“Whatever bits and pieces of my true self had unraveled over a lifetime as I tried to meet the expectations of others seemed to have knitted themselves back into place.” ~ Alice Steinbach, Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman
Loneliness
At the beginning of my midlife divorce recovery journey, I was so enveloped by the sudden, barren loneliness, that I often failed to see the opportunity for reflection and growth. Our preacher in his sermon recently talked about the value of the desert … those times we are forced to isolation and reflection and even loneliness.
Exploring
Educating Alice should be a must read for women going through divorce at midlife. The author has the advantage of seemingly unlimited funds and connections to make her trip easy, but the same transformation could occur by simply traveling to a neighboring town or state alone to explore not only the new terrain, but also your inner self and your new opportunities.
I did a little of that, but often, instead of seeing the benefits, I often just felt alone. I felt discarded and like a used car that someone grew tired of and wanted a cooler, cuter, sleeker model.
Finding Your Confidence
Looking back, that was totally wrong thinking. The expectations of others (and of my old self) had sort of blunted my own personal dreams and desires. All of you who are starting out on this journey should be doing what Alice Steinbach did.
Listen to this statement of hers near the end of the book and see if you can’t discover more of your own worth and confidence:
“I felt more confident than I had in years. It was a confidence so clear and uncomplicated that, had it been any more ascendant, would have bordered on arrogance. Each
I want so much from my perspective to help you see clearly that your life has more potential in it than you can really dream. Rediscover your confidence and your sure understanding that you are a powerful, beautiful, grace-filled woman on the soul-stirring edge of brand-new-and-amazingly-good life.
“Now we look inside and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start; is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Message)
