When I started the Second Acts series on my blog, I intended to gather enough posts for the two months leading up to the launch of Between Land and Sea. But I found I couldn’t just end the series. There are too many inspiring reinvention stories out there.
Pearls of wisdom from eight amazing women…
As we make our transitions, whether by choice or by necessity, we need to keep in mind that we are in charge of our own “happily ever afters,” and happiness involves growing and changing. Enjoy the journey. Beth Carpenter
My best advice for anyone in this situation is, know you are not alone and there is a way out. Listen to your gut, it doesn’t lie to you. The road is not easy, but the escape is possible. The courage to take back your life lies within you, just reach for it, grab hold, and start pulling yourself out. It will be the sweetest freedom you’ve ever tasted. J.J. Devine
Most of us are truly unaware of how much difference we make when we act on our beliefs. Doors open and dreams do become reality. Always be mindful of what is taking place in your life. Grab hold of opportunities. Make the most of each moment and every encounter. You never know where it will take you. Marcy Field
My advice for others is to never give up on your dreams. Life might get in the way, but keep your love for art always at arm’s length. No matter what heartaches life threw at me, I always believed in family values and following my dreams. JoAnne Myers
I certainly haven’t been an overnight success; it took years and many rejections before I was published. If success is judged by dollars, I would have been far better off concentrating on a career in accounting. But I know I wouldn’t be as happy or as fulfilled. These days I consider myself a full-time writer, though I still work a part-time casual job in accounting. I’m still honing my craft, pushing myself to write a better book with each new project. Jana Richards
This comes from my training as an engineer: Every problem has a solution. I find this applicable on the social level too, if one looks hard enough and is willing to step out of the box circumstances and/or society imposed. Lilas Taha
During my thirteen year hiatus I never stopped writing. I just stopped submitting for publication. Until I ran across a call for submissions from Pelican Book Group. I read over it, and read over it again, and within the hour, The Rising was on its way to Pelican. It’s a story involving forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. It was a perfect fit, for us both. Lynn Chandler Willis
My advice for anyone contemplating a second act is what inspired me to do it – “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we are afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long make.” I don’t want regrets. Susan Peterson Wisnewski
smpauthors.wordpress.com 
What a cool idea! Love the quotes.
Thanks Catherine!