Ever have those synchronistic moments in your life…you have something on your mind and then it seems like the subject just pops up everywhere? Well that’s been the case for me these past few months. You see I’m heading towards one of those milestone birthdays. Yep, the big 6-0 come November. Let’s just say that heading into this era has been heavily on my mind. Not that aging scares me (well perhaps a little) but I have so much that I want to see and do and it seems like such little time is left! I know some may say…oh, but 70’s are wonderful years too! Well I’m sure they are…but my perspective is that I see my 60’s as years to do the physical things that perhaps my 70’s may not allow…like heading down the Rio Coco. I doubt very seriously if I could do that trip in my 70’s. It also doesn’t help to have a friend just a few months ago pass away at 58 with pancreatic cancer. That really had an impact…not to mention seeing the aging process up close and personal with my mom. So I want to live life now knowing anything could be around the corner. I bet I’m not alone in this either which is why I thought I’d share some of those “synchronistic” moments!
The synchronistic moments started a few months back when I came across Margaret Trudeau’s book The Time of Your Life…Choosing a Vibrant, Joyful Future. She’s adamant that the preparation we do in our 50’s (or 60’s) touches every aspect of our lives…like finances, health, relationships, beliefs and work. (And yes, she’s the mother of that gorgeous Canadian prime minister – Justin.)
She touches on the importance of figuring out our purpose. After retiring at an early age I was smacked up side the head with…who am I now? I know many others have struggled with this too. One day I was a successful corporate executive and the next day I had no purpose because my job was my purpose. Looking back over my 50’s…I did have a purpose, I just didn’t know it at the time. Had I been working I would’ve never been able to give my time to my parents during those years my father struggled with Alzheimer’s. Ms. Trudeau is so right…purpose gives our lives shape and meaning. But she also hits on another important point and that’s to learn to just be. She speaks about how in our younger years we’re often colored with an uncomfortable urgency, a sense of striving, but how this seems to diminish with age with the desire for purpose and meaning increases. The move to NYC brought about the just be with a subsequent “purpose” – the discovery of photography…even if it’s making that image just for myself which is the impetus behind my photography. She goes on to say that the beauty of finding purpose is that it compels, intrigues and consumes. I’ve never read a more accurate statement.
Continuing with Ms. Trudeau’s book…what really hit home was that happiness, fulfillment, adventure, purpose and joy…all are things that make our lives wonderful and meaningful and worth living…hinge on sound health. Even though it may not have been visible, losing my father to Alzheimer’s was a very heavy blow. First, to deal with the stress of him losing his mind…as well as the stress that was placed on my mother…I did what I should not have done. And that was to quit exercising, start mindless eating and drinking way too much alcohol. I just did not have any motivation. All of that resulted in fifteen extra pounds in the course of several years and a high percentage of body fat. As Ms. Trudeau says in her book…the foundation for the rest of our lives is built on the choices we make and the actions we take in midlife. The bottom line…I need to improve my health. So that’s what I’m starting to do. I hired a nutritionist and a personal trainer to get me on the right path for the next six weeks while I have the quality time here in Arizona. I had a wellness exam to get a baseline on those critical numbers…thankfully…good results. So now it’s all up to me. I can’t undo something overnight that took several years to develop great carport kits, but I can certainly get on a healthier path and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Aging also gives us the opportunity to reflect and I’m seeing others doing this as well. Here’s some more synchronistic moments that came my way recently… Take Catherine of Foxglove Lane as an example…she recently posted about aging, but she calls it ripening. Love that. Or take Donna of Living from Happiness who writes about finding my power and shedding my bark…and then there was this article in the Washington Post (It’s no longer okay to be sexist or racist…She asks why it’s still okay to be ageist) that led me to the author Ashton Applewhite. I just ordered her book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. I’ll let you know my thoughts when I finish it. Then another article came into my in-box just a day or so ago…”how did it get so late so soon?” So I’d say the universe is talking…and boy am I listening!
My guess is this topic is on many minds and if any of this resonates with you…or you have thoughts…I’d love to hear and I bet others will too.
xo, gg
~~~
P.S…
*Surely I’m late to the game…but have you heard of the foam roller? My trainer starts my session by using this roller to loosen tight muscles to help improve mobility. Oh my…it feels just like getting a deep tissue massage…it’s the best…specially when I can barely get up and down from being so sore! I’ll provide updates in future postings as to my progress…
*Just finished reading the novel Georgia…a love affair between the artist Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. A read that’s just as provocative as O’Keeffe’s famous flower paintings. Thanks to Margie of Smitten with the Mitten for the recommendation!
