Inspiration

You Add Color!

Backstory

It was one of the most touching compliments I ever heard. He turned to her and said, “You add color to my life.” What a delightful place to have in this world; being the person who adds color to the life of another.

You Add Color

Of course, you have to be careful with those people. They tend to color outside the lines. Their idea of being colorful may be another’s idea of being naughty or a bit too bold.

It’s the price you have to be willing to pay, I think, to have color in your life. You could go with plain vanilla, people who are ordinary and stick to the rules and will never rip the tag off that pillow under penalty of law.

Oh, but the joy that can be inspired by those who add color to life. The audacious friend who may show up in vintage garb; the child whose curiosity may result in minor explosions or major confrontations, the spouse who thinks nothing of throwing her arms around her loved one, right out in public when she is moved to do so.

They make life fun, these daredevils who sparkle. And when their deeds are well-meaning and honest and sincere, well, they often lead to lessons from which we can learn and maybe even become a little more colorful ourselves.

P.S. The colorful person in my life is my sister Karyn; a positive thinker, curious and willing to explore the unknown. She dragged me along at times until we’d wind up giggling together. Other times, I bailed her out! But never, ever was it dull. This frisky redhead kept us all in a tizzy. She still does!

[#500b]

Open the Next Door

Backstory

It’s natural to dislike change, especially when it takes you out of your comfort zone. Changes we face today seem evolutionary and progressive; often frightening. Accommodating change may take a new way to create a password or require elaborate transformation. Flexibility is necessary just to keep pace.

Open the Next Door

When one door closes, another one opens. I truly believe that and have seen it come true so many times. I’m at the point now where I can hardly wait to find out what will be around the next corner. Blessing, challenge, demand, new person to make a change in my life; it’s all an adventure to be cherished and enjoyed.

There’s a country song that “thanks God for unanswered prayers.” We are SO SURE that we know exactly what is right for us. The right companion, the right job, the right family size. Then the universe comes along with its own ideas – and we find that they are so much better than what we had in mind.

My beloved husband once told me a secret. He said, “I really wanted to have a special someone in my life. I knew what she would look like, and sound like, and I told God all about it and asked him to send her to me.

Instead of sending me who I wanted, God sent me who I needed.”

So when the door closes, don’t get stuck in what you wanted in the past.

Instead, reach out and turn the knob on the next door before you. Be open to the possibilities and be willing to take a second look.

What you WANT may have escaped. What you NEED might just be right before your eyes.

P.S. There is strength in the belief that all things happen for a reason. Sometimes we discover the reason; sometimes we just have to go with the flow. In either case, a kind and gentle approach will usually orchestrate the best outcome.

[Show #645]

Reinventing the Rest of Our Lives

Backstory

It was a meeting of businesswomen in Florida.  They were all beautifully dressed, vivacious entrepreneurs.  Most were over 40 or 50, and they were networking and having fun.  Introductions revealed that many were starting anew; using past experiences or new skills to make their way in the world.  It reminded me of this story, written some ten years ago, that surely applies today as well.

Reinventing the Rest of Our Lives

I’ve been reading a book titled, “Inventing the Rest of Our Lives.” It’s for women in second adulthood.

What’s that, you ask? Well, it’s for women over 50 who want to make the most of the rest of their lives. They may have fulfilled the role of wife, mother, and grandmother, and now they’re looking for more.

We already know that our generation is stronger, healthier, and more vital than any that has come before. Did you also know that our brains experience a post-50 growth spurt that may make us better at judgment calls?

Women in particular are putting this new-found vitality and judgment to work for them. They’re changing careers, starting work for the first time, going into business, or leaving one for more enticing endeavors.

By 50, they figured they paid their dues and owed no one. They’re young enough to do anything, go anywhere and they are. They’re taking cruises, going back to school, taking up new interests, or sports, or physical fitness. They’re selling and buying online and looking at vintage. They’re also mentoring, becoming role models for young women. They’re volunteering, getting involved in politics.

One thing is sure, we’re not ready for the rocking chair. Stand aside. We’re becoming a force of nature.

