Flight of the Hummingbird Introduction:
Hi I’m Susan Shepherd. Thanks for stopping by to join in on the conversations I am having with women on a variety of life-changing and soul searching topics.
For over 30 years I held senior management positions with Fortune 500 companies. I had a financially rewarding but stressful life as I fed my ego with responsible and sometimes prestigious corporate jobs – all while trying to be a mother and raise two active boys primarily on my own. After two failed marriages, in 2000 I finally met the love of my life! We were opposites but shared the same values and aspirations. Jeff happily took on the role of father to my two boys and grandfather to our newborn grandson Charlie. We had a lot of fun together and made new and exciting plans for how we were going to spend our retirement years. However, all of that came to an abrupt end on Friday, January 3, 2014 when at the age of 56 I returned home from a long week at work to find my husband dead of a heart attack.
They say challenges bring about conscious awakening. I was no exception. Nine months after my husband passed away, work circumstances allowed me to leave my corporate job. Parking my ego, I decided I no longer wanted to reach for the corner office, but to pursue something that would bring passion to my mind, body and soul. Thanks to my best friend of 40 years, I did a complete 180 by registering and completing the 200 hour Registered Yoga Teaching certificate program.
I chose ‘Hummingbird’ as my yoga business’s name for a couple of reasons. One, my husband and I always marveled about them on our walks and wondered if one lone bird we used to see wasn’t his dad Duncan watching over us. Coincidentally, after Jeff passed away and I was walking our usual route, there were two Hummingbirds sitting in the spot where previously there had only been one. Secondly, the Hummingbird itself is a fascinating bird that shows great resiliency as it tirelessly travels great distances. The Hummingbird symbolizes adaptability, independence and playfulness – a reminder to take time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
My journey of personal awakening and self discovery has just started. Along this journey that will never end, I am meeting many interesting people that are travelling the same road. Each week I intend to write about the conversations I have with the people I meet. I will share with you the insights I receive from them on topics such as personal relationships, career, roles and responsibilities, life transitions, etc.
I hope that you will come along on the ride, share your own stories and invite others to join us as we chat about ‘our life purpose’.
“Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
– Rumi
Namaste,
Susan