Sep 27 2008
Why me?
Why me? Why do I feel I’m qualified to encourage people to start over? Because I’m a bootstrapper. I’ve started over so many times that I’m probably the most startingest-over person you’ll ever know. At least, I hope I am.
Ideally, no one should ever have to start over. In a perfect world, we’re born, cherished, well educated, make all the right choices and end up so happy that we never would consider changing (sounds like Lake Wobegon!)
Okay, so I don’t know about you, but I certainly didn’t grow up in a perfect world. Here’s a nutshell accounting of the times I’ve started over:
- At the age of 17, when my dad kicked me out of the house (literally). Was homeless for a while before finally enlisting the help of friends.
- At the age of 20, when my mom died
- 1982, when my husband went back to school (we sold everything and moved from Southern California to Northern California…needed a passport for that one)
- 1987, when we immigrated to Israel NOT via the usual channels (that meant the usual support systems were unavailable to me)
- December 1994, when I dropped everything but my two sons and left my abusive husband (the same one I had put through school)
- February 1995, when I found out I had cancer (believe it or not, there are a lot of gifts in that one. No, really! I’m not being sarcastic! Seriously!)
- 1999, delayed rebound marriage to an ARCF.
- 2000, not-delayed rebound divorce. Began training for a new career (technical writing–really enjoyed it! No, seriously!)
- June 2001, third marriage, new home, new place. Kids are really pissed at me!
- 2005, after the death of my husband from brain cancer. This, by far, was the best and most bizarre restart ever!
I’ve left out a few lesser-starts out so that you won’t get bored. The point is that I’m one of those people who never gives up, and I want to help you to restart your lives too. How? By having you join me in my most amazing journey as I study at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and fulfill my life purpose. As you read my blog, you’ll very quickly see that I’m no different from you. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and done some really great things. I hope that by reading about these things, good and bad, you’ll be able to avoid the mistakes I’ve made, and that you’ll be inspired to make the changes in your life that you would really like to make.
AND, in addition to revealing my story to you, I’ll be providing information and resources along the way that can enable you to boost yourself to heights you have never dared to imagine.
Enjoy, and please feel free to comment. I’d love to hear about you. And if you’re someone who’s starting over, know that you have within you everything you need to succeed–big time.
Be kind to yourself! 
Joanna
YES, you are qualified to blog about starting over!!! Yes you are a very encouraging person and I think you’ll do a great job!! Music school - TOTALLY AWESOME!!! You have always had such talent! Go for it!!!
Love,
Cathy
Thank you! That means so much to me coming from you! I hope you’ll check back from time to time, and tell others who may benefit about the blog.
I’m seeing a whole new side of you here,
you are full of surprises,
I had no idea!
wow! some of your writing here is really hard to digest all at once.
but now I think I understand a little better about who you are and where you are coming from.
What is an ARCF?
Hi Sam,
I’m glad you asked. It’s an A*al Retentive Control Freak.
I just found your blog today (March 22, 2010). I found it because I was Googling about “starting over.” I am “way too old” to think about trying to learn to play a musical instrument, just so I could have the pleasure of playing in some amateur group, like our community concert band (which is pretty good!). Imagine taking up the clarinet or something at age 58! But I am thinking about doing it, even though I don’t think I have a huge amount of musical talent, because just playing in the community concert band would be a HUGE THRILL for me. I could attend my local junior college and study theory for very little money. So, I am thinking I should do it!!! My husband would support me in doing this.
I am so happy to learn that you are going to Berklee. You have quite an adventure in front of you. I will send your links to some people I know who might have more dollars than I have.
I send you my best wishes for success in everything you’re planning to do!
Chris,
Thank you so much!
I really encourage you to at least try taking some lessons on whatever instrument you feel drawn to. The theory stuff can wait–I really recommend getting your hands on an instrument and seeing whether you like it first. After a few months, you’ll know whether it’s really for you or not. If it is, then you can take some theory classes. I also really recommend some music history classes too as they involve lots of listening to different types of music. They’re so enriching! You can probably find the history of jazz or the history of western music at a local college.
And no, 58 is NOT too old to start something like this, especially if you have the support of your family! I started piano at the age of 51, and now I’m playing! I’m not very advanced, but it’s definitely helpful with songwriting and I’m DEFINITELY loving it!
I hope you’ll go for it. If you do, please let me know how it goes.
Joanna
Hello, Joanna!
Well, I didn’t exactly find you, you found me! Oh, I’m not really sure how it happened. I paid MLMarketing to submit my blog to blog carnivals. I’d never even heard of blog carnivals…
Anyway… who says reincarnation is not true? You’ve already lived several lives and you’re just now starting school! hahaha
I’m sure it will be a great experience. Many really excellent musicians, songwriters, etc. have come from there, but I don’t have to tell you that!
Existential Poet aka Robert
Hello Robert!
Well, I’m glad you paid them. I really like your poetry.
And thank you for your kind words. I can’t wait to go to Berklee–it’s a life-dream come true. This life that is…
Joanna