Awkward Age

I bet you’re thinking....adolescence!  Yep, that’s awkward, all right.  Can’t deny that.  I spent most of my career teaching middle school and all I can tell you is that you better have an usual and very good sense of humor or you’re going to be an extremely frustrated human.

It used to slay me when teachers would yell at their students, “Act your age!!!”
Hello?!  That’s exactly what they’re doing.  My advice to teachers?  Be the adult in the room...never raise your voice or goad your students.  Find joy in the moment no matter how minute.

That may be the most obvious awkward age but not the only one.  Remember how difficult it was to launch into a career path from high school or college?  At least, that’s the way it was for me.  There are those individuals who have a Life Plan.  They know exactly what they want to be when they grow up and doggedly pursue those goals.

Not me.  No clue.  The women I saw were stay-at-home moms or teachers.  I saw nurses at the doctor’s office but they gave me shots.  I dreaded them.  The only other women I saw working were secretaries.  I really didn’t cotton to teaching, even though I was fond of reading to my paper dolls from the age of 5.  I was the fastest typist in my class, but being a secretary was never appealing.

Majoring in Religion and Philosophy didn’t assist me in my career search, although I swear it broadened my very narrow Southern perspective.  The day after I graduated from college, I married and started a family.  Eventually, I worked as a secretary and substitute teacher, returning to get my certifications in teaching and school administration.  Thus, launching my career in education at the age of 30....way behind my peers.

I dabbled in writing, acting, real estate sales, flower arranging, politics, but teaching gave me great health benefits and hours that allowed me more quality time with my children.  Besides, every year I fell in love with my students.  What could be better?

Now, I’ve reached another awkward stage...the stage that follows retirement.  What to do?  Many of my peers put off retirement because they’re conflicted.  Their lives have revolved around their jobs.  They get up to that alarm, trot off to work, put in their eight hours and go out to dinner (does anyone cook anymore?).

There’s a lot of time ahead of us.  Boomers are expected to live well beyond retirement age....the operative phrase being “Live Well.”  Most of us have lived very full lives.  Or maybe I should say we’ve filled our lives....with work schedules, our kids’ schedules, our workout schedules, our TV schedules, our social schedules.

And, now, we’re done with that.  For me, it’s time for Reflection....not something most of us have allowed ourselves to sink into.  I’m done with the Busy-ness.  It’s time to go inward.  Go on a journey.  Who knows where it will lead?

I want to wake up to the bobwhite who serenades me every morning.  I want to take my daily walk, clearing my head and readying myself for meditation.  I want to face my inner demons head on, daring them to take over my life.  I want to live in the moment, not regretting the past or fretting about the future.  I want to be grateful for life’s triumphs and even more grateful for life’s struggles.  I want to live in Joy.

This is my time to confront the Who, What, Where, When and How of Living Well.  Yes, sometimes it may be awkward, but could it be any more exciting?!