Out of the Gate

Life is complicated and we live in uncertain times. Sure, that lack of control can feel—frustrating. Yet it too can be quite uplifting, in a way. Sometimes that uncertainty can be a good catalyst for a mental and emotional reality check on the current state of our lives. As we navigate a blended world of family, work, friends, etc., it’s easy to go through the motions without finding joy in all the little celebratory moments happening along the way. That is understandable. To use an analogy we’re familiar with here in Kentucky’s horse country; this ride called life often runs on a very sloppy track!

Life is a series of twists and turns. Good days and bad ones. Emotions are constantly and dependent upon the season of life we are experiencing. I find myself in a season of transition. As empty nesters, my husband and I downsized to another home, I sold my business, and earned an MBA at the ripe age of 55.

So, while my horse is out of the gate, so to speak, I needed to push pause and take stock of my life for the first time in my adulthood. I felt compelled to look in the rear view mirror to see how far I’ve really come. Now, I get to make new choices and direct where I’m heading next. It’s been a time for reflection and lots of soul
searching. Realistically, I am mapping out my next chapter.

All this reflecting has sparked numerous conversations and storytelling among a wide range of folks in my life. Reminiscing about our lives can be therapeutic. For me, all this down-to-earth, honest dialogue with people I trust has crystalized the significant role that simple life-living experiences play in our evolution. From childhood through adulthood, all of these experiences add up to a few “learning takeaways” that can be packaged in the form of a story or two.

There is such power in storytelling. There is even more power in story sharing.

The fact that we all have our own genuine tales inspired me to put my own personal stories and reflections in writing, with the intention of creating an inclusive platform for igniting ideas, provoking actions, or validating decisions.

I encourage you to take it all in through your personal lens. The snippets of life captured in this book are relatable. Be prepared to laugh out loud. Cry at the fact that life can be tough. Take deep breaths and enjoy the raw realities of it all. With that spirit in mind, I invite you to embrace, share, and most importantly, join the conversation with your own stories.