When people around you do not support your personal growth and reinvention, it doesn’t mean you are on the wrong path or that you have to listen to them. Just because someone continues to judge you from where you were doesn’t mean you have to stay there.

(The subjects of What Should I Do With The Rest Of My Life) "have convinced me that past failing can as easily prove preparatory as predictive. Age does not of itself limit on enable us. The choice is ours.

This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.

Reinvention is no rushed religion.

After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then reimagine the world.

Maybe part of find what you wanted was recognizing what you didn't want. Maybe there was hope for me yet.

Adversity is neither friend nor foe. It is a common acquaintance that is desired less and rewarded most when embraced.

I notice being noticed immediately – I’m a freeway goddess! In the past five minutes of gridlock, I have been checked out by a bald man in convertible Mustang, a cowboy in an F-150, and a body-builder in a Lincoln Navigator. Watch out road warriors! I don’t want to be responsible for any accidents. If only I had a car decal that advertised: Available – if you meet my eligibility criteria!

Each phase of the transformation process has distinct milestones, is progressive, and is not revisited.

After a few more minutes of daydreaming about how fabulous I could become, I look down at the heading on my paper: Janey's Reinvention Plan. It appears lonely at the top of the page. I should probably add some bullets beneath, but I've never been much of a list maker.

I'm overweight, despise change, and rarely, if ever, initiate anything. Unlike my friends, I’ve had no drama in my life which might qualify as box office material. If a little more drama came my way, however, I would probably need to purchase some courage in order to withstand it. Oh well, if a bit of change equals a bit of drama, I’m willing to risk it.

Professional is an apt definition for me, professional slouch, that is. I can be very professional at seeming to do work, but the real work is trying to do as little as possible, without getting caught by Trip or any nosey busybodies.

Whether your transformation happens through trauma, surprise, or intention, the process begins because of a growing need for change.

Because nobody knows you better than somebody who knew you way back then.

When my cell phone rang, I'd just finished cutting up my marriage mattress.

I don't know when the boysbegan to walk away with parts of myselfin their sticky hands; when lovingbecame a process of subtraction. Or why,having given up what seems so much,I'm willing to lose even more — erasingall this body's known, relearning it with you.

I'd spent so many years doing things I didn't really want to do for people I didn't really like.

The journey of reinvention is one of raw emotionsEmerging from dormancySurprising as a paper cutOverwhelming as a hailstormOne part vulnerabilityOne part rageOne part surrenderUncomfortableUnfamiliarUnsureFearfulAloneDamagedBrokenAnd finding a new SelfSlowlyDifferentHealingHumblePresentOpenLongingFree

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, build on to that which is already excellent.