Growing up, I was the fat girl with red hair, braces, divorced parents, not an athletic bone in my body.  Boys were always making fun of me for my excessive weight and clumsiness.  I was too fat to this and I was certainly too fat to do that.  I remember being challenged and “dared” to do things by “my good friends” only to be setup to look stupid.  My mother dressed me in the worst clothes possible or they were the only clothes available for a girl my size.  If you remember Sears “Garanimals”, you remember these polyester fashion disasters were not kind to kids of a certain size.

And for the next 40 years, I allowed myself to be defined by that overweight, emotionally neglected little girl.  Most of my important life decisions were limited by the idea that I was not good enough, thin enough, smart enough, strong enough, accepted enough to participate in a fulfilling, rewarding life.  Please don’t get me wrong, I am totally blessed.  This is not a pity party — this is truly a fabulous revelation.  Everything that has happened to me in my past has brought me to exactly where I’m supposed to be.

I am proud of my past, I appreciate my past, I value my past, I AM NOT MY PAST.

It wasn’t until I started by life coaching practice at age 48 that I finally realized that I am no longer that fat, stupid kid.  In fact, I am quite the opposite.  I may not be a size 8 or enough a 10, but I am happy.  My strengths, gifts, talents, blessings are not determined by my weight or my IQ.  They are determined by my values, morals and trust in God.   

Up until the age 48, I allowed myself to be that scared, uncertain girl, but no longer.  In my second half, I have learned so much about myself and my hidden treasures.  I know in my heart that I have the ability, strength, determination to support my business, my full-time job, managing a home, volunteering, nourishing my family and friends. 

If you share any of my childhood struggles, you must know that you are no longer that child.  Through hard work, countless self-help books and programs, therapy, and coaching, I’ve become a resilient grown up.

We are all works in progress.  I continue to work on myself every single day.   I will be honest, I did not come to the realization until recently.  I was working on a new coaching program, when it suddenly came to me that the person I was in my first half does not have to be the person I am in my second half. 

During our first half, there may have been obstacles — our needs, desires, ambitions were squished and rejected by others or because of own limiting beliefs, feelings of unworthiness.  So we never took advantage of apparent possibilities and now in our second half we can. 

Right now, we all have an opportunity for a second chance – this is a crucial time to decide if our lifestyle promotes a stimulated mind, an active body and a fulfilled spirit. 

In our hearts, we know what issues need our utmost attention, we know our strengths, weaknesses, self-imposed limitations. We know what assets to be proud of and what areas need to change.

Right now, I’m concentrating on: 

• Who am I being right now? 

• What action can I take RIGHT NOW that will be for my highest good? 

• What commitment am I willing to take? 

• What impact will my actions have in my life, the life of my family in the long term? 

Remember, everything that has happened in our life has led us to this very moment.  AND 

Right now IS the perfect time and the perfect place to begin…to do whatever we choose to do and we have every right to get it right this time.  Why?  Because it’s about time and it’s about YOU!

This blog also ran on BetterAfter50.com.