Not So Simple Moment

This season of Lent, our church provided us with a small printed version of The Magnificat Lenten Companion.  I challenged myself to read this daily and reflect on the passages and to read the suggested reflections from the Bible daily.   I will say, most Lents of past,  I would start out with really good intentions, but eventually other things in life would get in the way, and it would seem that I would put it down and possibly pick it up sparingly or maybe not at all.  This Lent was different ... it was really different.  I believe myself, and others, will always remember  this as the Lent of the pandemic.  Coronavirus of 2020.  

With this pandemic comes isolation and closure of most things we find normal in our lives.  It has given all of us a chance to quiet ourselves, to reflect, and to see things in a most different manner.   While this has been maddening in some ways, it has been refreshing in many other ways.

I want to share the last paragraph of the Magnificat Lenten Companion.  It truly was the very last part of the very last reflection, written by Father Gregory Pine.  It reads:

“In His resurrection, Christ shows that He has left no stone unturned — no ruin unredeemed.  He has suffered all loss for love of us.  Though we have strayed, He has anguished in search for us.  For He loves our destiny even more than we do, and He has gone before us to seek it out.  So, while our search for Him continues, we rest assured that He has found us.”

So many people speak of their “aha” moment.  That moment during prayer, reflection, daily life, traumatic experience when they have had that moment of intense connection with God, the Holy Spirit, a deep moment of connection.  I have often been asked to describe my “aha” moment.  I struggle mightily with this, as I honestly can’t recall a “aha” moment ... at least a moment that I would truly say was “aha”!!!

I found myself during this Lenten season, while I was doing my reflections, readings, and prayer daily,  trying to feel that special moment.  I admit readily that I don’t pray well.  I probably do best reading scripture, spiritual books, brief reflections.  I have always been envious of folks that say they can meditate, quiet themselves, and fill their rooms with prayer and solitude.  I’ve tried.  When I do this, I usually find my mind wandering to current events, news of the day.  I’ve told myself not to despair, that even in my wandering reflection, God is speaking to me, but I find it very hard to believe that he is talking to me about Grey’s Anatomy or the last TV show I just watched.   So, I’ve tried.   I’ve had to abandon that approach.  At least for now.

This Lent I did read, I read a lot.   I watched the videos from Best Lent Ever by Matthew Kelly, and I journaled every day on their messages.  Every day it seemed that these passages and reflections were specifically written for me and for all of us during this isolation of the pandemic.  While I knew that these were recorded and written long before the pandemic even came into our lives, they reflected these times.  Then the realization came to me, that God’s words apply to any and every moment in our lives.  We can listen and read His words daily, and they will apply to every facet of our lives.  Wow!  How comforting is that to me now.  I know I can pick up the Bible, a spiritual publication, or recite a specific prayer,  and it will indeed speak to the very moment in my life.

While I prayed every day, I know I also prayed about the “aha” moment.   What was it, when did it come, how could I have missed it?

Due to the isolation requirements, all of our liturgies during Lent and Holy Week were either via TV or life streamed on the internet.  Thanks be to God for that luxury.   I watched all of them, prayed alone in my living room, in pajamas most of the time.  Good Friday service has always been one of my favorite to attend and participate in the service.  I am in our choir at church, and this is the service when our particular choir provides the music.  It is the most beautiful music we do all year.  I admit it was really tough, really tough to watch this service in solitude this year.   I retired to bed with a heavy heart, both for the current situation of our pandemic, and also for the sacred time of Good Friday.

I found myself awakened at 6:00 a.m. on Holy Saturday morning. Abruptly awakened as if an alarm had gone off, or someone had called my name to awaken me.   Though I tried, sleep alluded me, and I finally got up, even while it was still dark outside.  I heard the birds singing brightly and loudly outside, so I ventured on to my balcony.  I sat in the darkness of the early morning and decided I would watch the sunrise.   While I listened to the birds sing,  the wind chimes make their music, and the soft purring of the wind,  I found myself praying, but prayers of confusion.  Prayers for the confusion of the redemption given to us by our Christ.  Again I pondered that “aha” moment.  I awaited the sunrise with confusion.  I know of the redemption and the resurrection, but why am I so confused?  I awaited the sunrise with prayers from my soul of confusion.

