My Personal Story: Lynn Shepherd

I entered my Second Act with an identity crisis in tow. Within the span of a few short years, my entire life was turned upside down. My long-term marriage ended, and with it, the lifestyle which defined who I was. Everything I loved revolved around my family. Family gatherings, country living, raising horses. Gone. My marriage was over and my children were becoming adults and starting lives of their own. I moved away from the home I had helped design and build. From mini-farm living to an apartment. The comfort of family and familiarity was suddenly and irretrievably gone. Even my grandmother with whom I shared a very strong bond moved away to join my parents in Florida.

There I was. Feeling very much alone and not quite knowing who I was anymore. I had always defined myself as a wife, mother, and homemaker. The fact that I worked outside the home was not part of my internal compass. It was just a job. All that changed.

Suddenly, work was all I had. And work I did. Six days a week, twelve hours a day. By all outward appearances, I was successful. I built a beautiful new home, drove a great car, had a good income, and was investing for my future. But I was not at peace with myself. There was no balance. In my mind, I was living someone else's life.

The Prayer of Serenity had been my mantra for years:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

It was the courage to change that was so difficult for me. My life was controlled by the fear of "what ifs."  But that was about to change.

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