There have been two times in my life when I spoke directly to the Universe and directly to God asking for more time. Both life threatening. And both life altering.
The first time was 14 years ago, November 2009, when I had a dissection of one of the arteries in my brain and then became septic. It was in the middle of the night and I was on a stretcher being taken for a CT scan. I was aware of the medical severity of my situation…
“Not yet. Please. I’m not ready.”
The second time was August 23rd of this year. Following excruciating chest pain my cardiac enzymes were rising, the cardiologist had presented the options, and within minutes the team was transporting me from the ER to the cardiac catheterization floor. Once again, I understood the severity of my situation and the potential worse case scenarios…
“Not yet. Please. I’m not ready.”
Of course, both times what I really meant was that I was not ready to leave my kids. How could I be? They needed me, and I knew I had to be there for them—for all their joys, struggles and life milestones. Whether they were 9 and 7 or 23 and 21, I knew I wasn’t ready for them to be without me.
What I learned 14 years ago was that I also wasn’t ready to leave this world because I had more life to experience, more to share, and more to give to others. My life had a purpose, and I needed more time to achieve it.
After processing that experience, I realized that the Universe had provided me with a pause and then an amazing opportunity to redirect my life—to make small shifts and major changes along my journey in order to carry out my life in a meaningful and purposeful way—to become the woman you know today.
Since the most recent encounter with my mortality, I’ve been quietly taking inventory. Deep down I believe that the Universe has given me another pause and an opportunity to redirect my next life chapter and my future. It’s unsettling and I don’t know all my answers. There are things I would like to change, and some things that I’m afraid to change. My life purpose is being questioned and sometimes I feel lost. But, there’s comfort knowing that once the internal work settles, the appropriate external actions will happen.
This time, however, I feel that time is limited. No more time to waste.
So, this is my offering to you today…
Let’s look at your next life chapter. Usually, I view life chapters in increments of 5 or 10 years, but you can choose your own duration.
Today if you were to say, “Not yet. Please. I’m not ready,” what would that mean to YOU?
What changes would you want to make in your life? What new possibilities would you create for yourself? Where would you want to be? With whom would you spend your time? And how would you spend your time?
If you knew that time was limited, would you care what others thought of your choices? Life is short and life is precious. Perhaps it’s time to start making those changes.
Everything in your life (the good and the bad) happens for you own growth and learning. Your challenges and struggles can become incredible catalysts for change and life transformations if you let them. Take time to find the opportunities. Connect with your passions. Listen to your inner voice. Find your life purpose.
Embrace the pause and the redirection. That’s what I do.
With love,
Heather