Easter Sunday, though spent in pandemic isolation, I celebrated.  I celebrated with a Zoom meeting online with my family.  It was good to see their faces and hear their voices even when hugs and kisses were not allowed.  I hope we never forget our much we have missed hugs!  Still we celebrated.  He is risen!!!

So now I find myself on Monday, the Monday after Easter.  There is one more reflection by Matthew Kelly challenging us to look at this past Lent and what we did correctly to prepare for Easter and what we could have done better.  Again he mentions the “aha” moment.  I actually write in my journal that I’m not sure I have had an “aha” moment, and if I did I missed it. How could I have missed my “aha” moment.  Who does that?

I pick up my Magnificant Lenten Companion, and I realize in my celebrating of Easter yesterday, that I didn’t realize that there was an entry in the publication even on Easter Sunday. I had thought it ended and was completed at the completion of Lent.  So this morning I read yesterday’s reflection.

“In His resurrection, Christ shows that He has left no stone unturned — no ruin unredeemed.  He has suffered all loss for love of us.  Though we have strayed, He has anguished in search for us.  For He loves our destiny even more than we do, and He has gone before us to seek it out.  So, while our search for Him continues, we rest assured that He has found us.”

I quietly cried in my solitude and isolation this morning.  There it was right in front of me.  My “aha” moment.   Through all my efforts at prayer, all my efforts at seeing a bright glow, described by so many others, all my attempts at meditation, all my journaling, and most importantly my sitting alone on a balcony at 6:00 a.m. on Holy Saturday, awaiting the sunrise, awaiting the sunrise in confusion ...  here is my “aha” moment.   He loves my destiny even more than I do, and He has gone before me to seek it out.  So, while my search for Him continues, I can be assured that He has already found me.   He has already found me.   Aha !!!!!!!!!!!

I Await the Sunrise

The day after this other

this Holy Saturday

confusion of what 

happened yesterday

did I yet know of this resurrection

did I understand the resurrection

Awakened in the dark of the morning

birds singing, their words unclear

awaiting the dawn of the morning

of this day, of this life

I await the sunrise in

prayerful confusion

The songful prayers of

nature, of the awaiting 

of the new beginning

Life renewed, made fresh

cleansed by holy blood

of darkness made light

A heart made tender

but of quiet confusion

To move forward, ever

forward into an unknown,

an unknown of hope

I await the sunrise in 

prayerful confusion

The gradual and slow show of

hues of light, creeping into

the darkness into full light

Was this similar to my baptism,

my baptism into light, my

journey

I await the sunrise in

prayerful confusion

This dawning, this dawning 

of renewed hope, confused

hope, of this redemption

I sit and await the sunrise

I sit and await the sunrise while

nature’s music fills my soul

I sit and I await the sunrise

in prayerful confusion, but 

assuredly knowing it will come

It will come even in my

confusion

I sit and await the sunrise

with prayer in my soul

What Are You Going To Do?

At the young age of 15, I started my first job.  First job meaning it was not babysitting, but a “real” job that required taxes, work schedule, and “real” paycheck at end of pay period.   Now at age of almost 66, I embark on my new life of REWIREMENT!   You’ll note that I did not call this RETIRING!  I refuse ... as I have no intention of retiring from anything.   Definition of “retire” by Merriam .. 1.) To withdraw from action or danger; retreat.  2) to withdraw especially for privacy retired to her room.

Oh Heck No!!!!!!!

Definition of “rewire” by Merriam:  1) to provide or connect something with wire again.   Well there you go, I am rewiring myself.     The wire that concentrated on responsibilities of career and work days, months, years is now being replaced by the wire that will concentrate on so many different things and opportunities.

Recently at a team meeting at work, we were asked to share our “word” for 2019.   I was so proud to hear my teammates all relate to a word that focused on the big picture in life and not just a work related goal.   As I thought about my word, I had a great deal of difficulty choosing the right sentiment.  I kept hearing service, action, assistance, sharing, loving in my thoughts.  I kept trying to see which one spoke to me the loudest.  I knew my focus would be different when the responsibilities of work went away at the end of January.   As I discerned, I finally realized that all of these words directly related to my Baptism.   That’s right, my Baptism!   So my word for 2019 is Baptism.  What I want to do is live my Baptism more fully.  

