What's Your Word?

Every year I select a word to focus on.

The first year I chose "success". I created a little jar and put each success on a little piece of paper. At the end of the year I read them.

• I completed my bachelor's degree with a 4.0 GPA
• I lost 18 pounds
• I had my first paid photo shoot
• We got all our bills caught up
• Our home got "De cluttered" - a liberating experience

Just to name a few.

The next year I chose prosperity (we received an unexpected $12,000 check that year) and the year following, momentum. That year started great - finished my Master's degree that year. But in reflection I also saw my momentum reverse. It was that reflection that made me consider why this was and how to reverse the course. The idea led me to the year of the phrase - "Forward with intention".

Life does throw punches and the curves in the road can slow the journey. But it's those moments that we can reflect on the person we are and who we are becoming. We can embrace the trajectory or change the direction completely. We do have a choice. I learned in that year that forward may not necessarily be the direction we think we should go. It sometimes means taking the opportunities in front of us and embracing them. And intentional means that every moment in that journey brings unexpected treasures if we pay attention.

I was so excited by the revelation that I chose "Discovery" for the next word. So what exactly can a 60 something ol' lady discover? Well there is plenty. I discovered. I discovered my health wasn't as good as I thought, but I also discovered I could do something about it. And I discovered I loved training people. And that discovery has led to a business!

So now that you have the history of "the word", lets talk about the word of 2018. I chose "Adventure" and my goals were to "be open to new things and move out of my comfort zone". And move I did. I left a job that was detrimental to my mental health and causing problems with my physical health, and now am working at a place I look forward to going to - a job I honestly love. I make less money, but that'll be another adventure! I've changed my life in so many ways. Seeing a psychologist helped me to learn more about who I am and what I need - and that it's ok to give my needs priority.

So what will 2019 bring? What word should I focus on? I think I'll go with the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams". The dictionary defines the verb, dream, to consider a  possibility; to imagine. And so here's to a new year of possibilities - a new year to imagine...

Dream.

What will your word be?

Sneezeleak

I am an aging woman.  I am a member of the group known as "The Baby Boomers".  I am honestly enjoying getting older - telling people my real age.  I also find the changes in my body to be, well, interesting?

Only an older, menopausal woman will understand sneezeleak.  It's that little dose of incontinence that comes when we cough hard or sneeze or even, sometimes, laugh!  Ack!!  What the heck it this??

I'm not ready for depends.  Not by a long shot.  My ego will simply not allow it.  But what do I do here?  I had a bad cough and went to the doctor and found my self in the corner crossing my legs and clamping down as hard as I could to no avail!  You know, that "Sneeze" posture?  Geez.  What do I do now?

I tried those new things that are out that are supposed to put pressure on the urethra to prevent "leakage".  They look like a tampon.  They hurt.  They made it hard to go when I was really going.  And they didn't work. 

Perhaps this is TMI (Too Much Information), but why are we so hesitant, or flat out opposed, to talk about these thing?  Oddly, it happens to most of us!  It's made me acutely aware of just how self-conscious we are about our bodies.  We prefer to pretend we are perfect, with no odd goings on at all, when just about everyone else around us is doing the same thing!

I propose a challenge.  Let's talk!  What is going on with your aging self and what are you doing about it?  Talk here - talk to a friend - But let's get out there!  Am I the only one that finds these new experiences both interesting and frustrating and in some ways, humorous?  Our bodies are amazing, just how they are at this moment.  Our aging issues are badges of honor that we've made it this far!

Life is short.  We are all young, then we all are old.  Old is not a negative thing.  Old is part of the process. Old is beautiful!  I have a sign in my office that says, "Never regret getting older.  It's a privilege denied many".  It's a privilege I embrace.

This is my mom, a few years before she died.  She was not given the privilege of getting older.  She died at 50.

I am thankful for my aging self.  Sneezeleak and all.  I am thankful for the experiences in my life, memories I would not have had I not lived all the years that I have.  I am thankful for today and treasure the moments.  Tomorrow is promised to no one - Today is a treasured gift.  Don't let it slip away.

This is me and my grandson.  If I were not getting older, I would not have this amazing young man in my life.  He is a treasure!

What is your Music?

I drive to work - a long drive.  I'm lucky if it's under 40 minutes.  That's a lot of time to sit and look out the window.  I listen to music - news radio (I really like Tim and Terri on KPAM).  But if time really goes by quicker when you age (and yes, science shows our brains change the way we perceive time), then why am I wasting over six hours a week?

A co-worker shared a free app with me for my phone - Overdrive. It allows you to borrow audio books from your local library.  So I did it.  The first two books I borrowed are by Wayne Dyer (one of my favorite inspirational speakers).  The titles are 10 Secrets to Success and Inner Peace and Appying the 10 Secrets to Success and Inner Peace.

I only started listening yesterday, so I'm on number 4 - But number 2 is the one that really resonated with me -

The 2cnd secret is "Don't die with the music still in you".  He uses music as the analogy of our personal passion and purpose.  His discussion is discovering the passion inside you, that thing that makes you soar and grow - that thing that makes us feel like we are truly reaching our potential and purpose. Our music.

This got me to thinking.  I'm in the final quarter of my life.  Do I even know what my music is?  If I don't know the music, how can I get it out?  I've reflected on my life and the things that make me feel wonderful about doing them.  I love to sing.  I feel in my element when I stand in front a crowd and belt out a song.  Dr. Dyer suggests you can even make a living at doing what you're passionate about.  But I'm not a song writer and no one wants to pay you to continually sing someone else's songs.  I love to take pictures - I love to write - I love to learn.  So what really is my passion and how can I make a living doing it?

I have decided this will be my week of reflection.  To really look inside and find my music.  To really understand how that music defines me and my purpose.

And I challenge you to do the same.  Leave me a comment and tell me how you are reaching inside. Are you in?