Breaking Out of Amber

Many thanks to my friend Karen for reading my blog and asking why I chose the title "Breaking Out of Amber". Thought I'd spend a few minutes answering that question.

First, a quick commercial: if you are looking for a terrific insurance agent who is responsive and always looking out for clients, take a moment and check out Helfrich Insurance. They're located in Washington State and they have represented me, my home, my various interests and businesses over the course of the last 17 years! I wouldn't go anywhere else. :o)

 

Ant Fossilized in Amber

 When I started thinking about my blog name, I was thinking of the idea of how joining the Peace Corps was in essence a breaking out of the rigid confines of societal expectations. It's funny how we can so often take on the mantle of what we are expected to be based on our gender, age, or the boxes that others use to define us. We've all heard the self doubts and the self-imposed limitations: "Do I have the right job? Am I making enough money? I have to keep doing this because I have to pay the mortgage, because I'm good at it, or because I can't throw away all that I've done to reach this point in my career." I had these doubts as well.

In fact, on a phone conversation with Mom a couple months ago, being concerned that I was breaking off more than I could chew, she cautioned that I needed to remember my age. "You are middle-aged, you know. You're not a young man."

I've always hated boxes; to me they're equal to doors being closed. While I understand that doors will close as I progress through this life, I want them to be of my choosing and understanding.

What a perfect metaphor amber is: sticky resin from trees that draws insects to its sweet promise then traps them and surrounds them. Fast forward several millenia and you have a stone, many of which have an insect inside. In my vision, the insect wakens all those years later and finds a way to drill out of the confines of its limitations to live a different life.

I am breaking out of the boxes of my self doubt, comfort, self-imposed and societal limitations. I'm drilling my way out of the life "I'm supposed to live," and into an adventure. Going to spread my stiff wings and fly. Kind of exciting! :o)

Thanks for reading.