I announced my intention of leaving work at the beginning of 2018.  Over the course of the year, if I heard the question, “what are you going to do” once, I had to have heard it a 1000 times. My first several responses were to try to name the litany of opportunities I hoped to embrace.  I finally tired of that, and merely would just answer “whatever I want to do.”     It dawned on me, while receiving these questions, along with the implication of how much I had thrown myself into my career, that folks actually had almost defined me by my work.  By seeing me in action in that capacity, they felt that I would be bored when I stepped away.  More than one person has said, “that will last about 2 months, and then you’ll need to find a part tine job.”    It concerns me to be defined in such a manner.  Really?  Is that what folks really see?

I’ve done a lot of soul searching in 2018.  I won’t begin to say that this new journey has been worry free, anxiety free, and questioning to me in many, many ways.   But I kept coming back to my word ... BAPTISM!     My father would always give me tips on how to look and think about worries.  I am a natural worrier, and often if I don’t have something to worry about, I’ll create something.   He used to tell me to name two things that could happen with my worry, and when I did so, he would simply say, “that doesn’t sound like the end of the world to me.”    So here are my two thoughts about leaving work:

1. I feel great!  I am still very, very good at what I do.  I still problem solve with the best.   I still mentor my team quite effectively.   I love my job.   I have the energy to keep working right along, and I guess I can do that until I get sick or die.  Or when I hear, “there sits Sharon, she’ll be here until the last dog dies!”

Or ....

2.  I feel great!  I can step away when my team is strong.  I can leave them in the hands of a young, fresh mind with great knowledge.   I can leave and give someone that is 30 years my junior an opportunity to step into an amazing position, with an amazing team, an amazing team of coparts, and an amazing director. Then I can take my heathy, vital, full of energy body and move on to exciting new adventures and embrace so many opportunities that I would not be able to do, if I kept working.

Guess what?  I choose #2!!!!!!!  I’m now going to live my new definition!!

Deuteronomy 15:11. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Proverbs 3:27. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

My energies will be focused on serving.  I have been blessed my entire life, while others have had such struggles that most of us cannot even comprehend.   In my own  small way,  I want to make a difference.  I am blessed to belong to a church community that serves over 1000 lunch guests weekly  with hot meals they would not otherwise receive.   I’ll be participating in this venture.  I also will be working with Habitat for Humanity.  Habitat’s Mission. Putting God’s love into  action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope through affordable  housing solutions.

I also want to embrace new lands, new people, new customs through travel.  Scriptures for traveling, “ You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”  Deuteronomy 28:6   My  motto for travel are the THREE L’s ... Learn, Laugh, Love.   First we “learn” from new ventures, new lands, new people, then we “laugh” with each other with our customs, our accents, the way we look, then we “love” when we embrace our diversity.    I’ve always found that in the end, we are all truly one people!

So for those of you who wonder “what will you do” ... worry not!   I promise you I am not retiring but rather rewiring!   But if you want to, go ahead and underestimate me, that will be fun!

I am embracing my new journey.  I know that I will have self doubt, scared moments along the way, but I’m all in ...  I’m 100% all in!

Proverbs 16:9.  The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 

Don't Get Frustrated ... Get Energized!!

I write this blog post for my dear comrades on our health journey.  You know who you are.  If this touches others, then that is just awesome.

Most of us have been on our healthy journey for anywhere between one to four plus years.   During this time frame, I think it is safe to say, that all of us have come a long way, baby!!!!!!!  We have endured several months of a Phase 1 type program, with very stringent guidelines, without many optional choices coming into play.   Then as we progressed, we moved into a Phase 2 type program, which allowed for a slow transition “back into the real world.”  I think it is safe to say that most of us made this transition extremely slowly, not only out of trying to see what our bodies would do, and how they would react to the institution of certain foods back into our systems, but probably the strongest reason … FEAR!!!

