As my name was evolving, so were my skills and knowledge. While the education I was receiving was "unconventional" nevertheless, I was growing and expanding....and not just physically!
As I was trying to take ownership for myself, of who I was becoming, I was trying desperately to find a "title" that identified who I was now. Previously, mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, friend, Christian, ministry worker, volunteer, care giver...the list was truly endless. But who am I now? I knew it had to do with Transition, I AM a Master at that!
Master in Transition! Several people didn't like that I was calling myself Master. Master over slaves came to my mind, or Jesus as Master, Guru types are associated with the word Master and so I began doing some soul searching and researching and realized that "master" is used in a myriad of ways. Master Swimmers, simply means the most skilled swimmers. The Masters in Golf....the same thing. I looked up the definition of master:
A worker qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on a trade independently.
A person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science.
I was driving to Chicago, through Kansas when I noticed in the cornfields, as far as I could see, all the corn was the same height...except sprinkled here and there were stalks that stood much taller than the rest and a few that stood around them were still taller than the majority, but not as tall as the tallest.
It instantly came to me that, there are leaders everywhere and I remembered a saying "Leaders are like eagles, they don't flock ~ you find them one at a time!
I began to think, Pati, you have spent as much money and time (not to mention the pain and tears) as it would have taken to get a Masters Degree at a traditional University.....You actually have a Masters Degree in Transition from the University of Life! Guess what the next sign on the road read...Home of the University of Kansas City.
That's how I live now. Paying attention to the support all around me, seeing the Divine in everything. It may be something different for someone else, but for me, it was confirmation, I am to lead and I do have a Masters Degree in Transition from the University of Life!
I call myself a Master in Transition as I believe that Transition begins with the moment we are born into this world, until the moment we leave this world, and every moment in between.
I have birthed 4 children of my own, as well as coaching several others, transitioning “in” (natural childbirth coach) and coached several others, transitioning “out.” (dying)
Every moment in between – Well, that’s just life!
I'll leave you with this thought:
Mentor ~ Someone who's hindsight can become your foresight!
Saturday, April 25
Tuesday, April 7
Why Master of Transition?
As I have been evolving, it has come to my attention more than once..."Why Master?"
The first time, someone said to me, "I really don't like that you call yourself Master." I took this into consideration and began reflecting on why was I calling myself Master of Transition.
As I have been moving forward in my life, the hardest part has been to see myself bigger...no, I can see my physical self getting bigger....I mean the soul self, the essence of who I am. It is most difficult to evolve and see myself different, growing. When I remain in the same circle of friends who have always known or seen me as one way, it's that much more difficult!
Several years back, a friend suggested I begin to spell my name, Patty with an "i" as this second half of life was about me! Whoa baby, the skids marks from the brakes being slammed on where deep!
"I've always been Patty...for 50 years I've been Patty how could I not be me?"
As time passed and the shock began to wear off, I asked one of my daughters, "Oh you can't" she replied, "You've always been Patty." Well that was enough for me! Patti with an "i" is it! But do you think I could take ownership of it? No! I got a new job, they asked how I spelled my name, I said, "It doesn't matter, either way." It truly took a year to make the conversion.
Next, several years after my divorce, I decided I was done being a Hobbs.
I decided to go back to my maiden name, not angry, just finished. I called my ex-husband and thanked him for sharing his last name with me for the past 30 years, but that I was going to take my maiden name back. So I went to the courthouse, filled out the paper work for "Miller" and waited patiently for the permission to "be me!"
The permission paper came and I couldn't change my name on anything. I finally went to the DMV, who sent me to the Social Security office who sent me to the DMV....anyway, you get the picture and when they asked me to sign my name...I didn't know how. I was a Hobbs longer than I was a Miller. It just didn't feel right.
I had been toying with the idea to drop my last name completely and become Patricia Hope, Hope being my middle name. A name I could never stand as a child. The joke was, "Hope there was no more kids!"
