Who We Are Now

I started writing this blog, Living a Life Imagined, over 7 years ago. I heard that's the amount of time it takes us humans to regenerate new cells throughout our entire bodies.

Which is fascinating and mind-boggling on so many levels. But I'm not a geneticist or biologist, so if you want more scientific details, you'll have to ask Google. (Then please let me know!)

But what I can tell you is that in that time, I have successfully made the switch from being an attorney to being a writer. I've published two stories, a children's chapter book and a sci-fi short story inspired by my childhood with additional elements of time and space travel.

I built my own company, propelling myself up a massive entrepreneurial learning curve. Along the way, I've expanded my services from copyediting and proofreading to developmental and diversity editing, and then to writing coaching and speaking. I even hosted several writing retreats, one of which was in a castle.

And earlier this year, I switched gears again and pared down my interests to writing and hosting the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest. It's been an incredible journey and every step of the way, I've continued to ask myself who I am, what I want out of my time on this earth, and how I can make the world a better place.

Since I am now a thoroughly new person than I was when I started this venture, it's time to reintroduce myself.

How to summarize who I am? Well, I'm old enough to know that the definition changes, but here's what makes me me these days:

• I'm an artist. Creativity is essential.

• I'm a deep thinker. I take my time and prefer to ponder rather than rush through.

• But I'm starting to rediscover a playfulness and lightness that allows me to wing it and just enjoy the pleasures of life. I'm stepping into the belief that safety can be found in imperfection too.

• I'm a gender equity advocate. Seeing power imbalances gets me all sorts of fired up.

• I recently came out as agender. I love living free of societal expectations and listening to my own inner voice instead.

• I've lived in the US most of life, as well as Mexico, China, and London. After a 15-year hiatus, I started traveling internationally again and it soothes my soul.

• I'm Native American and White, and my Indian name is Nijgan Bamsid Manidog aka One Who Walks With Spirits.

• I believe we can create anything we want in life by manifesting it, but sometimes I get discouraged about where I'm at in the process.

• I feel better when I connect with people and that shapes the fundamentals of my everyday work as a writer and writing contest judge.

• I believe in the magic of everyday life, and I feel so fortunate to be alive. And then I feel tired and grumpy and resentful. And then I ride the waves and keep on surfing this miraculous, crazy, beautiful, awful experience we call life.

As I've evolved, I've continued to write. It helps me understand myself and clarifies my thoughts. Since I share this blog with the world, it has also enabled me to connect with other beautiful souls worldwide.

I so enjoy the responses I get from you, my dear blog readers. So today I'd love to hear from you. How have you changed in the past 7 years? What are you inspired by? You could tell me anything from your favorite color to your life's purpose. Let's get to know each other all over again.

Whether you drop me a note or not, please know that I am so grateful you're here. To those of you who have been reading since day one, to everyone who's recently joined, and to all of you in between, thank you for being in my world. I just adore the heck out of you!