The Only Constant is Change

Reflections at 60

One thing I have learned during my 60 years on the planet that I have no idea what’s going to happen. I can make my plans. I can show up. I can create. I can hope. I can learn new skills. I can eat right, exercise, drink all the water, and get enough sleep. I can connect with other humans. I can accept or provide support as needed. I can pay my bills, do my taxes, and all of the other adulting that needs to be accomplished.

And still…

Anything can happen. The pandemic taught me that.

This lesson has presented itself numerous times over the course of my life.

Some of them shocking and tough to handle: My parent’s divorce when I was 14; sexual assault; my brothers rapid fall into mental illness at 50 to name a few.

Some of them beautiful and surprisingly life-altering in ways I could never have imagined for myself: Getting pregnant at 36 years-old when I had been on birth control pills for decades not thinking I’d ever have a kiddo and then choosing to give birth to one of the most emotionally intelligent humans I know.

Today it seems the universe is screaming this truth at me.

The shocking and tough to handle

• As of the end of this month I am losing a job I loved supporting healthy relationships and sexuality for vulnerable people due to funding issues.

• The re-election of 45 and the resulting WTAF (I am not going to get into politics here. This is on the list because it was and continues to be a shock to my system.)

• Earlier this year I was asked to leave a band that I loved and had been performing with for 14-years.

The beautiful and surprisingly life-altering

• At the beginning of this year, my mom came into some money after the death of my step-dad and offered me financial support for 2025.

• I have multiple places where I can live and potential possibilities to move abroad.

So the question is, what am I going to do?

I'm going to do what I've always done—step forward into the unknown with as much grace and courage as I can muster. Remember that I have always been able to create a new path with the circumstances I’m given. I'll grieve what's been lost, celebrate what's been gained, and remain open to whatever surprises life has in store.

After all, the only constant is change, and my 60 years have taught me that I'm stronger and more adaptable than I ever thought possible.

So here's to the next chapter, whatever it may hold. I may not know what's coming, but I’m learning more and more about who I am, and that will have to be enough.