I am new to the blogging world, the website world, and the speaking world. And although the proverbial "green pea", navigating uncharted waters, I am nonetheless fascinated as well as fearful of what is to come.
I've titled this post as the "Re" of Cindy Charlton because at the age of 53 I find my self re-defining who I am, re-evaluating what I am doing with my life, and re-living the past thirteen years.
For the first time in my life, I am doing something that I love to do. I have found that telling my story of survival to others, is healing for me and "inspirational" to them. I have been told by many who have heard me speak, that I "lend hope", and give "renewed strength". I am re-defining myself as a public speaker.
Within the context of that, I find myself re-evaluating what I am doing. Am I good enough at speaking to be effective and desirable? Can I earn enough money doing this to support my family? But, regardless of the questioning doubt, I'm practicing what I preach! My three D's have become the hallmark of my life, "Dreams, desire, and determination (the art of never giving up)", as well as my motto. I will continue to evaluate and re-evaluate all that I do, all that I am.
Over the past four or so years I have been writing my memoirs. But after engaging in public speaking, writing speeches about parts of my story, I have come to realize that the reason I haven't been successful in writing my memoirs, is because I have simply started at the wrong place. My life, as I now know it actually began thirteen years ago. The odds were stacked against me, and I was not given a chance to survive. So in essence I did lose my life. But it was replaced with a better, more purposeful, and far more valued life. And as I write, I re-live events...some good, some not. But in total they have made me who I am today.
I like who I am....I just wish I was skinnier!
