Tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of the day I entered a women’s shelter with my three children, ages 15, 11 and 4. It was a time in my life when I didn’t know what else to do, nor where else to go. I lived away from family and friends; my finances were rapidly depleting because of being on sick leave; and, my marriage was in turmoil. Hope had diminished, and I questioned, “How did I ever get here?”
Reflecting on the choices that brought me to these cross-roads, I recalled the line, “Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence and three times is a pattern.” I needed to wake up… I was twice married, twice in major financial difficulty, twice lost in life… I was on the road to creating a recurring pattern in my life. This was not my plan for my life, nor for my children. At 43 years of age, I wanted better… I needed to change!
It was then I encountered this quote, “It will take you the rest of your life to keep living the way you are and five years to turn your life completely around.” This restored my hope. I came to realize that by setting a new direction and learning new thought patterns both myself and my children could thrive. By adding new understandings, skills and habits to my daily choices so much could change. Five years to turn my life completely around sounded like a wonderful proposition.
Now, 20 years later, I’m celebrating 12 years of marriage to a brilliant man; enjoying a blended family of 7 children and 9 grandchildren; having fun with friends; traveling; living with financial stability; experiencing good health; embracing new opportunities with a maturing business; and, participating in diverse community activities. Sometimes I can’t believe how far I’ve come. Life is so different than it was on November 3rd, 1997.
When I began to address all aspects of my life and the way I thought about them, the five-year plan worked. I pushed myself to grow and make the changes needed. I reconciled with, and began to heal from my past bloopers and pain. I became a better version of me.
Being intentional about turning ones’ life around takes self-reflection, work, diligence, perseverance and, often, help from others. It takes getting uncomfortable.
I’m just completing my fourth set of five-year plans and I’m excited for what lies ahead, knowing that in 2022 my life, again, will be completely different and even more outstanding.
Are you or anyone you know in need of a life turnaround? I can help. Contact me at https://bettyfranklin.com/contact/ or simply begin on your own by reading GUTS, Get Uncomfortable To Succeed – Embracing Health, Balance and Abundance. Purchase a signed copy for yourself, or consider giving it as a Christmas gift by going to https://bettyfranklin.com/guts-the-book/.