Reinvention...The Big Island Chapter

THE EVER-SHIFTING SELF
"Many of us dream of a future that's very different from our present. We'll live in Hawaii instead of Hackensack; abandon singlehood for family life; or paint murals for a living."

As I opened a magazine in a waiting room, the title read, "Reinvent Yourself."  Of course this caught my interest and as I started to read the article, I laughed when I came to the part that said, "Many of us dream of a future that's very different from our present.  We'll live in Hawaii instead of Hackensack..."  This was just 2 days before I was moving to Hawaii, a new chapter, a reinvention of sorts.  I'm writing this while sitting on Hawaiian Airlines, just 772 km/ 1hr. 2 minutes away from Honolulu with 2 carry ons and 2 checked suitcases, my stop-over before my new home, Hilo, on the Big Island.  

Life events happen, often unexpected and sometimes seemingly less than ideal.  However, if I have learned anything thus far, it is that happenings that appear negative at the time, can shape us and prepare us for something even better.  When circumstances appear unfavorable, there is always a growth opportunity lying within that can move us towards greatness we weren't even aware was available.  If you would have asked me 1 year ago- At this time next year, will you be living in Hawaii with a photography business, I would have laughed and said, I wish!  However, here I am, happier than ever and running my own business in a craft I have loved my entire life.  

So as I continued reading this "Reinvent Yourself" article urging people to be true to yourself, set goals and take action...I smiled.  I appreciated my parents for raising someone that isn't afraid to take chances, I appreciated my friends that encourage my creative passions.  I appreciated that I am not waiting to go somewhere I've always wanted to go and do what I've always wanted to do until it's too late.  And I appreciated the timing of reading this article as a lovely affirming send off to my next chapter, the Big Island Chapter.