*Oh…the image above? The night blooming cereus is blooming again…still relishing in the beauty!
You go girl! I believe we all have the ability to transform ourselves into what we want to be at any age, once we figure out what it is that we REALLY want. Making lifestyle changes takes thought, courage, and commitment. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work, sometimes it takes facing our fears, sometimes it takes becoming healthy selfish so we can make ourselves a priority, and give ourselves permission to follow and live our dreams… Once we know what we really want, and commit to it…, I believe we will take the necessary steps to develop a plan to achieve our goals… Than, all we have to do is follow the plan and stick to it no matter what… We will make time for what is important to us and we will not be completely satisfied until we achieve our goals. Love and hugs, and counting the days… xoxo
So enjoyed your thoughts! Thank you!! xoxo ❤️ And counting the days too!
Very slow internet here in Malta but hopefully it’ll allow me to at least say YOU ROCK!
A reply all the way from Malta! Thanks Ginnie!!! You two enjoy and can’t wait to see all the images!
Robin, I nodded my head YES to every word of this post. Health is most assuredly the foundation of happiness. Work with the personal trainer and you will be amazed at the difference. You are an inspiration to me to get back into the swing of exercise. I’m carrying an extra 10 pounds of stress weight, too! Your photography continues to evolve and watching your creativity blossom is a joy!
Thanks Donna…always feels better when you know you’re not the only one struggling! xo!
I find it a balancing act-the pursuit of health and what is good for the body and training the mind to be content with was is, while continually striving to be better. It can be exhausting. Sounds like you’ve found your mojo and it’s working! You go!!!
It can be exhausting…you’re so right! But this week has already put a spring in my step that I haven’t had…so it’s all good! Thanks for all you comments on some of my past posts!
Yes, yes to the foam roller. We’re friends.
And have you tried the thera-cane? Check it out on Amazon.
We’ve also become good friends.
I love your musings on ripening and shedding our bark:)
It’s a beautiful thing to be given the chance to grow old, I think.
And as my friend Frieda says, who turns 101 this month,
“Jenny, you can be old for a very long time.”
Her eyes twinkle wickedly when she tells it:)
I want to be old
for a very long time:)
-Jennifer
Now the thera-cane is a new one on me too! Thanks for the info. Yes, loved how Donna used “shedding our bark” and Catherine used “ripening”… both wonderful references! Oh Jennifer…I want to be old for a very long time too…only if I have a sound mind and body though! Thanks always for stopping in!
I was thinking something similar recently as synchronistic moments are building….and thanks for the link love. I have not heard of foam roller but look forward to hearing more about it and how you like it.
Thanks Donna for stopping in! I love these meaningful coincidences…means the universe is talking!
Ok – getting old. Honestly I have not really thought about it …yet. I am not as slim as I used to be, my knees make funny sounds and my back is hurting more often than not.
My foam roller are my 4 dogs who are my personal fitness trainers as well. My father passed away more than 20 years ago – living an unhealthy but joyful life. But it made me realise that emotional stability and physical health is a foundation for happiness. I am determined ( as Frieda says) to be old for a very long time.
Adore the light and shade and layers of the picture …so great in b/w.
Gosh…I’m sure I think about it a lot because of my dad’s Alzheimer’s and what that may mean for me…and seeing up close and personal a friend’s death at such a young age…but wonderful that it isn’t even on your mind! I think that’s great! Thanks always for your thoughts and comments!
This wonderful post and cool image take me right back to our Vision & Verb days when we shared in our turns what was happening and important to us on those days.
So, having landed in the middle of my 60’s right now two quotes come to mind –
1) getting old is not for sissies
2) I wish I knew then what I know now
And what we’ve figured out is the best thing we can do is to just keep moving, when we were young it meant as in moving target but now it means walking & sort of yoga.
You are at the start of two important things that will benefit you so much, good for you for being smart enough to hire pros to set you on a good path.
And I absolutely love what our other V&V sister shares from her friend, Frieda, that we can be old for a very long time … I hope to have that wicked twinkle in my eyes as I do it!
xoxo
Doesn’t it though? I think about V&V a lot…we had such a wonderful community of women…
And oh how I’d also like to have known then what I know now. I try to tell the few younger ones in my circle to take care of their skin, the body etc. but it seems to fall on to deaf ears until you actually experience it first hand! The knowledge of growing older, ha! Yes, I too hope to live a very long time…just want my mind to keep up and for my body to do the best it can! Thank you always for your thoughts! xoxoxo
Amen Sister – the great thing about getting older is that we get more mellow, more tolerant and less urgency to get things done. that in the end mean nothing. There is always tomorrow. My reaction when I see myself in the mirror is not, what happened to that attractive woman!!! Yes, the truth is that I thought I was hot stuff in my younger days. Now, I am just thankful for my health, friends and family. I must admit though, that there is still a feeling deep in my soul that I am destined for something bigger before I go to heaven….haa,haa…..Every morning I ask the universe to show me what it is.
