Reinventing is a conscious becoming.

It’s a recognition or awareness: “I’m becoming more (of this quality in me) and I choose to express more of it in my life.”

What do I mean by “this quality in me”?

It’s an energy of “being-ness” . Examples: creative, spiritually-aware, active, or adventuresome.

It could be a role, e.g., artist, teacher, healer, writer. But it’s not a role in the traditional sense like a job description, which is an explanation of what you do, the actions you take.

It’s more in the way of an essence, or the spirit behind the role and the actions, perhaps it is the intention. For example, the essential nature or spirit of “teacher” might be guiding, sharing, listening, facilitating, and leading.

Once you get in touch with the being-ness (the aspect of yourself) that is emerging in you, then the next step is to find ways to express it in your life.

So, in the prior example of “teacher”, your reinvention might not be to go out and get a job as a teacher. Alternatively, there are a lot of ways that the essential nature of “teacher” can be expressed. Examples:
• writing books or articles
• leading a workshop or retreat
• volunteering to be a Big Brother or Big Sister
• facilitating an ongoing group with a specific focus or intention

Most people think of life reinvention as starting out to change something in their outer life: a job, a relationship, lifestyle, geography, or a passion or hobby.

These types of changes are in fact the result of reinventing, rather than the starting place.

Reinventing starts with your “insides”. You have the feeling that you aren’t being all that you could be.

Then, you get clear about what that is, and you find ways to express that “being-ness.”

Who are you becoming?

Filed under: Your Map on June 30th, 2008