What is your Mojo?

I’ve written about this before, but its something I try to  review often.

We hit, 40, 50, 60, or other significant ages.
Suddenly we are faced with new situations, new ideas and a continued emotional growth.

I’ve had a bit of time to reflect recently as I write about my travel adventures, my creative experiments, my ideas and techniques in textile art.

But it hasn’t always been that way.

For 40 years, we had a large family to take care of and I had a business to run.
Life rolled on at an alarming pace. The adventures were many and varied in those days, mostly good, sometimes frightening and the deaths of  three of our children flung us into deep despair.
I’ve known more than my share of grief,  but I’m fortunate to have  Pollyanna on my side.

From a very early age I was looking to find ‘me’ not the daughter my Mum wanted me to be or the wife and Mother that I was in reality.
I was so busy in my 20’s 30’s and 40’s I didn’t have too much time to think about my mojo, but as life has now changed to a senior status  and  there it is raising its ugly head again…

‘Who am I to be now’

It funny isn’t it.  Occasionally there is a comment made that sticks wih us for life.

An  office girl, an employee of a business friend of my Husband Keith once told me she wondered how on earth I could stay home and just be a ‘Housewife’ ‘How revolting’ she said, with her nose in the air.

I was too shy in those days to say, ‘Honey, I’m a lady in waiting’  but it hurt…. I knew I wasn’t going to be a ‘housewife’ all my life.

Her hurtful comments have remained with me, did it spur me on to greater things,  I wonder,  I aso wonder  what  she’s doing now?

Is she an Author, and Artist, a Teacher?

I found my mojo through hard work and experience. 
Through knockdowns and sometimes sheer naivety.  Goodness I grimace when I think of those times.

My quilting style belongs to me and me alone. What I create is from my heart and head and I don’t need to please anyone anymore.

I don’t have to feel obliged to my tutors to follow their rules.

I don’t need a  life with more balance.

I am my own employer  and that allows me the freedom to do what I want.

Despite that I am once again, considering my mojo. 
How do I manage everything, family, work, creativity and considering what I need to achieve in the next few years,  I have a created a map.

My decision gives me a sense of relief, in the knowledge that I have a plan for the next 5 years and as I sit here and write I’m about as satisfied as it gets.

So if you’re looking for your mojo, take a walk, listen to classical music, weigh it all up and take time for yourself.

5 Comments Add yours

  1. Carolyn says:

    Wonderful thoughts and thanks for sharing. I love what you do.

  2. Linda Clark says:

    I bought a card recently, should have bought 2 (one for each of my daughters). The sentiment goes like this…
    she said “so! you’re a stay at home mom…” in a way that insinuated she wouldn’t be caught dead in that job…and i laughed till i cried because i knew she wasn’t qualified.
    Thank goodness for the moms that can be home to raise their own children, instead of leaving the job to others who are not as dedicated to the task or to the children.
    Thanks for sharing your travels and thoughts with those of us who don’t get the opportunity to venture so far from home. You are an inspiration to us all.

  3. Judy Laird says:

    Pam,
    I see it as someone not just questioning what you do but defining who you are. As if we were all so simple as to fit into little boxes to be judged. To me self awareness is a life long process.
    In your personal quest you have given the world many gifts, your awesome quilts, wonderful teaching, and maybe most importantly a bird’s eye view into other cultures. I have learned from you to look past the obvious and see the “beauty”. Thank You.

  4. Wendy in Kennewick says:

    Very timely post! I may be facing an unanticipated early retirement from my job of 36 yrs in the next few months. So I need to give thought to making a plan as well….. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

  5. peggy bass says:

    ty pam, after surviving divorce and life rearranging i am seeking my mojo, at the age of 65…so i will carry on…

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