The emergence of the midlife point can be utterly confusing. Just when we think we know where we are going, someone or something throws a spoke in the wheel and the next thing we know, we are spinning off onto a completely different road. I think this is why so many women and men head back to college, buy a sports car, ditch their spouse or have a nervous breakdown. I’ve chosen college, with the intent of getting my BS in Psychology. I have to admit, the idea is a bit intimidating, but it’s actually a calling that I had always refused to listen to. I shoved my fingers in my ears and sang the Smurf song till it went away. It’s back now and the Smurf song tactic of self avoidance no longer works. lol
My clarity of interest in this vocation came when I began studying the works of Carl Jung, and psychological astrologer, Liz Greene. Being the skeptic that I am, I had to learn to read natal charts in order to see the connections between natal chart planetary placements and the psychological makeup of one’s personality. This to me was so enlightening that I could not escape the grip of what felt like a crazed obsession to investigate and discover as much as I could about this specialized profession. I began pulling charts on family members, friends and pretty much anyone else who would grace me with their birth information. This is what I’ve been doing since January of this year and while the period has been relatively short, I’ve learned enough to know that THIS is where I’m going. . .Back to school to earn my psychology degree and obtain my PAC certification.
My interest in astrology isn’t for the purpose of “fortune telling” or the like. I’m not interested in predicting personal or even worldly mundane events. I’m interested in helping to heal the the psychological wounds that result in human suffering. My career as lampwork bead artist has provided me with a desperately needed transformation of self confidence. This wouldn’t have been possible without so many of you in my corner. Please know that your acceptance and appreciation of my work is now the solid foundation in which I plan to launch the second phase of my life. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
I do intend to continue to make beads for a REALLY long time to come. It will take me at least three years to get my BA and it’s highly doubtful that I will ever abandon my love of glass or the friends that I’ve made through this exciting profession. I would miss you all too much and my soul would suffer the loss. After all, part of the reason that I’m so drawn to this new passion is to help artists who are suffering from severe periods of depression or heavy blocks in creativity, both of which plague the artistic psyche and during those times the emotional pain can be so intense that it’s nearly debilitating. Often through studying the charts of gifted artists, I found that a great deal of heavy suffering took place in the early life of the artist. Their charts reflect watery empathic souls, seemingly almost programmed to expect nothing more than tragedy and suffering. I think that through healing some of the psychological wounds suffered, a transformation of soul and creative clarity can be achieved. I do admit my ideals are high, but I’m willing to throw my coins into the pot to find out for sure.
Okay, so now that I’ve made my quarterly blog post, I suppose I can go enjoy some beautiful and NON HUMID weather, good music, awesome company (Mark) and a glass of cold Pinot G!
Hope you all have a nice holiday!
That’s great that you’re going back to school! I love to learn, and thus have ended up with over 270 hours of college, and only 1 completed degree!
P I envy you, since I wish I could be in school all the time.
If you’re interested in personalities and Jung, you’ve probably looked into MBTI? If not, you might want to read about it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbti I’m an INTJ, but usually come out halfway split between the T and F.
Good on you, Lydia. You’ll do well. You’ve helped me to understand who I am and where I’m going. Enjoy this new journey, to the fullest. Your clients will have a very special shoulder to lean on.
Go knowing you raised the bar in the world of lampwork. You will be missed!
Congratulations! You’ve set yourself a very high mark; however, I’ve no doubt that you’ll reach it. Thank you for not giving up the lovely work you’re currently doing. Your beads are so gentle and lovely that I have a difficult time letting go of them. My daughter is, so far, the only person I felt would really appreciate their beauty.
Thanks ladies, so much for the encouragement. The past year has been a real struggle for me and I won’t pretend otherwise. I’ve felt as though I have been in the center of an eight way intersection with all of these different roads in which I can choose to travel and those roads have been blocked by indecision. So, after a year of intense thinking, I guess I have my direction. At least I think so. Now, if only I can figure out whether I want to go into forensic psychology or clinical psychology. . .lol Either way, I’m definitely headed back to college.
The beads of course will certainly continue to be born no matter what I choose. (Thank you Ruth).
Anna, you are too sweet! I was happy to help. Write me soon and let me know how you’re doing.
Pam, oh yes. I’ve done a bit of personal study of MBTI. I find it very fascinating and really quite accurate. Apparently I am an odd lot of sorts. . .I am an INFJ. Doh! lol
Lydia, I’m so happy for you but I do hope that you continue to make your beautiful beads for you are truly gifted! But I wish you all the best in this new phase of your journey!
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
…Robert Frost
Way to go Lydia! It’s been a while since I check your blog, so I’m just reading about your latest undertaking. I have no doubt you can do it all. Be sure to keep your blog updated so we vcan all share in your new adventure.
Thank you Shirley! Thank you too for posting the beautiful poem. I love Robert Frost.
Nora, no kidding! Here it is November 5th and I’ve not updated or checked this blog in a month. Shame on me!! Hope you and David are doing well!
Hi Lydia,
I just looked at your blog for the first time since I was so enjoying looking at your beads and although I have only been doing metal clay for a while now I may go ahead and get one of your tutorials because I still am amazed by even your early beads! …Aside from that I want to recommend an author I read many years ago and just had the pleasure of going to a book reading to see because she has a new book. Her name is Judith Orloff and she is a psychiatrist who uses her intuitive abilities to help her patients. I thought it really fit right in with your desire to help using some astrology. Her first book “Second Sight” is very interesting in that she explains how hard it was for her to finally just let her colleagues know she was using different ways to help her patients other than medical standards. You may enjoy it.
xo
ann