reinventing you Archives - CONSIDER THIS Radio Show with Annette Petrick

Back Story

How were your teenage years? Were you the cheerleader or football hero? Did you hate wearing glasses? Bleach your teeth? Did you study or glide through classes on pure luck? What things pop up when you place yourself back in your youth? We explore those times in this story.

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Coming Into Your Own – #218

What do you remember about your youth? I remember being a sponge; soaking up everything around me, trying out different styles.

In early times, the sponge soaked up someone else’s look, mannerisms and values. I wanted to look like this movie star, or sound like that rock star.

Then do you remember coming into your own? What age was that for you? When you took control and decided for yourself how you wanted to look, sound, think, love, behave, distinctly from those around you.

That coming of age was a wonderful revelation. When you actually drop the adaptations and created yourself. Here you are, years later. Are you still that person from your early adulthood?

Or have you reinvented yourself more times over the years? If there’s anything you don’t like about what you created, change it. There’s still time. Every day you live is a chance to get better, a chance to change.

Be a sponge again. Try out new habits and new looks. Take up new past-times or passions. Soak up the joy of the day and make it your own.

P.S.

We’ve been wintering at The Villages in Central Florida this year. This golf cart community is for active adults over 55. There are over 2,000 groups and clubs where people share interests. Recreation centers host shows, concerts, lectures, games and sports. Everly week, a 48 page newspaper is published telling what’s going on each day.

Choices include a wide variety of ways to donate time, money and leadership. There is even an annual exhibit where non-profit organizations present their mission and troll for volunteers. If there was ever a place to find a new passion, this is it.

In your town, there is also a source for discovering volunteer opportunities. Your next passion may be waiting for you right there.

Show #218

Backstory

It was a meeting of business women in Florida. They were all vivacious, beautifully dressed 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.

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Reinventing the Rest of Our Lives #216

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

P.S.

Did you notice all the white outfits worn by female legislators at the State of the Union address last month? It was a deliberate optic to call attention to the number of women now serving as elected national leaders. They were successful in making their point. Let’s watch to see if they make as much impact on smoothing the chaos in DC these days. Welcome, ladies, to the real world of politics.

[Show #216]