to:
- Complete my undergraduate (and graduate) education
- Get married
And it took me yet another decade to:
- Have a child
- Buy a home
A bit unconventional? Yes, for some. But not for me. It’s been a great ride of joy and contentment. Without bumps? Absolutely not. But I wouldn’t trade the slow boat to China for a Learjet. It’s just not my style. Oh, and I’m convinced I’m in good company, too.
“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.”
~Julia Child
Did it inhibit my ability to thrive? No, not in the least. I vividly remember an anthropology professor whose encouragement inspired me to enroll as a returning student. Certainly, his boost was welcome. But the fact is: I was ready. I wanted to experience the “higher learning.” Ah, there it is, plain, yet in its full glory: experience.
How do you experience your life? Have you found your inner drummer? I’d love to know how you pace yourself without getting caught up in the ubiquitous need for speed.
Photo credit: Joe Brandt
*Editor’s note: I like to cook. If you’d like the recipe for a quicker version of Tom Ka Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken soup), just email me for a deliciously simple recipe. Paradoxical? Nah, I love to experience food more than prepare it. ::wink::
I'm Jenny Ferry. I help people dial up their desire, light a bonfire under their 'extenuating circumstances' and lead extravagantly turned {on} lives. Because when you know what you want, and ask for it, you rewrite your whole story.
{ 8 comments }
Loved this article!
LOL. OMG… I am also a late bloomer. I told my husband last month when shopping for furniture “I can’t wait to get a grown up living room”. We just hadn’t really cared about interior design much before until recently… now we are constantly looking for things to make our place a home.
It also took me forever to start my own business, move out of state, go to networking events… etc. This blog is super cute… I’ll be checking back frequently.
xoxo
TW
This is such a beautiful post! Thank you Jenny. I was just thinking about changes in my life – and started berating myself for waiting so long to make them, or wondering how I let a situation get as far as I did (bad inner critic!). Then I realized it was my pace – the exact pace it needed to be – for me to really come to a deep understanding of what was going on and what I needed to do. I love your unconventional approach to life, and will certainly share this metaphor with others! So thrilled to be reading your blog – major congrats on getting it up and running. I KNOW it is going to be a huge hit
@A.K. Thanks so much! Stop by anytime.
@Tierra Oh, you made me LOL, too! From one late bloomer to another: now, I know I’m in great company. Can’t wait to catch up with you soon. xo jf
@Jenny Your kind words floored me. I’m so touched and honored by the sweet acknowledgments. You have been a great catalyst and I’m forever grateful for your encouragement, support and enthusiasm. Hugs!
This is so great! Congrats on the new site launch – it suits you well. Good luck with your unconventional life (not that you need luck).
@Chris Thanks so much for stopping by, Chris! I am truly inspired by your life and writings. Here’s to our unconventional paths crossing sometime in the near future – we don’t need any stinkin’ luck for that! Just good intentions & timing.
Hi there, just wanted to say congrats on the lovely new blog and good luck with your writing! I loved this post, and it’s very inspiring to me. I consider myself an “unconventional” person in some ways as well, although I think I may be more conventional in lifestyle, I think in my career paths and relationships I’m following a very different path than many of my peers. So I can still relate in some way. Great insights – so true that everyone has their own path and pace to follow.
@Akhila I really appreciate your kind words and good to hear you’re on your own path. And it’s always a mix of convention/unconvention. The key is finding the right mix for YOU.