In April 2008 I left my corporate job. After years of slaving for “The Man,” as my husband calls it, I had an opportunity to stay home and write. Once gainfully unemployed, I wondered, “What now?” I knew the obvious: write like crazy. But I had no idea what my day or week or life would look like. I had spent more than 30 years in the trenches, giving my employers the best of me. I was giddy with excitement, but also overwhelmed. I needed a plan! I needed a strategy!
Knowing that I was in an important transition, I wanted to take some time to figure out how to structure my new freedom, and I chose a visit to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. There, in the bookstore, I stumbled upon Tama J. Kieves’s book This Time I Dance: Creating the Work You Love. She poses an interesting question: If you’re this successful doing work you don’t love, what could you do with work you do love?
Tama’s book wasn’t exactly aimed at me — after all, I already knew what I wanted to do. However, with her warm and inviting tone, I felt that I had found a friend on the journey, someone who understood me. Tama was a Harvard-educated lawyer who chucked it all to find her bliss, and did. As I started to carve my own path, it helped to have someone point the way with hands clapping and a voice ringing out that said, “You can do this!”
From Tama, I realized that I didn’t need a plan. I already had one. What I needed, and what she provided, was validation to go for it. And I have, Tama, I have.
On this Blog Thursday, I honor Tama by sharing her blog with you. I love her poetic way of expressing herself and her deep authenticity. Since I’ve written about rest a lot this week, I thought of her — after she left her legal career, she spent a long time resting and unwinding in order to clear her head to find her path. She is a shining example of the power of rest!
If you’re searching for your passion, or, if you’re like me and have found your passion but are at the “What’s next?” stage, check out Tama’s website and/or Facebook page. She offers inexpensive classes, a community forum, and coaching. She also pops up at Kripalu, Omega, and other venues to offer workshops.
You’re fortunate to have complete freedom. I’m sure you’ll find the right balance of work and play.
I am indeed grateful to have the freedom that I do! I think I hit my stride about a year and a half ago, where I felt I had found that balance. I am very Puritanical, however, and I still tend to work harder than I should! It took me so many years to allow myself to write that I’m trying to make up for lost time!