Yes, I said it … FEAR!!!!   We were afraid of the scale, afraid of certain food groups, afraid we would lapse back into very bad habits, and yes, just afraid of going back into the abyss.   I think it is also safe to say that we all reacted to and responded to this fear in many different ways.   I am sure among these responses were:  1) putting food into our diet … then taking it back out.  2) Because of what the scale may have done in number (1), we then reverted completely back to Phase 1.  3) Then when the scale was friendly again, we repeated number (1).   Then probably repeated number (2).    And on, and on, and on.

Then we became a bit more secure in our new lifestyle and noticed that after we let our bodies respond to new additions back into our diet, we did slowly slip into a Phase 2 cycle where we had somewhat of a balance of lean proteins, veggies and fruits, our protein shakes, and maybe, just maybe a whole grain.  Some of us may have not done whole grains and may actually not be doing them to this day.  But, Phase 2 became more comfortable and not quite so scary.

During all the time of Phase 1 and Phase 2, we were also becoming more and more active in the gym, working with our trainer, or participating in outside activities that promoted a healthy exercise regime.   We may have found that we increased our exercise levels, but really did not tweak our Phase 2 diet intake or get a healthy balance to our nutrition/exercise level.  NOTE TO SELF!!!!!!

As the months and even years progressed, we may have found that as we progressed, we blinked an eye, and found that we were really truly living in the “real world.”  What a liberating feeling to know that we have made a lifestyle change and not a “diet” change, and we have found that we can actually go day to day, eat healthily, and maintain our weight range nicely.   

The downfall to this new “freedom” comes the threat of becoming a bit too comfortable and slowly but surely letting trigger foods back into our lives.  Trigger foods by themselves are not the culprit, but they can be a red flag if they lead to a more sustained unhealthy lifestyle and take us out of our game.

I have heard so many of my comrades on this journey state how frustrated they have become, as everything tends to be getting harder.  You would think that as time passed, things would get easier, but this is certainly not the case.  Understood!  Completely understood!

It seems that our willpower was stronger when we still had weight to lose, or initially on the journey, or progressing into Phase 2.  Now here we are anywhere from one to 4 years later, and where is our willpower?

I remember our health educator saying you CAN NOT rely on willpower.  Boy, do I now know that to be words of truth.  Willpower will help sometimes, possibly even most times, but certainly not EVERY time.   I am a firm believer of what ends up working long term is the comfort learned from experiencing over and over and over and over, and did I say over again, and again, and again the trials and tribulations of what our bodies do and how they perform.   Not until we learn and allow ourselves to become comfortable with the scale fluctuations, the cravings, and the best ways to live in the real world will we ever function frustration free.    Life is not a utopia, and frustration will never be completely gone, but I firmly believe it is possible for it only to exist at maybe 5% or less in our lives.   But this does not come easy, it is not without fight, and I know I am not there completely yet, even after 4+ years!

I have decided to try to put some forms of action together to help us through these frustrating times. They are certainly not cure-all’s, but maybe, just maybe they will make things a bit easier.  If these do not work, then we will try others.  My motto for these are going to be DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!!

Weekends (or whatever your most difficult time is) – our support group recently spoke about weekends.  Our group exercises strenuously with our trainer throughout the week.   We are so vulnerable on the weekend for so many different reasons 1) our bodies are tired and recuperating from the workouts, 2) we are hungrier because our bodies are in recovery mode, 3) our social lives are so different on the weekend, 4) what works for us during the week, doesn’t necessarily work for us on weekends due to number (1), number (2), and number (3)    DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!

Hungrier?  -- Come up with a new healthy recipe that is super delicious, something you may not have time to fix throughout the week, or you save for those “craving” weekends. Fix it and enjoy it!!!  I recently added a pasta dish to my weekend menu that is both delicious and healthy, and it was so SATISFYING.   DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!

