7/4/26—Ushering In A New Genesis

Ever since I adopted my girl, Genesis, a month in a half ago, a fire has ignited within me. It was kindling before that, but she was the spark. 

It actually doesn’t have to do with her directly. But my choice to adopt her was a statement to me that, after the long illness that repeatedly tried to kill me (and sometimes, back then, I wished it would), I was ready to begin again. 

It was a milestone. For the first time in well over a decade, I felt like I had a future. I was ready to live. To have enough years left in me to raise a goofy girl dog. To “become” again…to experience a genesis.

All my dogs have had these kinds of names. I named Smudge for the freckles on his head…and for the sage you burn to purify and remove negative energy. He came at a time when my intent was to clear the energies I’d been slogging through for over a decade with my illness…to prepare for an eventual new genesis.  

Genesis’ other meaning is as simple as I’m obsessed with the band Genesis, the Phil Collins era. One of her nicknames is “Mama”, the name of my favorite song. And I’m slowly training her to respond to Phil’s demonic laugh. Hahaha

Since she joined our family, I have made headway on a book. The working title is The Uncertain Warrior. It’s about handling uncertainty, like the uncertainty the US has been facing for a while now. I’m using my life to illustrate the book, as I have weathered many extreme periods of uncertainty in my life, including the aforementioned 15-year illness. 

We experience uncertainty as feeling unsettled, fearful, anxious, indecisive or lacking confidence. And those things have a tendency to coil us in their tentacles where we might make limiting decisions, miss opportunities or become stagnant. 

But, statistically speaking, uncertainty is equally possible of creating a doorway to positive change. Practically speaking, it’s ALWAYS a doorway to change. And the trajectory of that change is colored by whether you look at this time of discomfort and unease as an opportunity or as a threat. 

I’m 63. And it seems like I’m surrounded by a community of women who are considering their next phase in life. Some are looking forward to retirement. And some are seeking a second mission or career. I have neighbors who are reinventing themselves. And I have friends in the midst of doing the same. I feel their stories are a sign for me. 

I also wrote a restaurant review that went viral in a local dining group. And another. And another. Which I feel is the universe—and the algorithm—saying “keep writing, Tierney. We’ve got your back!”

I’ve been taking inspirational and educational courses to keep me inspired. So I’ve been doing my part to set myself up for success. And I’ve been doing two things I think are key to manifesting change:

•  I’m taking a first step, regardless of whether it’s the right step or if I’m ready. I heard a great piece of wisdom not that long ago. “Ready” isn’t a feeling you wait to feel. It’s a choice. I’m choosing to start moving forward. To be ready. That creates the tiniest bit of momentum for the universe to get behind.

 

    •  I’m staying open. A door opened with the restaurant reviews and I walked through it. I have no ambition to write restaurant reviews. But I am enjoying it and it is giving me confidence and positive feedback that is helping to create even more momentum. Those who have known me for a while know I have a million book ideas, all abandoned for now. But I’m following this one because I’m compelled to write it at this time. Who knows where it will lead? What I know from life experience is that if you follow the breadcrumbs, the universe will lead you to a bigger dream than you can have dreamed for yourself. So I’m following breadcrumbs. 

I have also adopted a mantra for uncertain times: “The story isn't over yet”. Are things miserable? Do you feel stuck? Have you hit a plateau? Is the world coming to an end? Well, the story isn’t over yet. And you can use this time of uncertainty to worry yourself sick because you have little control over a situation and don’t know how it will turn out. Or you can remind yourself that the story isn’t over yet and move your headspace on to more creative efforts. The energy you create around your effort is everything. 

You can’t avoid uncertainty. It is a fact of life. And whether you’re uncertain about the world, a health issue or the next phase of your life, you can choose to see that challenge as a portal, a becoming, an opportunity…a new Genesis (but one without fur.) 

So many of my friends are at a crossroads right now. Just choose a direction. It doesn’t even have to lead directly to your final destination. Just take a step trust the possibilities that appear. 

P.S. This isn't a promise of future blogs. I used to be quite prolific and regular. I'm not moved to go back to that. But this is a lesson I wanted to share, and maybe as my book progresses I'll share more.