Wednesday, July 13
It’s been six years since July 13 fell on a Wednesday. I know this because at about 6pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, I experienced a life-changing event.
Driving home from my corporate job, doing about 50 mph or so in my Toyota 4-Runner, I was hit hard on the right rear, pushing me up and onto the center divider and into a crazy, violent, torqued flip and turn, and flip and turn, ending up facing the way I’d come, upside down.
Good people rushed to help and pulled me clear. Thanks to my seat belt I was amazingly unhurt: no broken bones, no loss of consciousness, plenty of bruises and a nasty gash down to the bone on my left forearm, but bottom line – I survived. In the weeks and months that followed I got super, super clear that the time to change my life was now and not tomorrow.
I’d been unsettled for a long time, but as a single mom with a hefty mortgage, had yet to find the way and was not about to just quit the paycheck and take my chances. But after the accident, my focus sharpened and I did find my way out.
I’m not saying you have to go through what I did to get the clarity to move now instead of later; what I am saying is that if you’re unhappy now and don’t change something, you’ll be unhappy tomorrow and six years from now.
So take steps – little ones are fine, but take action, read, watch, listen, talk to other people, find out… your new life and new-found happiness is out there waiting and there are good people out there to pull you clear too.
P.S. I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month – 31 days of July, a blog a day if I can. 
It’s strange how life throws us curve balls sometimes to, wake up. I quit work recently because of health issues. The health issues made me realize that life is short and we really don’t have that much time on earth to follow our dreams and passions.
Exactly Danny, good luck to you in the pursuit of happiness!
Gillian – Thank you for sharing your experience. Life has different ways of getting the message to us. For me it was a string of no-win relationships, until one day I said ‘Enough’. I’m glad you were safe and then inspired!
Hi Corinne – thanks. I still have figured out the no-win relationship thing, but haven’t given up hope yet 😀
I survived. In the weeks and months that followed I got super, super clear that the time to change my life was now and not tomorrow.
Wow, I am so sorry you had to have an accident and was not your fault. I was a single mom for 11 years alone doing it with 3 jobs. We survived it, she is 17 I am 44. What a miracle. I feel for you. Why does it take something like an accident to help us realize our purpose or plan i often ask myself. I am still not clear what to do – at age 44. Bless you on your blog and journey ahead, know I care and will be here for you as a real friend. Jackie Paulson
Glad you’re still with us! And, kudos to you for seeing the healing opportunity that your accident brought you. Sometimes, those life/death situations sure do bring clarity. Thanks for sharing. It was a great reminder.
Thanks Lisa, it seems a bit of a cliche, but it worked for me!
Wow! What a powerful story. So glad you are fine! What a great challenge for us all to make sure we are not drifting through life but living it intentionally. Thanks.
Thanks for the comment Kate.
I’m glad you’re fine and that you got the clarity, so you didn’t have to have another event to provide you some insight. I had 2 rear end collisions within 2 weeks over a year ago. I got my clarity also.
Funny thing too Nancy, I had a tiny fender bender the December before and after that updated my insurance with collision, etc. I believe somebody was definitely watching out for me!
Very wise words and a very important message. Thanks for sharing your story. You said it so perfectly when you wrote, “If you’re unhappy now and don’t change something, you’ll be unhappy tomorrow and six years from now.”
Thanks Leanne. My life is by no means perfect, but the changes I’ve made have brought me tons of happiness.
What a great post, GIllian — and a great point. It does seem that too many of us need that a-ha moment to jar us to action. SO glad you weren’t hurt in that accident and that you’re experiencing your moment now. Yeah!
Cindy
Thanks Cindy, I feel very fortunate indeed.