Becoming

Who am I becoming? That thought’s been with me since I listened to Michelle Obama on Oprah’s podcast. Although I haven’t read her book Becoming (family members looking for gifts, please take note), she chose that title because she recognized that she is still becoming. Becoming more herself. Becoming more confident and centered. Becoming more of who she was meant to be.

I love the notion that becoming doesn’t stop. We don’t reach some mystical point in life where we finally made it…we’re done…all our work here is finished. I can remember when I thought 23 was so grown up. And then I thought I’d have it all together, for sure, by the time I was 40. [Spoiler: That didn’t happen, although I did learn that you shouldn’t tell anyone that you don’t really have it together]. Now, in my fifties, I’m actually comfortable knowing that I have to keep learning, changing, growing, and becoming. If I ever get set, it might mean my time here is drawing to a close.

So that got me thinking about what I’m becoming. For a long time, I was focused on becoming successful, a professional woman, a good leader, financially independent, a role model, someone to be admired and even envied. Looking back, those seem like such meaningless things to become, or at least, titles and achievements not worthy of the time and lifeblood I spent on them.

So what am I becoming these days? Saner, more resilient, calmer, happier, more content with life as it is. I’m becoming someone who cooks (my roasted veggies for Thanksgiving were a hit) and travels wherever my heart takes me. I’m becoming someone in service to my community, my family and my friends. My photography is getting better, my hikes are getting longer, and my sleep is peaceful and restorative. I’m becoming more energized to be the change I want to see in the world and less defeatist about challenging times. I’m less fearful about money and prestige, and more accepting of things I can’t control but that I don’t like.

But more than anything, I’m becoming more of my best self every day. I haven’t written a blog in a while because work is booming and a million other things are happening. As I make these notes, I realize how much I’ve missed it and how much honestly telling my story helps me focus on what’s working and address what isn’t. I feel a resolution coming on…more blogs in 2019. That seems manageable.

I’d love to hear what you are becoming. Share it here as a way to practice gratitude around this marvelous Thanksgiving!