I always feel like I'm tooting my own horn when I post places I can be seen in the media, but....dang! The New York Times and now Fox News? Pretty cool! My life. If you would have told me three years ago this is what my life would look like, I couldn't in a million years have imagined it to be true. I never dreamed I would have even LIVED three more years, let alone have a successful blog and all these amazing opportunities. God has been so good to me. My family and friends have been so good to me. YOU all have been so good to me. Thank you, thank you thank you!
This picture crossed my FB page not too long ago and it threw me back in time. My parents bought their first, and only home in December 1960. My Grandmother bought me a bedroom set when we moved in. She made curtains with a poodle border. We had an old console cabinet around from a TV and Grandmother used the leftover fabric and covered that cabinet to create a vanity for me. I can see it in my mind. When it was done, mom took me to the Plaid Stamp Store and we got this same trash can by trading in books of stamps. I still remember where that stamp store was.
I had the most delightful day yesterday. A friend came over early and we attempted to exercise. She has access to exercise videos online and we thought, "Hey, let's do an easy yoga class!" Yeah, right. We got to the "plank" and I yelled "I hate you!" at the computer screen and we both collapsed on the floor laughing. Ok, let's try stretching. Yep, we could stretch with the best of them!
Time is a slippery sucker. Just when you think you have a handle on everything...you think you have things figured out...you realize how fluid it is. It's delicate and as fragile as crystal. Yet it's flexible and tenacious.
There are moments that you cannot wait to let go of. When someone has rubbed salt in an open wound, it is so difficult to send that person love and light. But, I have found, that is the only way to release the tentacles of the past and live free of their grasp. When you mark the first angelversary of your loved one's passing, as my new friend and a fellow Rancher did yesterday, you are released from the bondage of the fog and given a small reprieve...much like coming up for air while being swept down the rapids of a raging river. It's only when you get past the roughest section that you realize there's more to go. That's the bitter sweetness of that moment in time. There is more passed than what lies ahead. But...I'm here to tell her...it passes. It passes.
This was a really good week. I worked out hard enough to see results but not so hard as to burn out or cause injury. I listened to my body and took a day off when I needed to. It's a delicate balance between pushing yourself and knowing when to back off. AND...making yourself keep going. I can get lazy if I take a day off because then I think maybe two would be better and before you know it, I'm back to square one.
Repeat after me, "I am worthy of _________." Fill in the blank with whatever comes to your mind. If we spoke to others the way we speak to ourselves, we wouldn't be long for this world, I imagine. We are bullies. We beat ourselves up WAY too often. And yes, I'm talking to you, Ms. Sixty-Something who says you're past all that now. You know deep down, there's still that nagging little witch who's been there since you were 12. You can't fool me. Now, maybe you've toned her down 1000% and that's great. I know I have. But she still pipes up every once in awhile with something totally inappropriate.
The Sisters on the Fly Blog just posted my latest story. This branded series is all about the transitions we go through in life and how we get b-older as we get older. I amaze myself with my boldness. As Annie Lamott says, "Age has given me something I've been looking for my whole life. It's given me me." Why were we so timid in our self acceptance? Why did we cling to toxic relationships in order to keep from being alone? What were we afraid of? I know this sounds bad, but this is the most delightful time of my life. That isn't to say I have forgotten my loss or that I don't miss Mr. Virgo. What it DOES say is, this is the life I've been given. It is a gift...one that I do not take lightly. I am free AND I am experienced...a beautiful, brazen place to live.
We never meet someone by accident. People are placed on our path for a reason...to exchange information. To give...or receive...or both. Recently, I have seen God actively working in my life. He's throwing things and people down in front of me almost faster than I can pick them up.
A month ago, when I was contemplating my place on this grief journey and considering how I want to proceed, I made the decision to get fit. Boom! Paul came by way of a friend. Paul is a personal trainer. My daughter is on a fitness journey and just started Advocare. Boom! Paul uses Advocare. I decided to do the 24 Day Challenge with my daughter. Boom! Paul hooked me up with a distributor. I've had opportunities presented that are exactly what I need. I've met people that have the knowledge or skills I need. This isn't serendipity or circumstance. There's no way this isn't divinely orchestrated.
Wow...what a week! Every single one of you should take a break from FB for a few days. I admit, I peeked a couple of times. My granddaughter was out of state at a swim meet. I got a smarmy message from some guy I had to take care of. And even a sabbatical can't stop Fitness Friday. It was great to be away from any negative influence but I sure missed all your positive energy. You're my daily dose of Vitamin LOVE!
Just a very brief stop to encourage you to participate in Fitness Friday! I've been hiking and walking, weights, resistance bands, taking steps two at a time, lunge walking, squats, and ran down and back up 242 steps at Blackwater Falls. I carried a 5 pound weight with me in the car and worked my upper body as I drove the straight stretches. (I wouldn't recommend this on the turns.) While I was on cruise control, I tightened my tummy muscles and marched my legs up and down. You can fit movement in anywhere...and I guarantee it will make you feel better!
