Living to be 100 I believe can be so inspiring. No, I am not 100 years old! I am half way there and I can only hope I can live that long of a happy life. Feeling 100 is a common statement in today’s world meaning “I am feeling great.” Yes, I am feeling great but that is not why this blog has the title “Feeling 100.”
I am happy to announce that I am going to be publishing my 100th Episode of my Podcast, Wide Open Spaces with Ilise. I wish I could truly express how thrilled I am that I have actually been able to talk 100 times out into my listening land. I mean “Yay for Me!” but there is a lot more to this then just the surface, that 100 Episodes have been published.
The real Epiphany is that anyone can Reinvent themselves. Reinvention is creating something new, changing the look of something or it has changed so much it looks totally new. I was asked over a year ago to speak as a Motivational Speaker to address a large group of women about how I Reinvented Myself. Unfortunately, that speaking engagement was canceled because Covid was bad at that time. I remember how the thought of talking about how “I Reinvented Myself,” wasn’t even something that I thought I did. I had to step back for a sec and look hard at myself and ask myself was this really a Reinvention of Myself? My skillset was always working in a hospital or outpatient environment working with clients that had Mental Health struggles. I then became this stay at home mom and an ear that many people, either friends, family or acquaintances used for some unofficial advice. To be completely honest I loved when my close friends trusted me enough to open up to me. It was the others who I barely knew or rarely called me that would reach out to me and want my time and advice. Don’t get me wrong I spent the time with them, I truly just didn’t like feeling used. Covid took over the world and everybody’s life became altered. I guess this is where the Reinvention of Ilise came to true fruition. I just never looked at it this way until I was asked to speak on how I Reinvented Myself.
Sitting here at my computer with the excitement of publishing my 100th Episode, I realize how an Idea became a reality and not just something that kept me busy during the Pandemic. It wasn’t easy starting to learn how to Podcast, Blog and dealing with the whole world of Social Media. I had to purchase the right equipment and software without any real guidance other then a good Google search. In the back of my head there was always that small voice saying, “I will try it and I can always stop or is there really anyone listening to me and am I just talking to myself?” I was wondering will I be one of those people who tried something knew but when it got too hard I would just give up on it? Guess what, I had all of those thoughts and more. Podcasting and Blogging was not just a hobby during the Pandemic for me. Podcasting and Blogging has become a job and a life changing experience personally and professionally. I realized that through my growth and professional history I could really change the world or just one person. The words that came out of my mouth into a microphone and a computer was helping others to make positive changes in their lives and to learn new creative ways to cope with life’s challenges.
Personally, I was changing internally, becoming a new evolved individual . I gained more insight into myself through Podcasting. Who knew this is where my life direction would turn and change. I stand back now and I realize that I really did Reinvent Myself. It is even greater then that because my Reinvention has also given me a way to help others. To share my struggles with others with the hope that I can help just one person who might be going through the same thing as me. The feedback I receive from my listeners and readers well that is all the validation that I need that I Reinvented Myself. I have truly grown and who would have thought a Global Pandemic would be the motivator.
I can truly and whole heartedly say that anyone can Reinvent Themselves. Statistics state that the average individual changes their profession about three times during a lifetime. I am talking to you! Yes, you can Reinvent Yourself also. I won’t lie, it will be a challenge, you will hit roadblocks but it’s all about how hard and high do you want to climb that mountain. I actually find excitement in the fact that I am telling you that you can Reinvent Yourself. I know you will have to dig deep, tap into unfinished dreams and desires. Sometimes feelings of failure may arise because you have not accomplished some of these desires but never say never. If you would have told me five years ago that I would be a Podcaster and Blogger, I would have said, “What is a Podcaster?” I am not a Journalist, I did study some Journalism is college but that sure doesn’t mean I can be a Podcaster. I could have let all of these negative thoughts become a brick wall for me and so can you. The truth is you have to make a commitment to yourself. This new adventure will be something that you will put the time and research into. Dedication through the tough times will come into play and you will have to work through those feelings. I like to think the Journey is just as important as the final destination.
Reading this I know someone out there is having internal visions of some journey, job or creative venture that they have always wanted to tap into, “Reinventing Yourself.” Please, Reinventing Yourself does not mean getting up and leaving your entire life spontaneously. I am talking about you evolving into something braver, better, more knowledgable, more challenged and tapping into an inner desire that has always been there. A desire that is buried deep down inside of you, that has always wanted to come to the surface. Give yourself permission to start out with small steps and take the time to prepare yourself for this Reinvention of Yourself. Set time aside each day to devote to making plans for what this will look like for you. I want you to always keep in mind that goodness and greatness takes time to accomplish and it’s ok to take it slow. It took a long time through a global pandemic, struggles, loss and personal growth to reach 100 Episodes of a Podcast. The beauty is that I did it! I can see when I step back how I really have Reinvented Myself. I chuckle a little to myself as I remember my Dad( who has passed) tell me after I had published a few podcasts say, “I don’t get it? Why do you talk so soft? All you do is talk the whole time? Ok, if that is what you want to do, maybe I need to listen again.” Unfortunately, he never got the chance to listen and see how a small idea of mine has become such a successful and life changing decision. I like to think he sees me now and he is the one chuckling because he is so proud of me and he would say, “I was wrong, you did it, the podcast is great and I am so proud of you.” Yes, of course I am crying as I write this because I am sad he isn’t here but I know I am proud of myself and he would be as well.
This is what it feels like when you Reinvent Yourself. I will continue to evolve and challenge myself. I hope I have given you the insight, drive and have ignited that spark inside you to want to take the first steps to Reinvent Yourself. I wish I had a magic wand to make it happen for you but then you would miss the Journey and that is where all of the growth and self empowerment will come from with inside you.
I will be Celebrating me and you in the next couple of weeks as my 100th Episode becomes published. I am having fun planning the festivities and I am doing it all with a big sense of accomplishment. The girls words you are reading are not from the same girl who started a Podcast during a Pandemic. I have evolved and changed for the better, I Reinvented Myself.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS CREATE POSITIVE ENERGY
GO OUT AND EXPLORE ALL OF THE WIDE OPEN SPACES IN YOUR WORLD
HAPPY 100TH WIDE OPEN SPACES WITH ILISE
CIAO,
ILISE