Yes I am aware of the foam roller, it hurst like hell when I use it. I also have to lose 12 pounds so let’s do it together. I started at the same time you have so let’s keep track. I am down to two glasses of wine, two of champagne and 45 minutes in the elliptical plus a few minutes of yoga. I can control food intake easily, the wine is another story. Go girl power!!!!!!
I so love all your thoughts my bb sister!! Thanks so much for sharing! Makes me feel I’m not alone in this thing… ❤️ Yes, the wine is a different story! Thank God I can trade fruit for wine! LOL!
First of all I am ashamed to say I’d not heard of Georgia O’Keeffe but a recommendation from you will always be taken seriously by this individual so I’ve got the page open and will be googling her after I’ve written this comment. On the ageing topic. You only have to look at her face, and see the strength of character written on it to wonder how she ever died, but we all will do, of course.
I always think of those glorious words of Dylan Thomas, “Do not gently into the dark night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” (I may have slightly misquoted it but you get the idea ). Anyway, he typifies the sense of life I most admire, and you seem to be a living example of its truth. I always think of Stephen Hawkins whose curiosity and thirst for understanding has seen him overcome physical difficulties to which most of us would succumb. I treasure this life, and my sense of it, and I know you do to. I am moved and inspired by people like yourself, and the good Georgia O’Keeffe and it always helps me rise and challenge the new day. Thank you for helping me do that, and for always being an inspiration 🙂
Ok, I’ve looked up Georgia O’Keeffe and glanced at both her work and her life and what an amazing women she was. I cannot imagine how I’ve managed to remain unaware of her until now. Thank you so much for introducing me to her 🙂
Thanks so much Peter! You always give me such encouragement and inspiration as well! So glad you looked up GO. She’s an amazing woman and artist. I’m going to take in her museum in an upcoming trip to New Mexico next month and will look forward to learning even more about her. I love studying the masters in photography and when I learned more about Alfred Stieglitz I learned about Georgia as well. Then of course the novel…
Thanks so much for sharing…just love what you wrote. But then you are my favorite author! 🙂
First of all I can’t believe that you are almost 60!! If ever anyone encapsulated energy and vitality it is you dear Robin, so go for it. The Ripening word is really helping me to be soft and gentle with myself about this ageing business but I think you are very right about movement and health. We cannot prevent death but we can go there as organically and as naturally as possible. I was going to tie my hair up and away from my face……I seem to be hiding in there……and I saw the tree trunk neck rings of ageing on me…..and I thought there is no going back…….and a new hair do ain’t going to fix anything. Haha!! You just have to laugh……..
PS. I have to walk without my camera more and more to get a PROPER walk btw!!!
Thanks so much Catherine! I really do love your word “ripening” – you’re so right…approach it soft and gentle! And yes, we have to laugh! Still bummed I wasn’t in NYC during your visit…please keep me posted on future ones!
Hi, I came here a few days back but needed time to comment! I hope you are making good progress with your intentions! Ditto! Since my love passed two years ago with pancreatic cancer all of my energy seemed to drain away and the only thing for me was to face one day at a time and just be in that day with whatever was, grief mostly. All of my desires just fled and I ate out of need for energy mostly with some alcohol to aid the sad evenings…. I gave up on my six year practice of yoga too as I was questioning everything, even the merit of yoga! Recently things have been easing a little but because I have some major decisions to be made I have been stressed so I decided this week to return to my yoga practice and sensible eating… What I am getting around to saying is that because I made the choicein my late fifties, probably your age, to take up yoga seriously this has put me in good stead and although I have not practiced for 2 years to my delight I have found I am still very flexible on the mat and I’m soon slipping back into my old routine! So yes cheers to Margaret Trudeau and all of the other inspirational sisters here online. Keep up the good work, spread the message….x
Thank you Susan for your visit. I think of you so often… It’s interesting that you mention the timing of your yoga and that you still have such great flexibility. When I was with my trainer yesterday he commented how strong my heart is…based on all those years of spin classes and road biking! So I’m thrilled that some of the hard works carries forward! I’m so happy to hear that things are easing a little…I know it all takes time…but I can’t wait until you share more on your blog…you’re words and photography inspire me!
