This post could also be named "Second Acts".
A recent NYTimes article (June 30, 2010) reported that superheroine Wonder Woman, would receive a "dramatic makeover with the release of Issue No. 600 of her monthly series". Wonder Woman first appeared in 1941 and now in this her 8th makeover, Wonder Woman will supposedly look like she belongs in 2010. Click on this Wonder Woman link to enjoy the evolution of Wonder Woman to this her 69th year. The designer Jim Lee who brought the new costume to life says the new Wonder Woman in leggings and a strapless top is more universal. (I love it!!)
I was struck among other things by the lasting beauty, stamina, and integrity of this superhero. Still fighting villains, still being underestimated (after 69 years, you would think that villains would know better than to cross her path. After all, she always gets the job done!), and still rising to the ocassion. And savvy enough to change her costume so she is relevant to the times. Are you a wonder woman in your own way?
In the same newspaper, there were two other articles that snagged my attention:
Story 1:
Larry King announced that he would end his long-running CNN talk show, "Larry King Live," after 25 years. King would end the show on his own terms. I wondered how King would fare in his next act. I paid special attention to "on his own terms".
Story 2:
In the 1980s I would often join Madonna in singing, "living in a material world, and I am a Material Girl" even though I was paying little attention to the words. Well the real Material Girl - Madonna is making a comeback with her new clothing line aimed at teenagers. Madonna... is this your second act?
The burning question, "How will you usher in your second act?" Will you have a costume change or will you perform on a different stage? Will you revive an old act, or will you create something brand new? Some of you will be forced through lost jobs, burn-out, or other unwelcome situations to create a second act. I hope most of you will craft your Act II "on your own terms".
Women who've had multiple acts:
I think of women like Condeleezza Rice, Maya Angelou, Hillary Clinton who is roaming the world proudly representing us as diplomat extraordinaire, and Janis Karpinski, for whom the curtain rose and fell on the world stage, and on smaller arenas there were sisters like Janet Wise, co-founder of A Seat at the Table, Inc., Carol Camerino, Kathy Kane of Kane Creative Consulting , Bonnie St. John writer, and triumphant spirit, and the brilliant Janet Cargill as well as others like Bertha Artis, Carole Allen, Donna Williams, Josette Jean-Francois, and so many others whose second act occurs in a smaller public. Some of these women created their second act on their own terms, but all have done so with grace, with dignity, with the wisdom gained from their past experience, and with the stamina, the power, and the charm of Wonder Woman.
This is an idea that is dear to me because I'm also in my second act.
While the choice to begin your second act may be out of your hands, how you perform in your second act will be entirely up to you. It is nerve wracking and exciting, it is uncertain and exhilirating, but take heart. Those who've done it have done their best performances the second time around. So, how do you know you are approaching your second act? Well, I think it's when you find yourself asking, "What will I do now?" I think it's an awesome question representing a new beginning.
Former NYTimes correspondent - Timothy Egan wrote an article on the very theme highlighting second act aces. Surely the idea is something to think about and hopefully share with a friend. Here's your challenge... what are you doing to prepare for your second act? Will it be on your own terms ... or will it creep up on you like snow in the middle of July (in the Northeast of course)?
What can I say about second acts? Bring 'em on... You have far more to offer than wonder woman? You are a living, thinking, caring, passionate, creative individual who wants to be your best self. You are more in charge of your own life and you aim to make a difference. You are not a comic strip character but you might be inspired by them. You can remake your image, you can recharge your passion, and you can be sure you are still relevant. While you do so... continue to build your character, live your best life, and don't compromise your integrity.
You will be better than ever the second time around!! Don't you agree?
