If You’re Waiting for Permission, Here It Is

We always wanted to travel for fun. So, we gave ourselves "permission" to buy a lovely camper and hit the road!

There comes a point in a woman’s life—maybe after the kids are grown, the career has shifted, the body has whispered a few lessons, and the mirror starts to show not just age, but wisdom—when something inside stirs. A longing. A quiet ache to finally say, "Now What?" or maybe even“Now me.”

But then, like an old habit that dies hard, we wait.

We wait for someone to say it’s okay. We wait for the right time, the right body weight, the right amount of money in the bank. We wait for someone to invite us, choose us, validate us. We wait for the stars to align just right. We wait for permission.

Well, sister — if you’re waiting for permission, here it is.

I love ART! Of all kinds. And nowadays I travel to study with art masters and learn. It was SCARY at first. But now it's something I love to do!

You are allowed. You are allowed to reinvent or grow yourself. To start over, start again, or start something brand new. You are allowed to say "no". To change your mind. To outgrow groups, places, and roles that no longer fit the woman you’ve become.

You are allowed to be bold, be seen, be loud, be quiet, be whatever you feel compelled to be. Not just for your family, or your community, or the next generation—but because it's who you just ARE.

You’ve earned your voice. Your scars are stories. Your laughter is legacy. Your desires are valid. And you know what? There's still time! You are still on this side of the sod, so take this time and pick something new!

OK - it's important for me to clarify a couple of ground rules! This is NOT saying we blow off everything from our past and walk away from our necessary responsibilities. No, my friend. Those things are what crafted who and what we are. They are the sad, happy, mad, crazy, challenging stories, people and happenings that brought us to this juncture. So, I will NEVER say it's time to divorce yourself from people and relationships. Nope...my policy is ADD TO those. Maybe refocus and certainly DREAM so that you are able to grow past what has limited you thus far.

Aside from being moral and legal, there are no gatekeepers holding the keys. No jury to convince. No quota on joy, love, or second (or seventh) chances.

This life is a gift to you.

Write the book. Book the trip. Launch the business. Change your style. Take the class. Plant the garden. Let yourself fall in love— with life, or maybe for the first time in decades—with who you are beautifully and wonderfully designed to be!

So if you were waiting for someone to give you the go-ahead—my dear friend, you’ve had it all along. But just in case you needed to hear it loud and clear:

Here is your permission! To dream, to dare, to begin. Now go do the thing. We’re all cheering for you.