The day I walked away from my professional career of more than twenty years in state government I still had business cards for a position that was no longer mine.  Who was Gloria beyond the career?

I was also the mother of 3 adult sons. By this time, I had passed through the many stages of empty nest syndrome.  Truth be told, I dulled the feelings of not being needed by children at home with full focus on my career.  Who was Gloria beyond motherhood?

Wait, there is more! I was also a three-time divorcée.  Depending on the group of people with knowledge of a particular ex-husband I was ex-wife to TK, HP, or OO.  I can still remember my dismay when I was introduced shortly after my first divorce as “TK’s ex-wife Gloria.” Who was Gloria beyond a committed relationship?

At points during my experiences of motherhood and divorces, I went through the transition of becoming an orphan following the deaths of my grandparents, and both parents.  Then grief and loneliness entered my life and again I found solace in burying myself in work. Who was Gloria beyond carrying a stiff upper lip?

You may have experienced one or more of the major life-transitions like those I have chronicled.  Of course, you can wrap yourself in the comfort of knowing that you are not alone, but notice that as I went through each transition, I had work to fall back on.  On the final day that I walked away from my place of employment I realized that I had no fallback for my “go to” fallback.  I had to find a way to release the real Gloria that I stifled for years.  Along the way I’ve found happiness and purpose.  With a little help, you can too!