Acceptance

Jasmine Guinness once said, "In my twenties, I was obsessed with what other people thought of me. In my thirties, it's about my children, my husband, my work. In my forties, it's going to be about me, and I shan't care what anyone else thinks. I can't wait!"

Here I am. Sitting just inside the 40 yard line. I suppose at this point in my life, I have created the person I wanted to become... or at least I got part of it right. Regardless of whether I am winning or failing, here I am.

I had a fantastic lunch just yesterday with a good friend of mine. She is in her mid-thirties, accomplished professionally, has her MBA, and shares a lot of the same interests as I do. We were chatting about another friend of ours, a younger woman who is trying so desperately to be acknowledged for her accomplishments. She wants to be seen as a writer, a marketer, a this... a that.. desperate for validation. Her path started a little later than the rest of ours, so there is more of an uphill battle for her. But at the end of the day, all she wants is someone to tell her she did it. She has arrived.

But she hasn't. 
And it is borderline annoying. 

Regardless, you have to be patient and recognize the hustle. I'll give her that, she's got lots of hustle. She's getting there, maybe her push is a little messy and off-putting, but she's on the cusp of "making it." Then again, she has a looooong way to go.

Validation is a funny thing. We all yearn for it on some level. We need it in our core. It gives us a false sense of security. I believe in your 40s, you suddenly have all of the validation you need. I don't need you to tell me I am doing a good job. I know what I have done. I don't need public recognition, I know what I am doing. Yes, it feels good to know you are doing something and yes, it is nice to be recognized for doing it, but it is not the end all be all. 

One thing is for certain: As quickly as we rise, we will fall... only to rise again, and potentially fall... yet again. It's the ebb and flow of life. I think when you can grasp that, the rest sort of just works itself out.

One of my favorite authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "It is in the thirties that we want friends. In the forties we know they won't save us any more than love did." 
There is a peace in being okay with who you are and where you are in life. 

Speaking of life - A lot has happened over the past few weeks. Good things, stressful things, and in between things! I'd liked to share a few highlights with you!

The move happened. My friends Derek and my love, Mr. S.G. helped me get my heavy stuff in storage. 

Salvatore did what he could to help out!

I probably melted a little. Hot & Humid Georgia Weather + Moving is NOT a winner

I got to play tooth fairy to this 1st degree Black Belt. YES!!!

The freelance writing ops are incredible this year! Three articles in the last Macon Magazine, and I have about 5 more coming up with the 11th Hour publication. Not too shabby for supplemental income!

I finally got to relax at S.G.'s for the weekend. Lots of fun in the sun! (Yes, he has a pool. His house has like 500 outdoor activities! And people wonder why I go down there sooo much?)

His middle child and I in the pool

His youngest and I!

His oldest (with the black hair) and the rest of his family by the pool

THIS

Having fun!

I've added some new items to the gift shop!

Was interviewed for a story - "What does it mean to be Southern?" 

There is a new restaurant in town - Parish on Cherry (New Orleans style flavor)

Candied Bacon (with a little spicy kick) and a marmalade of some kind with peppers

Oyster Po Boy with potato spirals

Plus... I have the best friends a girl could ask for - CHEEEEEEEEESSSSSSEEEEEEE

Here Comes 42.

I am creeping up on the year 42. On February 16th, it will be here, and I have to admit, I am not even the least bit freaked out or disappointed. It seems like this decade is one that is setting me on my path. Back in my 30s, I thought I had it all figured out and was on my way to be where I was supposed to be. I think I made some decisions in my early thirties that sort of took me off my path, taught me a few lessons, then politely dropped me on my ass. At 38, I had hit the bottom (as close to the bottom as I can be,) and I had to regroup.

Who knew when I turned 40, that my life was about to be flipped upside down one more time. I sort of view the series of events like something I saw in a video recently. I went to Plains, Georgia, and later researched how people grow and harvest peanuts (a crop they are known for.) Here is this plant that looks nice and lush on top, and has deep roots. You pull the plant out of the ground and under caked on dirt, you see the fruit of your effort - peanuts. The farmer shakes the dirt until the peanuts are free. I feel like my 40s is the shaking process. Everything is sorting out and there is an incredible sense of peace enveloping me. 

No doubt, the growth and adjustment can be overwhelming from time to time. Things keep shifting, but at the same time, once the peanut has been dusted off, I find that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, with the people I should have on this journey, doing what I am meant to do. 

As I head into 42, I have been looking back over my year. Then I looked back another year. This has been my favorite decade thus far. I like who I am, I like what I am doing, and the best part of all? By the time you hit 40ish - you are typically accomplished career wise, have a solid group of friends you have known 20+ years, and you just don't give a damn what other people think.

Bring on 42! I can't wait.