One day in the middle of my "dark night of the soul," which is what I call the past 6 years of my life, I realized in my yard, thru my tears, looking at a truly neglected rose in the garden, even it was blooming, that "Hope" is all there is! I found it fascinating that someone knew I would need "HOPE" at some point in my life and there it was!
In my work I wanted everything to be light and fun, and so I began playing with Pati yes, one "t." Different enough, light and fun feeling.
I now live by signs....I read in the newspaper someone who had dropped her last name and was going by her first and middle....good enough confirmation for me! And then I went to a new bank and the teller's name was posted, Pati! OKey Dokey! Pati Hope is re born!
Now, you don't think I could become Pati Hope without a panty twist do you! It took along time and alot of talking to myself and seeing myself different. Recently I went to a friend as I was having a bad day....I sat on her couch and began crying...giving her a litany of all the things that weren't going right in my life. I finally burst out, "I don't even know what my fucking name is!" Who am I? We both burst out laughing as we knew the journey.
Now, I know....I've evolved, I'm Pati Hope! Hope is all there is!
Christopher Reeves - Once you choose hope, anything is possible!!
Next, We'll continue the saga.....Master of Transition????? (When I return from my next trip)
The first time, someone said to me, "I really don't like that you call yourself Master." I took this into consideration and began reflecting on why was I calling myself Master of Transition.
As I have been moving forward in my life, the hardest part has been to see myself bigger...no, I can see my physical self getting bigger....I mean the soul self, the essence of who I am. It is most difficult to evolve and see myself different, growing. When I remain in the same circle of friends who have always known or seen me as one way, it's that much more difficult!
Several years back, a friend suggested I begin to spell my name, Patty with an "i" as this second half of life was about me! Whoa baby, the skids marks from the brakes being slammed on where deep!
"I've always been Patty...for 50 years I've been Patty how could I not be me?"
As time passed and the shock began to wear off, I asked one of my daughters, "Oh you can't" she replied, "You've always been Patty." Well that was enough for me! Patti with an "i" is it! But do you think I could take ownership of it? No! I got a new job, they asked how I spelled my name, I said, "It doesn't matter, either way." It truly took a year to make the conversion.
Next, several years after my divorce, I decided I was done being a Hobbs.
I decided to go back to my maiden name, not angry, just finished. I called my ex-husband and thanked him for sharing his last name with me for the past 30 years, but that I was going to take my maiden name back. So I went to the courthouse, filled out the paper work for "Miller" and waited patiently for the permission to "be me!"
The permission paper came and I couldn't change my name on anything. I finally went to the DMV, who sent me to the Social Security office who sent me to the DMV....anyway, you get the picture and when they asked me to sign my name...I didn't know how. I was a Hobbs longer than I was a Miller. It just didn't feel right.
I had been toying with the idea to drop my last name completely and become Patricia Hope, Hope being my middle name. A name I could never stand as a child. The joke was, "Hope there was no more kids!"
One day in the middle of my "dark night of the soul," which is what I call the past 6 years of my life, I realized in my yard, thru my tears, looking at a truly neglected rose in the garden, even it was blooming, that "Hope" is all there is! I found it fascinating that someone knew I would need "HOPE" at some point in my life and there it was!
In my work I wanted everything to be light and fun, and so I began playing with Pati yes, one "t." Different enough, light and fun feeling.
I now live by signs....I read in the newspaper someone who had dropped her last name and was going by her first and middle....good enough confirmation for me! And then I went to a new bank and the teller's name was posted, Pati! OKey Dokey! Pati Hope is re born!
Now, you don't think I could become Pati Hope without a panty twist do you! It took along time and alot of talking to myself and seeing myself different. Recently I went to a friend as I was having a bad day....I sat on her couch and began crying...giving her a litany of all the things that weren't going right in my life. I finally burst out, "I don't even know what my fucking name is!" Who am I? We both burst out laughing as we knew the journey.
Now, I know....I've evolved, I'm Pati Hope! Hope is all there is!
Christopher Reeves - Once you choose hope, anything is possible!!
Next, We'll continue the saga.....Master of Transition????? (When I return from my next trip)
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