My mother in law is 104. She is astounding. Her mind alert, very talkative, just a bit slow on physical ability but she managers. She lived alone up to 4 years ago, then she moved in with her daughter. We all cherish her wisdom & wit. She never ate much or healthy, but always loves sweets. She was always physically active with square-dance & the like. She is a real jewel & I feel so blessed I am still considered her daughter in law even thought her own son died in 1991 of Agent Orange cancer from Nam.
I try to mimic her life, glad I have her as an example. I will listen to your new journey.
Gosh 104!! That’s amazing and even more so that she is still going strong! It’s wonderful to have such strong role models in the family. I feel the same about my mom…a little shaky at times but doing great for almost 90!! Thanks for your visit Pat!
From the number of comments, I’d say the topic resonates. My parents were in their 40’s when they adopted me so I learned about aging and dying (my mom had rheumatoid arthritis and my dad had arteriosclerosis) very early on so I’ve been paranoid about it for a long time. But now at 59, it’s an experience rather than a watching-someone-else thing.
I was just recently in Phoenix visiting a cousin in Del Webb’s Festival retirement community. Life in that place is like living full time in a resort – lovely to have the exercise equipment, classes and pool and beautiful homes and the feeling of community but I’m not sure I like the vanillaness of it. I do want to fit in a few more adventures. And they don’t have a writer’s group! Gasp! Then it was off to downtown Tucson for awhile – quite the opposite place – which I like better but may be a bit too much noise and bustle for me. Perhaps home is best with visits elsewhere when I want a change (or a bit of warmth in the winter).
I’ve had the foam roller for years now but couldn’t figure out how to use it so it sits in the corner of my bedroom. Perhaps I need to get a PT to help me figure it out.
OK. This has been quite a comment. Sometime, we’ll have to chat over coffee… I’m still waiting for that V & V get together!
Oh, yes…the retirement communities within the Phoenix area…nice, but you’re right! Very vanilla! The next time you are in the area give me a shout! Perhaps one day the stars will align! Thanks for visiting Maery!
(as you might know I have a hate/love relationship with internet, so I waited until we were home again) This to the comment of the slow internet in Malta 🙂
I am catching up….
oops… the big 6-0… well I will hit the 6-2 this year and I am proud of it. And yes I know what you mean. When you get older you have more time to look back and you have an overview of ‘what have I done’…. the danger here is that we start comparing… to what, to whom, why??? We are all individuals, we all lived under unique circumstances. One works to live and the other lives to work…. sometimes there are no options and we have to go with the flow. If that means we don’t have time for relatives, I know that hurts, but what can you do. Sometimes there is no time, you cannot say in the most important meeting of your career ‘hey boys cut it short for I want to have dinner with my husband’…. for that is NOT the answer they want to hear…
All I can say is do the things you want to do, live now and don’t postpone. You never know what will happen and if it does not happen then it was not meant to happen.. Maybe I think to simple, maybe it is the path of least resistance, but maybe that is the way we live the longest.
Good for you that you have the personal trainer to give advice and get you started with ‘living healthy’. I can admit that loosing weight and getting more energy does wonders. Don’t do any crash diets, those are bad for the heart. Do it slowly and take it one day at the time, give it one year and you will be surprised….
Good Luck.
LOVE and HUGS and I know you will overcome the 6-0 🙂
Love this post! Synchronicity? I totally relate! feel like my entire life has been filled with synchronistic moments, times when you know with all of your heart that the universe is speaking directly to you. How very cool that these moments are popping up in your life and that you’re not only aware of them but making positive changes in your life because of them. You go girl! My dad died young and every year I mark another birthday beyond his expiration date I thank God and also, if I’m being honest, I give a little sigh of relief. I typically try to live in the moment and will never allow myself to be defined by a number and yet there is this new sense of vulnerability I’ve been wrestling with this year. I too, just lost another friend to cancer. She was only 54. Another friend of mine didn’t live to see 49. Add to that my mother-in-law recently being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Certainly, those kinds of impactful events can make you wonder whether your own days are numbered. Until I remind myself that they are. All of our days are numbered. We just don’t know when our last day will come. Thankfully, it’s the not knowing that always brings me back to the way I try to live my life – in the moment. That is the gift. The worry, the what-ifs, only drag us down. Stay present. Keep engaging. Keep going. Enjoy this year of self-discovery and self-love and celebrate every single victory big and small. xox-M
P.S. I love my foam roller! I’ve been using one for more than ten years. Works great to reset your back. If ever I get a stiff neck I lie on it and it really seems to help.
P.S.S. Going to pick up a copy of Georgia, asap!
P.S.S.S. The coolest people are born in ’56 😉
Oh yes, it resonates! I’m also amped up to paint and learn and effect positively! And, we can hope for the best:)