| There is a great deal of talk and sound evidence that | | | | The Lesson |
| boomer women today have exciting new opportunities | | | | Are we likely to experience a fairy tale encounter |
| available to us as we approach the remaining chapters | | | | such as this? We all attract into our lives what we |
| of our lives. Many of us whether by circumstance or | | | | think about and believe to be possible and we each |
| design are coming to realize how precious this time is | | | | have our own version of happiness and what we |
| and are eager to embrace these new possibilities. We | | | | want. I shared this as an example of important |
| are coming to see this special time as an opportunity | | | | instances when our fear of change, failure and the |
| to take stock of what has occurred, what no longer | | | | unknown can stop us from taking risks that might keep |
| serves us and what we want to grow for ourselves in | | | | us from pursuing something we really do want. |
| the future. It all sounds so easy doesn't it? But in reality | | | | I spent a day with her before she left and discovered |
| there is one very necessary ingredient that we must | | | | that her thinking was not as impulsive as it might seem. |
| be willing to add to the formula to make it all happen. | | | | In fact she had done a pretty thorough "Risk |
| This past December I wrote an article on my blog | | | | Assessment". Using this example, here are 4 simple |
| about a very dear friend of mine and her brave and | | | | questions to help you overcome your fear of risk or |
| enlightened view of life that eventually led her to a | | | | failure and better assess if you are willing to take a |
| drastic and dramatic lifestyle change. Her story so | | | | risk. |
| reminded me of the classic Cinderella fairy tale that I | | | | 1) What is the worst thing that could happen? She |
| titled the article "Risk and a Modern Cinderella Story." | | | | could sell her house and most of her belongings and |
| The Story | | | | move to a foreign country and the relationship fails. |
| To make a long story short over the past few years | | | | She could discover she misses the U.S. |
| she experienced a great deal of change in her life. To | | | | |
| be brief, a sudden and unexpected health issue that | | | | 2) What is the best thing that could happen? She loves |
| nearly killed her and took her short term memory and | | | | living in Argentina and the relationship is wonderful. |
| livelihood and a relationship that ended suddenly. But | | | | Better still, she is living in a country where her passion, |
| instead of giving in she continued with her passion for | | | | tango dancing, is a way of life and not just a hobby. |
| life, Tango Dancing and looking forward. | | | | She becomes an expert dancer and has the |
| There came an opportunity for two lengthy visits to | | | | opportunity to explore tango dancing therapy, a new |
| Argentina to submerge in the culture and most | | | | and emerging interest of hers. |
| importantly, Dance the Tango to her heart's content. | | | | 3) What are the possible consequences if the worst |
| Of course she grabbed it. It was on one of these visits | | | | happens? She could leave the relationship and return |
| that she met the special someone. Although their | | | | to the U.S. and build a new life and home here again. |
| physical time together was brief that magical "thing" | | | | 4) What are some alternative outcomes? She might |
| that is so unexplainable; a knowing, an intuition that this | | | | choose to stay in Argentina and build a single life there |
| is right grew after her return. | | | | if she loves living in Argentina. She could also have |
| In what seemed to be a far too short amount of time | | | | gained the skill to teach tango therapy either here or in |
| her handsome prince asked her to join him in Argentina | | | | Argentina. If she did return, she would want a smaller |
| and for her hand in marriage. She put her home on the | | | | and more manageable home as she was feeling |
| market, an incredible unique place filled with interesting | | | | ready for a home with less responsibility and |
| treasures collected and created over the years. She | | | | maintenance even before this unique opportunity came |
| gave away and sold a lifetime of possessions. | | | | along. |
| Interestingly throughout this process there was never a | | | | After continuing to explore the above questions and |
| sign of regret. She took only what she needed for her | | | | journaling ideas and thoughts that came to her as a |
| new life in a small number of suitcases and an even | | | | result of these questions she ultimately came to the |
| smaller amount that were shipped. She now enjoys | | | | decision to go. |
| small accommodations in the city and a liberating walk | | | | She was single, did not have children and it was a |
| live lifestyle. | | | | dream she really wanted to explore. Bottom line, she |
| The Risk | | | | could stay "safe" and shackled to "things'" and a life |
| I think it's important to understand that my friend is not | | | | she had outgrown or risk, thrive and shape a life that is |
| what anyone would call impetuous. In fact she is | | | | more of who she is now. |
| known to be very intelligent, accomplished and she is | | | | Of course this is an unusual example and there is |
| looked up to by her many friends. Needless to say | | | | much more to the story than is revealed here but I |
| each of these friends had their own version of well | | | | refer to it because it so clearly and perfectly illustrates |
| intentioned concern. The questions we all pelted her | | | | how in order to discover, change and grow we must |
| with were obvious. Shouldn't she rent her home for a | | | | be willing to set aside our fears and risk. For it is in this |
| while to see how this turns out? Shouldn't she get to | | | | risk, whether large or small, that growth and the |
| know him better before she takes such irreversible | | | | opportunity to live a life of consequence, a life without |
| actions? What if the relationship doesn't work out? | | | | regrets can occur. It is what makes life rich, interesting |
| What if she needs help? | | | | and keeps us alive and thriving! |
