"I have always known my life was never going to be about following the crowd or living as a status quo person"
-Muriel Boivin
As a child I was too young to know the large impact small choices could make in the lives of others and how these choices, have expanding impact long after the actions were lived. I began my journey with a desire to discover how to live a life that was conducive to well being. I used whatever tools I had in the moments of every age to bring me to where I am today. Looking up at the stars at 5 years old in the quiet darkness, there was something greater than me that I understood was eternal, and that the universe is really mysterious and big. This was my authentic all-knowing self.
At 16 years old, I began a recreation program for seniors in my community. I felt passionate and empowered while creating something that was using the gifts I was born to share. I loved the expansiveness of energy that followed what happened. Our local high school had become aware of the program for seniors, so they offered students a school credit for volunteer hours. The students would sing and play guitar in the large common room. Some would shoot a game of pool, play cards or just have a good old fashion conversation. Creating a birthday committee for the residents was fun too. A celebration of life young and old. When I left my hometown to attend university for teaching, the seniors centre eventually hired a full time Recreation Director.
When I went away to teach, I was only 18 years old. I lasted 4 months at school. It was not my calling and I had no drive to stick it out for 4 more years. It didn't sit well with me to leave a school system that I had never felt comfortable in, only to return to it as a teacher. I wasn't feeling any passion or burning desire. I was following what everyone else thought I should do. All I could see was a life that was not meant for me to live and so I came back home in pursuit of my dreams. It was then that I met the love of my life and went down a path less traveled.
I always wanted to get married and have a family. I was also really passionate about learning about life and the deep meaning of it. I wanted to teach and share these concepts. I read many books, attended many seminars and listened to many teachers speak on triumph, success, wellness, spirit and the resilience of the human journey. I was inspired by the wisdom of my teachers and moved to action to find my own way to live life to the fullest. I lived the dream of raising 2 beautiful sons with a wonderful husband of over 33 years, who is my best friend and the love of my life. Was it all easy and a bed of roses? Definitely not. We were hit hard with many challenges and as I reflect back, never once did I ever wish it were different because that is what made me the person I am today. That is what made be the Hero of my own life.
To see my challenges as opportunities and to live the experience of my resilient spirit, rising again after a fall. Inspiration comes with passion and a commitment to be fully alive. When you are awake and aware, your choices are so much more powerful. Everything you do matters. What you think matters. What you decide matters. You are impacting the world with your choices.
Being a leader in my own life was always who I was meant to be and deep down I knew it. It just took me a long time to stand in my space and to live freely. I had to learn to express who I was, even when it made me vulnerable. There is a certain freedom in being you. The price to pay is always greater when you do not follow your passion and live life authentically. The courage and the wisdom that come from struggle on your way is worth the return on investment. The risks you take to live with inspiration will free your soul.
I could write a whole book on how I searched and found the love of my life by trusting my gut, and saying yes to the path less traveled. I could write another book on careers ups and down and taking risk over and over again as you try to fit into jobs rather than having them fit me. It is my intention to share some helpful tools of wisdom gained from my own life and from the years of listening to inspiration from others.
You are the Hero of your story. Now you need to trust yourself enough to awaken the part of you that knows how to live life with zest and to reveal your authentic self to the world.
It is wonderful to read your thoughts and your work! You are inspiring me, and this is great! Respectfully, Bonnie Kogos