As I sit here at my computer trying to come up with a subject or theme for what once was a weekly thing for me, the words that kept coming to mind were reemergence, resurgence, comeback, rebirth. Those types of words that signify new starts and beginnings.

The terms “reemergence” and “resurgence” bring to mind other things reemerging or surging and, for the love of all that is holy, we want nothing resurfacing in the sense of a microbe-anything.
Comebacks are for those people or things that once were deemed worthy or successful by whoever deems a person or thing worthy or successful. Or, a comeback could be a smart-ass reply or rebuttal to someone who says something to you. I’m a crackerjack comebacker of smart-ass comeback/comments, but I’d like to believe I don’t intentionally hurt anyone. Still, we have enough angry comebacks out there floating around. So, for the purpose of not adding to that, I chucked that word, too.
Rebirth signals: That what was once declining flourishes once again. In a sense, all of these words and their meanings can be interchanged.
I have come to the point in my life where I realize I can’t get any better. I’m pretty great exactly the way I am. And so are you. That’s not to say, we can’t improve certain aspects of ourselves. As humans, we do that, evolve as we mature, using our past experiences to hopefully make us more compassionate, kind and open to listening to others we may not agree with. The healthy exchange of ideas and opinions is the cornerstone of our society. We are different in our beliefs, but our humanness is equal.
I think the core of who we are stays constant. We come into the world with it and we leave this world with it. Our perfect/imperfect souls and “self” are what we offer the world. I can remember my younger self. I can see her in my mind’s eye sometimes. That mini-me feels the same about my core beliefs as the grown-up “mature” me.
You can’t reinvent the wheel, or can you?
In a 2014 Harvard Business Review article by Marc Freeman (can you believe 2014 was eight years ago??), Freeman wrote that the “reinvention mythology” was dangerous. It likened the concept to one never being satisfied with one’s self. A never-ending cycle of trying to put away the past and claim youth.
Respectfully, I disagree. I have, what I believe for myself, taken on the task of reinvention many times throughout the decades I’ve spent on this good, green Earth. Doing so certainly didn’t give me the ability to disregard or let go of painful experiences. On the contrary, it motivated me to let go of destructive patterns that hindered my growth—personally, professionally and spiritually.
Reinvention isn’t about forgetting. It is about remembering and knowing that what you have can serve you throughout your life—that core something of yourself—that makes you unique, your own magnificent mettle that can change something or someone. Whether that be one person or millions, a ripple can turn into a tidal wave of wonderful.
The quote, “you can’t reinvent the wheel,” is believed to come from the early 1970s. From the business culture, the phrase was introduced. I imagine a group of business people stood around talking at the water cooler. How can we make this widget better? How can we talk about this product differently? Now, that group looks down and Googles how to do this or that better. No talkies necessary.
The phrase means why reinvent something that’s already working? That does apply to some inanimate things, I think. Such as why do I need a refrigerator that talks to me? That’s another topic.
And I’m rambling because I’m rusty at this since it’s been awhile since I’ve written for the simple pleasure of writing. I plan to do more of that in my reinvention period.
The conclusion
I’m not sure what’s ahead for this new reinvented me, but I’m working on it. It’s never really failed me. I live. I learn. I let go of things that no longer serve me. I embrace what does. I practice gratitude. I love my husband, my dog, my family. I love my life, even on bad days, I stop, think and I love it. I’ve taken up yoga. The me a few years ago would not have even considered yoga.
I take deep breaths and practice kindness, even when others haven’t been kind to me. Who knows what’s going on in someone’s life these days? I think that’s what we’re supposed to do. I take care of my physical, mental and spiritual selves—this is key, I think, for all of us.
What I’ve concluded is that there is no frenzied “goal” I must meet. There is just living as good as a life I can live. Hopefully, that ripples out and lands where it should. I’m going to try to keep that objective front and center.
What is going on in our world now—kind, good thoughts and/or prayers are crucial. I believe they always have been.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu.
How’re things with you?
Glad you are back…sometimes you forget what you miss until you are reminded… ??
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Hey Lou! I wondered if anyone was “out there.” It’s been awhile. I hope you and yours are wonderful and so nice to see you here. 🙂
Judging from how long ago your last post was, I’m going to welcome you back to the blogosphere. Here’s to your reemergence, and wishing you a great time back. All the best with your journey, Brigitte 🙂
Well hello and welcome, Stuart. Yep, it’s been a long while, but I never really gave up on my blog despite those long absences. Thank you for the welcome and for the comment. Be well!
Brigitte, I legit gasped when I saw your post in my inbox. I can’t recall the last time we even interacted, but this brings me back to the “simple” blogging days and fond memories of our comment conversations. Your theme of reinvention is quite spot on for me personally and I’m in the midst of doing this myself. Glad to hear you’re well, it is so nice to read your writing again. 🙂
Lillian!! Hello and I miss your writing and your insightful musings too. I hope we can all get back to those simpler blogging times. I miss that community we had.
It is so nice to hear from you. I hope you and your family are wonderful. Here’s to reinvention, sister friend. 💕
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Good to see you back, your posts are bloody great
Hi Joanne — so nice to see you here! And, thank you for the kind words.
Hi, Brigitte! WelCOMEBACK! (I couldn’t resist!)
Nice to ‘see’ you back in the hood. I’ve been thinking of coming back more regularly as well. I miss the earlier years of blogging. (Can’t believe it’s been 11 years and several different blog subject-matter experiments since I started!!) I miss the creative playground and, frankly, the satisfaction and even useful purpose of releasing thoughts and reflections out into the universe. Some (who claim to know such things 😉) say blogging is dead—a thing of the past—but what do ‘they’ know. The more WE learn, the less we ALL ‘know’—that is, if we’re going about it with an intention to actually grow. With that in mind, I’m giving less credence to the know-it-all’s. Knowing nothing feels far better to me than having the delusion (and eventual embarrassment when am found out by others… or even by my self) that I could ever know it all. 😊
Sue!!!!!
So nice to see you and hear from you. I don’t think blogging is dead, and who are “they” anyway? Like you, I miss the “creative playground,” what a lovely way of putting it. I am trying to stay in the habit of doing it. I love the exchange of ideas, our banter of being able to agree and disagree, respectfully. The trade of opinions, again, done respectfully. I say we start new trend. Bring the old back in vogue. Or, who really care if it’s vogue or not. Let’s just bring it back. I hope that you and yours are wonderful and thank you for taking the time to comment, my friend.
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