My Life is a Page Turner

Barbra Brady
May 27
6 min read

Updated: Jun 12

Life is often described as a journey, but for me, it feels more like a multi-genre novel where each chapter takes me to new places, experiences, and lessons (heavy on the lessons). My own version of Gulliver's Travels is constantly shifting—sometimes chaotic, often exhilarating. As I've relocated from state to state, career to career, and social connection to social connection throughout my life, I’ve learned to lean in to this adventure, reframing my mobile existence* as a gripping page-turner instead of a tumultuous roller coaster. (*Not to be confused with my chapter of existence in Mobile, Alabama.)

Location, Location, Location...

Location, Location.

I am about to embark upon my fifth relocation in less than two years. You might say it is unsettling, not knowing “What is to become of me?” “Whatever shall I do?” "To be continued." Or, if you are looking for that great summer read, for the past two years, my life has been a complete page turner.

Chapter 1: The Call of Adventure (and the wild)

It's fascinating how life can change in the blink of an eye. (It is said that every time the deity Shakti opens her eyes, she is creating a new universe.) One moment, I was set in my routines, and the next, I was packing my belongings into boxes, ready for the next chapter. With each relocation, my cats (the wild) and I faced the daunting task of starting anew—finding new friends, settling into a different community, and adjusting to fresh surroundings.

While some might view this instability as a challenge, I’ve come to realize it is an adventure waiting to be experienced. Like a plot twist in a highly suspenseful book, every relocation created new opportunities, experiences, and lessons that enriched my life in unexpected ways. Indeed, my innately curiosity-fueled nature might view a lifetime of staying in place as a ... closed book.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change

When I think of relocating, I recognize that it's not just about moving to another town or job; it’s seeing change as a creative process. Change can be daunting, evoking feelings of fear and anxiety, but when reframed as an adventure, it morphs into something magical. *See more about the magic in my closing lesson.

Each new home presented its own unique character, quirks, and stories—just like characters in a novel. I found beauty and wonder in these transitions, from exploring new tea shops, to swimming pools, friends, and students. Each experience unfolded like a new chapter, capturing the curiosity and excitement that come with exploring the unknown. (*See more about the unknown in the closing chapter.) Pro tip: when my life is feeling frightfully up in the air, a chapter in time can be too much, it can bring on writer's block. When a chapter is all too much to imagine, I pull in to one page a time. Or one paragraph. One sentence. Or, one word. ... Om.

Chapter 3: The Power of Perspective

The power of perspective is crucial. Relocating may seem disorienting, but by choosing to view my life as a page-turner, I’ve managed to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. Important to note, "positive" and "negative" are relative, and shape shift across a lifetime. Just like a skillfully written novel, not every moment is an extreme of "good" or "bad." We need the neutral, too, the white space in our lives. This is an essential part of life, it is the spaciousness that eases contraction.

With each move, I have collected stories and memories that create my narrative. I’ve learned valuable lessons from diverse cultures and lifestyles, which have broadened my understanding of the world, and people. This mindset shift has made each relocation feel less like a burden and more like an enlightening journey filled with growth. It's been hard won, but I now recognize (most of the time) that my biggest obstacles have created the growth I needed.

My practice for this? When stuck, when feeling subsumed by pain, pause and redirect your energy to Self inquiry. Meditate for a moment, and then journal. Ask your Self, what is the antidote to what continues to disrupt your life.

Yama taking a close look at "What's next?"

Chapter 4: Building Connections

One of the most rewarding aspects of my frequent relocations has been the opportunity to build new connections. Each locale has opened doors to new friendships—some lasting a lifetime, others fleeting yet memorable. In fact, some of the most fleeting moments with people have been ones that made a remarkable difference in my life. You never know when a smile, while truly seeing someone, can make their day. Or life.

I have experienced the kindness of strangers who welcomed me into their lives and homes, often welcoming my twin cats Prana and Yama. These connections have empowered me to weave my story into the tapestry of different communities, creating a colorful and fulfilling narrative.

Chapter 5: Finding Home

Home has taken on a new meaning for me. Before, I used to define home by physical spaces, but I’ve realized it’s more about the people and memories created within those spaces.

My heart is now open to understanding that home can be fluid—ever-evolving based on experiences and human connections. Whether it’s a temporary apartment or a cozy cottage, every space I inhabit becomes part of my story.

Present tense: They say a cat always lands on its feet. Prana and Yama, as we are in the creation process of finding our next home, I'll follow your lead. Like Yama says, "What's next?"

Chapter 6: Lessons Learned

Through my five recent relocations (and the countless ones of my lifetime), I’ve gained invaluable life lessons that I carry with me and which I share with friends and students. Some of these include:

Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new environments and situations has helped me grow in unexpected ways. One of my closest friends while in Missoula, Montana, some 25 years ago, when hearing me tell similar tales of my being stuck advised:"Adapt, migrate, or become extinct." That adage has been an antidote many times over the years.
Open-mindedness: Each new place comes with its own culture, values, and people. This experience has taught me to appreciate diversity and approach every situation and outlook with curiosity and acceptance.
Courage: It took courage to pick up and leave what was comfortable. Embracing this challenge has made me more resilient and confident.

Conclusion: Parts Unknown

As my life continues to unfold like the pages of an exhilarating novel, I’m eager to discover what new challenges and adventures await. While my fifth relocation might seem like just another chapter in my life, it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and connect waiting to happen.

Every move is a reminder that life is dynamic, filled with changes that have taught me to embrace, rather than move away from fear. With a heart full of gratitude, I choose to view my journey as a page-turner—a captivating story still in the making.

Here at the end of May, 2025, my next move is to Parts Unknown. Wherever life takes me next (I'm open to radical relocation), I look forward to the adventures of tomorrow, scripts yet to be written, and tales that will add depth and richness to my story. Here’s to more twists, more turns, and an unending sense of adventure!

In closing, I offer a practice from the ancient text, The Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. I’ve been studying this text with a beloved group of friends from around the world in weekly Zoom sessions based on the teachings of our teacher, Sally Kempton. I’ve been studying and practicing yoga for well over 50 years, with numerous wonderful teachers. Sally’s juicy and accessible gift for imparting ancient wisdom is beyond the shadow of a doubt what is seeing me through this time of facing “Parts Unknown.” And that doubt-free state? For me, that is the heartwood of what sees me through the greatest fears, and is what I, in turn, hold in intention as I work with my own students.