AgingGratefully

I remember my grade 2 teacher embarrassing me because I raised my hand when she said “spell house”. I spelled horse on the black board. I was so shy and nervous but I thought she was one of the “safe” teachers who I could trust so I could take a chance. No such luck.

Another teacher in grade 8 made fun of me for not knowing a math answer.

I know these teachers are still around because my son was made fun of in his science class in grade nine. He was also painfully shy at the time. Now we know it as anxiety.

“Youth is wasted on the young”. If only I had my Superpower of speaking up for myself when I was little. I think at this age I am making up for lost time…speaking out for others…not accepting that treatment as normal.

I remember everyone getting excited over the icecream truck coming after school. I was excited too but I was also scared because I had to ask for my own icecream. That really stretched my limits. And so…I overindulged my kids when the ice cream truck came. A metaphor for giving the 2 shy kids a voice of their own.

Allow kids to grow and learn at their own pace. If you dont get “shy”, it doesnt mean its wrong. Read the book “Quiet”. Quiet people are an untapped resource of thinkers.

But above all these experiences made me mindful of others and how I treat them. School can really suck for alot of kids. Kind teachers are a real asset. They are out there.

The hardest times warrant the greatest celebrations of life’s successes.

In life hard times suck. Going through them, being in them, it stinks. Emotional ups and downs stink. But hindsight is amazing. Exploring what took place, how you’ve changed, what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown.

The negative times just bring you that much closer to being able to be grateful and to celebrate the small things, the good things.

The negative times give you more empathy, more kindness and more compassion for others.

I have always felt life is great even when it’s not. I gain a new appreciation for what I have what I can do. I can make others happy. I can bake. I can make a tent and read under the sheets.

Ha! Despite the negative there are infinite reasons to be grateful.

I know what I know. But I’m aware there are things I dont know. I just dont know what I dont know.

I am sure of my convictions, my opinions. I am sure of my right and wrong.

I have very low patience for those who dont.

I let my impatience show but temper it with apologies.

At my age, what I know matters, alot, to me.

I am more adamant, more convinced.

The best part about this is I also know there is room to learn and grow. I wish I could know everything, have an opinion on everything….

Am I always right. No way. Do I apologize. For sure. But boy will I fight it out. I think I might be getting a little too fraught when I see an injustice happening. My perceived injustice that is. I am vocal …like saying to a store manager ” you need to stop talking now” when he’s being disrespectful and unjust to me. Is that stepping over the line? Or, is it me not giving a shit and sticking to my opinion…..rudeness or empowerment – apparantly it’s a fine line. But one I get a kick out of walking on.

Confidence with conviction. Love the feeling💥☯️☮

Opportunity and Strength

One of my new favorite quotes.

“Lost youth”. What the hell is lost youth. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. It’s someone elses turn to make the memories of youth, the regrets, the joy.

The strength associated with my age is phenomenal. I feel I can do anything. Speak my mind, be the whole me (and there are lots of me’s).

Learning from youth means your never loose it. You take it with you. It’s part of your being.

This stage of life means you do not care what others think. You know what you want and you know how to get it. That is not a part of youth.

” If I knew then what I know now”.

No regrets. Only new memories. New friends. New reasons to laugh and celebrate.

Never in a million years could I predict I would be where I am now. We still struggle. Sometimes seemingly unbearably. But behind it all is the Strength and Opportunity that can only come with age.

Enjoy your youth. I have a rejuvenated youth!! Old age youthfulness. 💚

If you’re like me you think “what a stupid word”, used by the innately positive people who have never struggled with anything, ever.

Well I recently changed my mind about that word.

Just as practicing gratitude can built up your resiliency, so too can positivity.

Let’s use a different word. I still dont like that one. Maybe the power of positive thinking.

I have a long time friend who is innately positive who has always said “think positive” in tough situations. Sometimes I wanted to smash her one. Never thought it was that simple.

But along with being grateful comes a positive ooutlook. You become more able to ” turn on a switch” to putting a positive spin on things. And yes it’s very helpful for your internal dialogue.

I am not saying thinking positive gives you the desired outcome or wish. I’m saying that a positive overall attitude builds up a “buffer” of sorts in adverse situations.

I dont take this attitude lightly. It’s not just a word. It is a part of the process of reflection, of reward for doing well , for coping, for having come through rough times.

I deserve a positive, grateful attitude. I’ve earned it. Most women probably have if they are over 50. Use “possitivity” to your advantage. Then it’s to the advantage of others because it becomes a ” shared” experience.

So thank you to my long time friend for assisting along the way with your “positivity”. I no longer want to smash you one.😀💜

Sitting around on holiday thinking about life. This song by Sheryl Crowe rings true. Some days are harder than others, some are better. Each day can have good and bad “winding roads” . You never know what’s ahead. But there are some things I have become sure of:

• If you can quit smoking for 10 years you can do anything you set your mind to.
• If you can go two months without simple carbs, you can go a lifetime.
• Sugar is beautiful, I miss it.
• I love nature. I need it.
• I need to be creative
• Seeing a therapist was the smartest thing I ever did. I highly recommend it if you are sad, angry and/or depressed, burnt out etc.
• Dogs are amazing
• Happiness is achievable if you put in the work.
• Actually, anything is achievable really!
• Life is great and part of what makes it so great is the “winding road”.
• I really want to drive again and need a car. Anything is achievable 🤩

I do alot of deep thinking on holiday. My mind feels free to think about whatever i wants to. Needs, wants, likes dislikes. I think it is important to take time alone, to slow down and just “be”. I have come to realize this significance in my middle age. Ha!

Never in a million years did I think these acts could become so easy.

Aging Gratefully is what this quote is all about.

I appreciate everything I have. Is it perfect, no. Will I strive to make it even better, of course.

But the here and now, everyday is a bonus. I am content.💚

This is time of my life is the icing on the cake.