The Unseen Growth: A Decade's Pause and the Resurgence of Purpose

Life, a relentless current, often pulls us along paths we never consciously chose, dictated by necessity, ambition, or the sheer momentum of daily living. Yet, there are moments, profound and often unsettling, when the current falters, or we, by an act of will or exhaustion, choose to step out of its flow. A hiatus, a deliberate pause, can be an act of profound self-preservation, a necessary recalibration. But what happens when that pause extends, not for a season, but for a decade? To step away for ten years, only to return to the very arena one left behind, is to embark on a journey not just of rediscovery, but of re-creation – a testament to enduring passion, evolved perspective, and the undeniable echo of an unfinished symphony.

The initial departure, whether forced or chosen, is often fraught with a complex tapestry of emotions. There might be relief, a liberation from the pressures that fueled the need for a break. There could be guilt, a sense of abandoning responsibilities or aspirations. For some, it is a period of profound re-evaluation, where the priorities that once seemed immutable shift and dissolve, making way for new understandings of self and purpose. The intervening ten years are not a void; they are a landscape of different experiences. Perhaps it’s a period dedicated to family, nurturing children through their formative years.

Or it could be a deep dive into personal healing, grappling with illness or loss. For others, it might be an exploration of entirely new fields, an unexpected career pivot that broadened horizons and cultivated new skills. These years, seemingly separate from the initial pursuit, are in fact diligently weaving a richer tapestry of life, adding layers of wisdom, empathy, and resilience.

For me, it's my peace.