P.S.  My daughter Lisa joined this rank of achievers–over–age–50 when she graduated from college this year – some 40 years after high school. Fully occupied by a demanding, full-time job and family, she persevered through course after course, gaining momentum as she went along. So proud of her for having the courage, carving out the time, creating the incentive, and maintaining the determination to complete and benefit from this learning. Lisa Thomson, Class of 2023.

[Show #216]

Transition From Youth

Backstory

Do you ever find yourself rhyming without even thinking about it? When that happens to me, I go with the flow. Most of my attempts wind up crumpled on the floor. But this one seemed to fly. Something different this week. Please try it on for size.

Transition From Youth

I look around at youth today
So little do they know
They think that they have mastered things
While we’ve turned sad and slow

Their life – a giant picture book
Where nothing has been written
They’ve not known grief or been in love
Or barely even smitten

It takes a lot of travelin’ days
To reach this age and place
To trade in youth for hair of white
And corrugated face

There’s less time left
And what there is
Goes rushing by so fast
Until the time has come
When life is mostly in the past.

But realize in time that’s left
That every single day
Presents an opportunity
For love and joy and play

So I will keep my fantasies
And write and speak and giggle
And put up with the parts that hurt
Or cramp or crack or jiggle

‘Cause life is truly precious
A daily gift from God
Not to sing this miracle
Would indeed be odd

Give thanks for what has come before
And too what lies ahead
For friends and kids and memories
And fine red wine and bread

Let’s party on through this life phase
Enjoying every minute
For you will only get from life
As much as you put in it.

By Annette Petrick for Consider This.

P.S. With an attitude to match our aptitude, we don’t have to worry about transitioning from youth. We can keep our boyish charm and our girlish flirtation and just add the years on, as they come, enjoying each day for its own worth.

[Show #380]

Rich Follett

Backstory:

Rich Follett performs easy-on-the-ear acoustic folk music. His song list includes familiar tunes from the 1920s to the present as well as his original compositions, which offer insightful lyrics and inviting melodies you will want to hear over and over again. Rich is a public school teacher who also pursues his interests as a professional actor, playwright, and director.

Rich Follett:

We all seem to be reaching for answers. We don’t like the things that are happening. We want things back the way they were.

That will never happen. The typewriter will never return. You’ll never dial to use the telephone. Appliances no longer have simple knobs that read “on” or “off.”

There are apps for every conceivable purpose. Dancing is now calisthenics to music. There is fear and stress in the world. There is danger, never before felt.

It makes some people unhappy and turns us whiney. It causes others to reach into their soul and find strength.

My friend, Rich Follett, reached like that and this is what he decided, and I quote: “That which is beyond our control is likely to remain so. What remains to us is to continue looking for opportunities to use our artistry and humanity to bring beauty into this weary world. When I die, it will be with a psalm on my lips, love in my heart, gratitude in my soul, and a spirit attuned to hope. These things can never be taken from us unless we release them; I am one who will never let go!”

May you know the peace of well-being and face tomorrow with love, understanding, and hope. Like Rich does.

P.S. A customer purchasing Rich’s music from Amazon stated, “Rich Follett’s melodies are not only soothing to listen to, his lyrics speak right to your heart with feelings only he seems to be able to put to words. His voice is like velvet, and people just want to stop and hear it.”

[Show #626]

My Prayer

Backstory:

The Law of Attraction (Teachings of Abraham) has gained popularity in the current cultural trend toward new consciousness. A reader shared this quote.

My Prayer:

Sharon sent this message in. She said it is a quote. I think it is a prayer. What do you think? It goes like this –

“Today may there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have been given and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.”

How beautiful. Thank you, Sharon, for sharing those thoughts.

To internalize those concepts can bring us peace and tranquility. What a wonderful state of being.

And no one else can create it for you. Only YOU can bring it about, by accepting who you are and where you are at this moment and using what you have to make the world a better place.

It’s completely doable, by simply opening your heart and mind, accepting the divine wisdom that will pour in, and then sharing it with others.

P.S. If you have the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.

[Show # 462]