Not Satisfied? – Plan your treat.   If you like a specific dessert or appetizer, identify it, plan it in your food prep, and allow yourself to indulge.   I would almost go out on the limb and say it is OK to do this on a weekend basis, a monthly basis, whatever is satisfying (JUST NOT DAILY).   To allow yourself to never have your special treat, to me is a perfect GPS to disappointment and frustration.   I love bread pudding.  Derby Dinner Playhouse has delicious bread pudding.   I have season tickets to Derby Dinner.  If you look at my calendar right now, you will see Derby Dinner on my calendar for October 12, and right next to that entry is “bread pudding!”  This keeps me sane.   I don’t have bread pudding every day, every week, every month … but I do have it every time I go to Derby Dinner Playhouse, which is about every 8 to 10 weeks!!!  DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!!!

Bored during down time and thinking about food? – redirect your thoughts.  On the weekend, I have more downtime, and less exercise time, as I tend to use these days for my needed rest time from the gym.  Thus, I get easily bored, and I find myself when I am resting, of course, thinking about food.  When I stop and really tune into my feelings, I may not even be hungry, but rather bored, as I am just more idle.   I have begun to get up off the couch, and clean a room in my house.  Clean out a closet, a drawer.   May not sound exciting, but I bet all of us love that feeling when our house is tidier, or our closet is cleaned out, to stand back and look at it, and enjoy the declutter. There is truth in decluttering your life as being beneficial.     If you are not a cleaner, or your house is already clean (so not mine) then crochet, read, take the dog for a walk, write a letter to a friend you have not seen in a while, catch up with your DVR.   Just occupy your mind, so you take the focus off food!!!  DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!!!

Feel Alone? --  Sometimes we just feel we are on an island, and everyone else is normal, we are not, everyone else is skinny, we are not, everyone else can have what they want, and we cannot.   Find your tribe!!!!!!!  We are blessed to have such a wonderful support group.  I thank God every day for each and every one of you.     We are all just a text away from a cheery reply, an empathetic reply, words of encouragement, and suggestions for getting through a particular incidence.  Use your tribe!!!  DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!!!

We have done all this and we still failed? – First and foremost, let’s forgive ourselves.    If we wouldn’t say it to someone else, let’s  not say it to ourselves.   We are warriors!!
 

I am a firm believer that God puts all of us exactly where we are supposed to be with exactly the right people.      DON’T GET FRUSTRATED … GET ENERGIZED!!!

#65joyfully bold ... Bananas!!!

So my blog posts for the most part this year will be in reference to turning the magic age of 65!!  I have dedicated this year to being 65 and joyfully bold.  Thus the #65joyfullybold.  I am not sure what all of that will mean or entail, but I guess we will see as the year progresses.  I am hoping more funny stories than sad stories, but my intent is to capture them all in words, for no other reason but to commit them to my memory. 

I am determined that this is going to be a “good” year for me.  I can feel confident in saying that, because I am determined that I am going to MAKE it a good year for me.   Anything can be happy or sad, but I believe how one perceives it, is what it turns into in reality. 

I turned 65 on February 9.  Each year I sign up for The Triple Crown of Road Races.  Since I live in the Louisville, Kentucky area, this is the beginning of the season for Kentucky Derby.  I am not a runner!!!  I have never been a runner, and I am certainly not a runner at age 65.  However, I am a walker.  I walk, and I walk, and I walk, and I walk.   For a little history, in April 2014 I joined a wellness program, and it was a life changing event for me.  I lost 70 pounds and I have maintained that 70 pound weight loss (give or take a few pounds, depending on if the scale is being a brat or not!) for 4 years.   As part of my wellness journey, I paired healthy eating with healthy lifestyle, including working with a personal trainer and exercise.  I have learned to love it, and I mean LOVE it!!!!  I do not have to make myself go to the gym.  I have to make myself not go to the gym.  

