FINDING MY DIVINE PURPOSE WHEN THE NEST IS EMPTY, AND THE HEART IS FULL
“How Will You Redecorate your Life’s Nest?”

It’s that time of year when those we have been given to care for,  to parent, to guide and direct are leaving the nest.  No matter what age they are, they are leaving.  From the age of 5 to 18+ our charges are going off to world.  From the first day of kindergarten, first date of middle school, first day of high school, first day of college/grad/law school, first day of internship or finally the first day of a new job; they are leaving. Our babies who will always be our babies are going somewhere.

We either have kids of our own or know kids who are starting school or college this month. There’s a mix of emotions with this season of change – excitement, anxiety, sadness – and a gentle reminder that time is passing quickly. There is growth and change!

There isincredible  movement, change, newness and uncertainty.  NOW WHAT is in store for YOU?

I have been at each of these stages with my son and it was the most daunting experience, doing off to college; as it was the tangible, visible symbol of him LEAVING!  Packed up, moving in somewhere other than home without us and with all his chosen familiar items; setting up a life under a new roof with new people. I was left for days, months asking the question “how did this happen?” and “how did it happen so quick?’

This moment if our life and it seems like much more than a moment is a very special opportunity to CHOOSE!  The choice is “what will I do next?”  To have this opportunity and not ask or to dismiss it may be a missed opportunity or a delayed response to this incredible gift.  The Circle of Life as the Lion King so aptly shares is revolving and moving on.  Will you move with it or stand in cement boots unable to move with the Circle?

It’s daunting to witness them moving on to the next milestone!  The most real symbol is that YOU too have this moment to move on. BREATHE – Just take that in………….  this is not just about your child but also a golden opportunity for YOU to GROW!!!

When my son left for college that was truthfully my crossroad moment in my life.  I was confused, foggy, weepy, and just out of it.  I would pass his room and get a sick feeling.  I would look at my husband and long for the 3 of us as a family.  After the process of realization, it hit me he; is ok, more than ok and I was not needed in the capacity that I was serving in the past.  I had this threshold to go thru and live my NEXT CHAPTER!!!  I just didn’t see it at first.  It seemed impossible and most painful.  My next steps and movement from that aha moment is found in a blog that I wrote for Huffington Post.

I took new first steps for my life.  I was published for the first time, I went to grad school to get my master’s Degree, I traveled more, I looked in the eyes of my husband more.  I looked into my eyes more and for the first time in a long time, I realized I was lost!  I wasn’t the same and I wasn’t sure how to be NEW!

So, I am asking you wherever they are going in their leg of their journey; where are you going? What are you doing to have more JOY time in YOUR life?  What are you willing to do and how are you willing to get out of your comfort zone to take risks and live for your own LIFE?  As parents and MOMS, this is a very unsettling time.  We almost tell ourselves and whisper to ourselves “status quo” keep things the same until the bus comes back in the afternoon, or the car arrives back home, or until  the first time we can go to the campus, or the first time they say they are coming home, or the first phone call where we hear their voice.  We are in the stagnant, complacent, willing to be in that inertia space without a compass or direction  to take our lives to the next location.

And the truth is ……….  That is ok for the moment and it is our gift to change the narrative, move our feet, ride the sea of change and get busy LIVING, dating, blogging, writing crafting, kissing, singing, dancing, loving, joying, reading, self-caring, growing, smiling, or whatever the hell it is that makes butterflies in your tummy or your heart skip a beat.  JUST DO IT!

So, the title of my first published article in Huffington Post was “FINDING MY DIVINE PURPOSE WHEN THE NEST IS EMPTY, AND THE HEART IS FULL!!! “My heart was full, and I moved forward to a state of readiness to discover my divine purpose and assignment.  I did just that and that is how ReFRESH was born.  I have a new assignment and opportunity to share with others and be of service.  This was how I wandered into my DIVINE place.

So, I challenge you – ask yourself this question whether the children, kids in your charge are 5 or 20, ask YOURSELF these questions:

1. Am I living my assignment?
2. Am I living a life of joy and satisfaction or more?
3. Am I living my passion?
4. Am I moving to my next plateau?
5. Am I growing, realizing heartfelt dreams and alive each day?
6. Am I seeking my what next?

We love your children if we have them and if you are reading this and you don’t have them, the same applies.  Life is for living – are YOU living the life you so well deserve?  Whether the empty nest is kids leaving, a divorce, a firing, a new relationship or just a NEW YOU!  Change is change, empty is empty and it is a golden gift for reading and creating YOUR NEXT CHAPTER!  I will b Sending love and light to your special situation.

Go find that life and if you want support – I am here and available for support and the ReFRESH community is here for you!  Find where you belong it’s not which one it is the first steps towards the action of discovery.

Just DO It!!!!!  Next steps, next steps, next steps!!!!!!!!

Wishing you the most JOY in YOUR JOURNEY!

With love and gratitude,

Helen