What would happen if you let go?
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Greetings!
 More than anything else in my life has ever done, publishing this newsletter has taught me to let go and have faith. That "letting go" part is what has always given me such a hard time. You can ask anyone in my family, or for that matter, any of my friends or colleagues how hard it is for me to relinquish control. I suspect that the words "iron grip" would trip off their lips in record time.
When I launched Your Next Quest Chronicles, I wasn't sure where it would lead me or even where I would find women who had realized their dreams in their late 40s or beyond who would willing to share their journey with me. I let go and had faith in what I was doing. I was filled with an absolute, unwavering, unshakable belief that each month I'd learn of -- or be introduced to -- a Quest Maker and that the process would happen at its own pace.
It's not that I haven't asked people if they know of women in their 40s and beyond who have set out on their own journeys and achieved their dreams. I have. Almost every woman I have interviewed has come to me from a connection of some kind. It's just that I don't fret about whether I will or will not be led to a Quest Maker. I know I will be.
This month I discovered her in Valerie Young's newsletter, Changing Course -- with its question "Who says you can't live your dream?" -- which led me to Beverly Goodman Park. When I read that Beverly had become a lawyer at 61, I was eager to hear more of her story.
What happened when I let go? Every month I get to interview one more woman who has declared "Now it's my time." Every month I get to be inspired by someone like Beverly who didn't care a whit that she was 56 1/2 when she started law school. Every month I get to hear from women just like you and me who let go and had faith in themselves that moved them forward to where they want to be. Ten issues and ten stories later, I am eager to find out what else may happen because I let go.
What might happen if you let go?
P.S. Beverly's favorite flower, a gardenia, is in bloom here.
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Interview with Quest Maker Beverly Goodman Park
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Since she was a little girl, Beverly had wanted to be a lawyer. Even though life got in the way, that dream never went away. After a divorce and with her children grown and on their own, she reclaimed that dream because she wanted it, entering law school at 56 1/2 years old and passing the bar at 61-on the first try! Now a lawyer with a flourishing juvenile defense practice, she has been living her life on her own terms ever since.
When did you decide to embark on your quest?
At what point in your life did you decide to embark on your quest?
Since I was a little kid I had always wanted to be a lawyer. Life got in the way. I married and had children and throughout my life I had no time to do it. Then my life changed. I divorced and I realized that my life wasn't going to be what I thought it would be. I needed to rethink what I would do. One big thing was law school so at 56 ½ I did it and graduated when I was 61.
How has your quest unfolded?
Better than what I expected. I made some adjustments along the way. I originally thought I was going to open my own practice. What I did instead wais go to work for an attorney to get some background and feel my way with research and how a law office worked. That eventually led me to juvenile criminal law where I took court appointed cases. Now I have a career and a very successful juvenile defense practice.
What changes did this bring to your life?
Well, for the first time I was supporting myself totally. I also moved closer to the law school. It meant I made new friends and my old friends had to be understanding. While I did lose some friends because I didn't have time, people should know though that I still kept many of my old ones.
I have been very fortunate in my friends. . .
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July Journal Sparker
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With its questions and exercises, a Journal Sparker can be a spark for reflection or action that can help you take the next step on your journey to where you want to be.
You're never too old to be what you might have been.
-George Eliot
When Beverly Goodman Park decided to fulfill a life long dream, she didn't let her age stand in the way. When she had the opportunity, she just did it. In this month's Journal Sparker,
you'll have an opportunity to explore how you can prepare for your opportunity to do the same.
We've also created a cover sheet if you would like to begin a binder for your Journal Sparkers. |
| Do you know a Quest Maker, a woman who has realized her dream?
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Do you know a woman in her 40s or beyond who declared "now it's my
time," and realized her dream, just like Louise Grasmere has done? Perhaps she's a friend, a family member, an
acquaintance. Perhaps it's you! If she or you would like to considered for an upcoming Quest Maker column in the Chronicles, please send me an email with a brief description and the best way to reach her.
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| Need an idea spark to ignite your own quest?
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Have you decided that now it's your time to claim your own realm and undertake your own voyage of discovery? Except you're not exactly sure how (or even where) to start?You may need an Idea Sparker to help you figure it out. That's where I can help. Learn more about me at www.yournextquest.com.Take the next step with a free 15-minute consultation with me. We'll talk about where you are now and where you want to be and how I can help you get there. Learn more about how I can help you at www.yournextquest.com. Start your journey now by contacting me at info@yournextquest.com or by calling me at 781.583.7185.Together, we can start you on the journey to where you want to be!
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