The Essence of Becoming.

In Sweden, there is a word to reflect transformation and it is bliva.  

It means "to become."

I chose the name Bliva for this blog because the spirit of "becoming" musters my feelings about life at middle age. I recently turned 50, and like many others who reach this milestone, I am staring down a wide and open avenue that runs straight through the next chapter in life. 

And it's exciting.

Bliva means "to become."

I've had a satisfying career writing primarily children's literature. I am grateful. I have no plans to stop writing for children, I love writing for children, but I've always enjoyed writing for adult readers, too. In a sense, I wanted my career path to travel in that direction earlier on, but once a person becomes known for one thing, it's not always easy to change lanes or other people's perceptions and harder yet, our own self-perception.  

But now, this is my chance to go for it. It's time to leap bravely into new things, new beginnings.

I have many peers and friends who are in this same stage of midlife, evaluating what brings them joy, casting aside what doesn't.  

Quite frankly, most of us do not feel like we over the hill, but rather, like we are standing right on top of it.

As I move forward with new projects - ones I've waited years to do - I'm going to go about things more freely than in years before, I'm going to have more fun, and I'm going to challenge myself with new goals personally and professionally. 

When I turned 50, I had no idea the entrance into middle age would be so liberating, motivating, and exciting. Truly, if not in younger years, then now is the time "to become."

What new avenue are you encountering? What new chances, new beginnings are you contemplating? What do you want to become? Let me know. I'd love to hear from you. 

And welcome to the blog, it's called Bliva.