Forty Year Old Mid Life Crisis? Where's Carol Burnett?

What is it about forty that feels like an end? End of youth? End of dreams? End of the good times? I am telling you the Mrs has been down in the dumps. It could be all the lack of shopping now that I am on a BUDGET. No, I think it's more...

I need Carol Burnett.

Everyone has a famous person they look up to or admire for one reason or another. For me it's Carol Burnett. As a child I was in awe of her. I watched the Carol Burnett Show religiously. I had never seen a woman be the star of her own show, be funny, and so gracious to her fans.

I loved the question and answer part of the show with her audience. Do you remember the young teenage boy who wanted his first kiss? The woman who sand "you made me love you" with her? She treated everyone, her fans, friends, and fellow actors with respect and love. One class act. It's inspiring.

Carol also holds a special place in my heart because she made me laugh at a time in my life I needed it the most.

Which brings me to my next challenge. If there's someone you admire, famous or not, find them and meet them. Ask them the questions you've always wanted to ask.

Carol Burnett is mine. I googled for her contact information. I am writing her a letter and found out she is coming to a theater near me to do a lecture. Got tickets! I'm going to meet her, tell her I adore her, and probably bawl. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

So who's your idol? Who do you need to meet and see so you can be inspired!

Forty Things to do #1- Give A Performance

Turning forty seemed a little bit like a day of reckoning for me. I was feeling like I had not accomplished things I had set out to do, and was not exactly where I wanted to be financially, career wise, and personally. It was my mother in law who put it in perspective. She said turning forty is not the end of things. This is the time to set new goals and accomplish even more!

Wow! I had never thought about it like that before! She was right! I have twenty or thirty more years really good years to accomplish my goals and dreams. I needed to just get to it! So I started a list. Forty things to do before forty. Forty things to shake me up, challenge me, help me grow.

Okay people! For your first challenge, or should I say assignment? You are to give a performance.

Always wanted to try stand up? Want to try acting in a play? Love to Kareoke? Play an instrument? Now that you have a good group of friends in your life, set up a little performance and invite everyone!

I did this by performing in a show called "Expressing Motherhood". It was a show of real mom's telling real stories. I performed for two weekends and invited all my friends and family. I was an actress many years ago, but I was nervous about this. It was me not "acting" but telling about Landon, and I hadn't been on stage in years.

I literally forced myself to write a piece and submit it, thinking there was no way I would be chosen. Then I was!

At the first rehearsal I was terrified. I didn't know these women! Why was I doing this again?

Then I heard the stories of their lives, and was blown away by these women. Now I have a bunch of new friends. It was so powerful being a part of it. It helped me open up, put myself out there, and share. I am so proud I did it. There's something about stepping out of your comfort zone, you surprise everyone, and you surprise yourself. Who knows what we're capable of when we really GO FOR IT!

So what will you do? I am dying to hear about your performance!!