So, in keeping with each of the past 4 years, I signed up for the Triple Crown of Road Races again this year.  First race was a 5K.  It was held on March 10. The weather that day was very cold, but at least it was dry. We had had some sleet and rain in the previous days, so we did have black ice along the route.  I finished that race in 56:41.  A little behind my normal walking pace, but being cognizant of black ice, slowed me down a bit.  The 10K race followed on March 24.   It was a torrential downpour the entire time. Wind gusting, puddles, and continuous rain, and I do mean rain!  Miserable.  Finished that race in 1:47.  Again not bad for the condition, and I was never so happy to see my car.  The next race was April 7.  The 10 miler!!! Just when you think it cannot get any worse, guess what?  It did!  Snowing, blowing, and freezing temperatures the entire 10 miles.  The worst part is 3.5 miles of that particular course is in Iroquois Park, which is uphill.  Uphill with blowing snow and blustery wind in our faces.   When I reached the 5-mile marker toward the top of the park, my first thought was, “dear Lord, I don’t have 5 more miles left in me.”   On I walked, maintaining my normal pace.  I have learned to count in my head while I walk, so I know I am maintaining the pace that is healthy for me, depending on the distance.   When we exited the park, the first mile marker I saw was the 7-mile marker.  Again, I contemplated if I had three more miles left in me.  I literally prayed, yes, I prayed.  I asked for strength, I prayed that I could do it, and I told myself, “If you can walk 7 miles, you can walk 8. “  When I got to 8 miles, again I told myself, “If you can walk 8 miles, you can walk 9.”  Fortunately, when I got to the 9-mile marker, I could hear the loud speaker at the finish line cheering folks on and saying, “You are almost here.”   When I crossed the finish line, my purple fleece top was completely white and snow covered, and my hat had icicles handing off the brim.  My first comment, truthfully, to myself (since my friends were a bit behind me) was, “I’m not doing the mini marathon (13.1 miles).  I am done.  I have no more miles left in me.”    My time for that race was 2:58.  Eleven minutes slower than last year, but considering the conditions, I will take it.

It is now two more weeks before the mini marathon, and guess what?  I have changed my mind.  Oh heck yes I am doing it!  With the grace of God, I will do it, and I will finish it.   If I can walk 10 miles, I can walk 13.1 miles.  When I am done with that one, the series is over for this year, and I will take a rest.

I have already planned another adventure, in fact a trip out West to drive down Hwy 1 of the scenic Pacific Coast, is scheduled for May.  And, I will have more stories to tell about that adventure.

Even though this series of races could have been a bad experience, and at the time, I definitely thought they were, I have made them good.  I got a free banana after every race!!!!  (Except the 10 miler, I could not walk any further to the booth to pick one up.) 

So I guess my closing thought for this post is … all those races sure were a heck of a lot work for a banana!!!!!   But #65joyfullybold …

65 Joyfully Bold ...

Today, I turn 65.  Yes, that is correct, 65!!!!   I always thought the phrase, “where has the time gone?” was a bit of a cliché.  I may be thinking about that a bit differently these days.

I recently heard this comment:

“Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.”

Boy, I can appreciate this now.   Yes, I turn 65 today.  I like to think of 65 as the new 40!!!!!  I believe I actually feel better now at 65, then I did when I was 40. For that I can be so very grateful.   I started a wellness program about 4 years ago, and I can honestly say that it has changed my life, I know it has extended my life, and in actuality, probably saved my life.

I think the reality of age 65 may have hit me the strongest when I opened my mail and found my Medicare card.  I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.  And to even be more cynical, since I am still working, I don’t need it yet, and I fear that by the time that I do, that it won’t be worth the paper it is written on any longer … given our current political climate!

Last year, in my 64^th year, my promise to myself was to “live boldly.”   I think I accomplished that in many ways.   I like to celebrate these bold moves last year …

·         Maintained a 70-pound weight loss for yet another year … 3 years currently!

·         Took a transatlantic cruise from Tampa, Florida to Barcelona, Spain.  The boldest part of this was the flight home, given my less than comfortable level with flying!

·         Deadlifted 165 pounds!!  (Can I add to this that I am 4’9” and about 130 pounds!)

·         Walked at least 200 miles in different road races throughout the year.

·         Participated in several rallies/protests over beliefs I hold dear.  Some that I thought would be uncomfortable, but actually turned out to be huge blessings.

But rather just sharing what I did, I’d like to reflect on what I’ve learned.   And not just in my 64^th year, but during my 64 years.     I love the meme I saw once that said, “Some days I just wish I had the wisdom of a ninety-year-old, the body of a twenty-year-old, and the energy of a three-year-old.”  That may just be the home run!!!!!

