Say hello to our classmate Darlene Versak, a mystic living in a quiet suburban county outside of Philadelphia, PA. She believes curiosity, wonder and laughter are key spices for life. An Accountant during the day, she spends the rest of her free time as a Life Alchemist, contemplating meaning and love. Her book is available on Amazon Words: A Journey to the Light Within.
About the book: Words, A Journey to the Light Within depicts an experience of awakening. Seven years of writing, songs, pictures and poetry show how one person’s mindset changed from victim to creator. It’s a beautiful voyage of unraveling the stories and programs handed down from generation to generation. The reader joins the author as she walks us through being a child of an alcoholic, surviving cancer, divorce, and ultimately returning to the light within. Lessons are learned and epiphanies shared. It’s a story about hope. It’s art. It’s a reminder that you can do hard things. Wake up! It’s your life. It’s never too late to choose a new. Click here to get your copy of “Words.”
Photo of Darlene by Jody Robinson, photodesignsbyjody.com
Scroll down to learn more about Darlene’s journey since high school.
PW Classmates: What do you do now for work? And what has your career path been?
Darlene: I began in corporate America working at General Electric (GE) first as an Administrative Assistant then I became a Training Coordinator. I moved to IMS America next and quit that job when my mom passed away to stay home for two years and be with my young children. When my youngest went to kindergarten I returned to work for House & Home Magazine and have been there as an Accounting Director for 23 years.
PW Classmates: Are you married? Kids? Grandkids?
Darlene: I have been divorced for 10 years. I have two sons who are adults now and no grandchildren yet. I’m hopeful!
PW Classmates: What did you dream of becoming when you were in high school?
Darlene: Honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was in high school. At that time, I knew I had to work to make money, but I had no clear direction. I wandered into jobs. The “real” job at GE was the first time I was intentional about working for a corporation. I attended Ursinus college at night. It took 7 years to finish; there were no accelerated programs back then. I was the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I graduated magna-cum laude in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration a few weeks after my first son was born.
PW Classmates: What advice would you give to your high school self?
Darlene: Slow down. Take time to create. Be kind to yourself and others. You’re doing the best you can. All shall be well.
PW Classmates: What advice do you have for others about creating your best life?
Darlene: I believe a person’s mindset is important. When I got divorced, I felt lost, and my life unraveled. I’d checked off the boxes of what I was supposed to do, and I wasn’t happy. That was the beginning of me figuring out who I am and finding peace. I think we are choosing between Love and fear all the time. I desire to choose Love as much as possible. I decided to try 50 new things when I turned 50, and it changed my life. I went back to writing, a passion I had as a teenager. I started hiking and traveling. I went to new restaurants, met new friends, and my world expanded. I self-published Words: A Journey to the Light Within, which talks about my journey. I began a daily spiritual practice of meditating. If you want to create your best life, start by asking yourself: What do I desire? Sit with that for a while.
PW Classmates: What would you like to say to all of your classmates today?
Darlene: Hello, old friends! Don’t be so serious. We’ve made it through the ups and downs and we persevere. Let’s create, be curious, play, wonder and love. Wake up! This is your one life, what do you want to do with it? It’s never too late. Choice is your super power. Claim your power and enjoy the ride!