Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

At one point, I felt utterly lost, as if I were just a hollow shell. Life had stripped me of my identity.

I had resolved that no cost would deter me; I was done escaping or running from my own self. The anguish of losing three family members combined with the devastation of a divorce left me feeling as if life had lost all significance.

I found myself questioning my existence—who was I, and what was my purpose here? What was the true meaning behind it all?

Richard Rohr's book, "The Second Half of Life," resonates deeply with this struggle, stating:

“We do not find our real purpose until we feel a certain sense of a loss of control, and that is what opens us to growth in the second half of life.”

Initially, the rawness of this truth enraged me. I felt betrayed and confused by the painful experiences of my past, including the emotional turmoil I endured at home and school.

The process of revealing the influences that shaped my life was unsettling and often frightening, yet it was also profoundly humbling. These realizations brought feelings of unworthiness and left me yearning to understand my existence. My faith, which had always been robust, felt fragile as I clung to the threads of hope.

Rohr emphasizes in his work:

“Faith is not for overcoming obstacles; it is for experiencing them — all the way through!”

Navigating these 'obstacles' was like battling fierce winds and crashing waves. I longed for the storm to cease, but it persisted, and I committed myself to the healing journey.

As I delved deeper, I felt layers of my former self being stripped away. I was being beckoned to surrender, shedding the parts of me that once served a purpose but no longer did.

My intuition whispered that this hero’s journey aimed to reduce me to my essence, peeling away illusions as one might peel an onion.

The conditioning of my mind, which had formed my beliefs and behaviors over decades, began to disintegrate. Yet, within this turmoil, I experienced moments of profound clarity and universal truths, reminders that I was always loved, inherently lovable, and a manifestation of pure consciousness.

This gentle wisdom felt like morning dew nurturing the delicate aspects of my humanity.

The transition into the sacred second half of my life was more intense than I had anticipated. It was a stunning awakening to the divine spark within me, reflecting the essence of God.

Amid my healing journey, I unearthed profound insights about life, beautifully articulated by Rohr in "Falling Forward." He conveys the unyielding nature of this transformative process and the beauty of becoming more as we embrace new possibilities in this next chapter—the second half of life.

“In the second half of life, you start to understand that life is not only about doing; it is about being. You are not your roles, titles, or achievements — you are something much deeper.”

In this introspective state, I realized my only option was to look inward. The sacred path of awakening goes beyond healing the past; it involves crafting a promising future with a heart-centered, Christ-conscious approach to our evolution.

This journey of self-discovery has been a lesson in self-acceptance, self-love, and the importance of forgiveness to mend past wounds.

As I continue to explore this second phase of life, I am increasingly aware that my personal evolution is key to embracing my true essence and authentic self.

“When you get your ‘Who am I?’ question right, all of your ‘What should I do?’ questions tend to take care of themselves,” states Richard Rohr.

Reflecting on this path has led me to understand that the second half of life is not about loss; it is about rediscovery. It involves letting go of the aspects of ourselves that were never truly ours.

The identities we cling to, the expectations we bear, and the roles we fulfill—these layers are what life gently, or sometimes harshly, urges us to shed.

This process is not easy; it can be daunting. However, through the act of letting go, we find freedom. In the unraveling, we gain clarity.

Once we release the narratives we’ve been told, we can begin to craft our own stories, allowing us to be our true selves without apology.

For those on this journey, I encourage you to permit yourself to surrender to the process and trust that from this breakdown, something beautiful will emerge.

You are not losing yourself; you are becoming who you were always intended to be. Let your true essence shine through the cracks that life creates.

Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. We all traverse this path, and although our experiences may differ, the call to rediscover ourselves is universal.

In the second half of life, we summon the courage to embrace our truth and live authentically. In doing so, we realize that the purpose we sought was within us all along.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Changes

In this enlightening talk, Fr. Richard Rohr explores the concept of the "Second Half of Life," offering insights on personal transformation and spiritual growth.

This video features Rev. Richard Rohr discussing the profound themes of personal evolution, emphasizing the journey of embracing one's true self and the significance of faith through life’s trials.

Before you go

Thank you for engaging with my reflections. I welcome your likes, shares, comments, or any thoughts that resonate with you. Your feedback means a lot to me. With love, Shelley