I’ve learned …

·         Say the right words at the time.  You may not get another opportunity.

·         Eat healthy, exercise well, diminish your stress, and sleep well.

·         Your body listens to everything you say about it and to it.  Be kind!!  If you wouldn’t say it to somebody else, don’t say it to yourself.

·         Laugh!  I mean belly laugh!!!!! And, then belly laugh again, and again, and yet again!  There is truth in the statement that laughter is the best medicine.

·         It’s OK to be afraid, as long as you don’t let it paralyze you.

·         Find your true friends and nourish those friendships. True friendship is a huge blessing from God, and with all grace, needs to be embraced and nurtured.

·         Love your family. All of them, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins.  They are your family!

·         Don’t be afraid to cry.  Cry if you are sad, cry if you are happy, cry if you are frustrated.   A good cry is good for the soul.

·         Make a commitment to do at least one fun thing a day. Don’t wait for tomorrow, that opportunity may not come.

·         Dance!   Get up and dance!!! Everyone can dance, believe me, everyone can dance!

·         Walk in the rain.  It is so refreshing.

·         Make sure to play in the snow.  So much fun to catch snowflakes on your tongue. Don’t worry if someone sees you.

·         Always use your hands to help others.

·         Get a dog. Get two or three dogs.  Surround yourself with dogs.   It is unconditional love personified.

·         Be kind to nature.  It holds majesty.  Just sit or walk in nature and listen. That’s all that is needed.

·         Squish your toes in the sand and surf.  

·         Always be honest.  Simply be honest.

·         Meet new people from different places, different cultures, different religions, different countries. Our diversity makes us strong.

·         At any opportunity, hold a baby.  Watch their eyes as they start to explore. We can learn a lot from them.

·         Sing! Sing! Sing!  If it’s sacred music that speaks to you, sing it.  Whatever touches your soul in song, sing it!

·         Drive safely.  If someone is frustrated with your speed and tries to “push you along”, just turn up the radio, and sing along!

·         Read.  Read everything you can get your hands on.  It’s a beautiful way to explore so many avenues.

·         Travel, and then travel some more. The world is our playground, and knowledge abounds.

·         Decorate your home for the seasons.   Each season is an awesome work of art from God.  Celebrate it!

·         Work hard.  Find a job that makes you want to get up every day, and work hard.

·         Love through every pore in your body.  If you’ve ever truly loved someone, you never stop loving them.   Store it in the right place.

·         Never accept in silence.  If it is important to your beliefs, make your voice heard!

·         Pray.  Start your day off with prayer, and end your day with prayer.   It can just be a conversation, a spiritual book, a silent time spent with you and your God.

·         Worship!   Whatever your belief, worship!

·         Always, without exception, be kind!

I always thought I might be a little sad to grow older, and it seems that 65 is indeed a special number.  But rather than sad, I feel excitement. I feel bold excitement.  If I’m being 100% honest, I may be a bit sad because I know my days may be getting a bit shorter, if life expectancy can be considered.   For that, I am sad.  But I am excited, as I feel that the “knowledge” that I’ve learned over the many years, has resulted in my being much more “in the moment.”   It makes me want to embrace many different and new things, and it has made me less afraid.  Not being afraid may be one of the biggest blessings of growing older.   I think we all experience fear as we are growing up.  First our fears as a child, then our fears of acceptance as a teenager, then our fears of young adulthood, our fears of parenthood.  Yes, there are fears of growing older, but I think our knowledge of “living in the moment” truly helps to allay those fears.  I know it has for me.

So my year of 2017, I committed to “live boldly.”  My year of 65 is committed to being 65 and joyfully bold.   I do believe God calls us to be bold with our lives.  

God has always put me in the right place, with the right people, at the right time.  So … I am 65 and joyfully bold!!!!!!

When I was 64 ...

I started out the year of 2017 saying it was going to be my year of “living boldly.”  Yes, a lot of this determination was brought on by the 2016 Presidential Election and the outcome of the unrest that ensued following said election.  I am proudly and unapologetically liberal, so to say it has been a year of angst, for my soul, would be an understatement.  I have said repeatedly, and I will say again now, it has nothing to do with political differences.  We all have our own political agendas and thoughts on how things should work. But the difference with this election was not political … it was pure out and out humanity.  That is a line in the sand, my friends.

With this unrest, I committed myself to “living boldly.”  Never accept through silence, take each day as a beautiful gift from our God, embrace that gift, share it with others, and above all live and love each and every single day … live and love each and every single day.

So my year of 2017, the year I turned 64 on February 9 …

 From the very first of the year, I remained totally and completely ensconced on my wellness journey.  I worked with my company and my health educator and personal trainer to help spread the word to other employees.  I committed to being available to my fellow co-workers to assist them on their health journey.    This is one of my most passionate missions, and I am so thankful to boldly participate.

January brought a lot of unrest in the political arena.  I attended my first ever protest and rally on January 31.  This was in response to the recent ban on immigration.   I found this disturbing on so many fronts.  It has repercussions that most of us cannot even imagine yet or wrap our arms around.  But I also attended this rally for so many other reasons.   I have said so many times, and will continue to state, that this environment has awakened the “silence” of many.  By “silence” I don’t just mean folks not stating their mind in words or actions, but “silence” in not truly being aware of how others have lived, been marginalized, while others have been so privileged.    I knew, as my year progressed, that this would not and was indeed not,  my only rally or protest.  I attended a health care reform rally, in an effort to save our health care for millions upon millions, I attended a Black Lives Matter and Interfaith Rally in response to the hatred that was evidence in Charlottesville, and I recently attended the Women’s March.

In February, I actually joined in conversation and planning of a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, Spain.  This is intensely brave for me, as I HATE to fly.   Not only would I be flying almost 10 hours home from Barcelona, I would also be cruising across the Atlantic Ocean from Tampa, Florida to the Mediterranean Sea to Barcelona, Spain.   We would have two weeks at sea, with 4 ports during the two weeks, and 6 full days of total at sea.   The planning and anticipation were exciting, but the apprehension was real as well. 

Also in February …  Happy 64^th Birthday to me!!!!!!!!

Now for March …  the first of March, I participated again in the Triple Crown of Road Races.  I live in the Derby City area, and each year there are three road races and a half-marathon that I participate in by walking in celebration of the Kentucky Derby.  This has been one of my victory celebrations for my continued 70 pound weight loss.   These races are 5K, 10K, 10 miles, and I do the half-marathon 13.1.   I was only privileged to participate in the 5K, 10K, and 10 miler this year, due to being in the middle of the ocean for the half-marathon.   I did miss that half-marathoner this year … I’ll be back on the road in 2018 for that one!!  (To celebrate my 65^th Birthday!!)

On April 7, I celebrated my Third Healthy Birthday!!  On April 7, 2014 I started on my wellness journey.  Now three years later, I celebrate my 70 pound weight loss, and more importantly than the weight, my return to a healthy lifestyle, healthy, normal labs, and very healthy body.   I am forever grateful for this journey.   

Also in April, we made our transatlantic crossing to Spain.   What an adventure, and more importantly, what an awesome group of friends to share this experience.  I know we have bonded in friendship and spirit, and these bonds will not be broken.  We are looking forward to many more adventures over the years.

I could go on throughout the months of 2017, but I won’t bore you with each detail.  

My commitment was to “live boldly.”  I believe God calls each of us to live boldly. Whether it be with large things, where we face a fear, or the small things.  In small things we often touch more lives.  I don’t honestly think there really is anything as a “small thing.”   What may seem small to us, to another may be a life blood.

I love these beautiful lyrics from the song, “We Will Rise Up and Follow” by David Haas

“In the eyes of the stranger, tearful, joyous, or frightened.  In the face of each neighbor, Jesus summons us all.  When we hear words of hatred, spreading fear and false witness, words that cry to be challenged, Jesus summons us all.

We will rise up, rise up and follow.  Christ before and beside us.  Loving pattern to guide us. As we answer the call.”

Live Boldly … give boldly of yourself … love boldly.   My life has been enriched in so many ways.  God has always placed me in the right place, with the right people, at the right time.  It’s beyond time to Pay It Forward.