Birthdays

hehehe this made me chuckle.

Today is my birthday.

and  I'm not sure how I should be reacting to this little fact of life.  I certainly don't feel that old -- most of the time.  (Unless you count AFTER a workout. haha)  I know in my mind, I'm certainly not 56.  I still talk to people I knew in high school, and when that happens, it's like being 18 all over again!

There are times when in my mind, I'm still in my 30s and I have ... all the time in the world to do what I want to accomplish.  But then there are the other moments, the late night moments, when I realize that my mortality is something that needs to be considered.

This is a strange age.  It's a long time until retirement, and yet if one hasn't done any planning, it will sneak up so very faaaassst!

So, after birthday wishes from my family, my BFF, and even a few emails from companies who seem to know my birth date, my son sprung for Chipotle for dinner ... my fav meal, I even topped it with the guac!  Then a pretty hanger to hang a couple of pots on the wall for planting something ..... not sure where I'll hang it, but I have all weekend to come up with ideas!

W

hen it comes to birthday advice, I like this quote:

“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”
― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

Smiling

“Letting go means to come to the realization that 

some people are a part of your history, 

but not a part of your destiny.” 

― Steve Maraboli

This quote always resonates with me.  We all have people who have been in our lives, and we know that there comes a time when the path we're on doesn't go in the same direction as others in our lives, and we need to let go.  Sometimes, that's not an easy thing to do!  But in order to move ahead, we can't hold on to those who hold us back.

That doesn't mean that you can't reconnect with them, to keep in touch from time to time.  That's what I did today -- I saw an old friend in a chat room and connected for just a bit, caught up on what's taking place in each others' lives.  I don't make connections with people that I meet very often.  Most of the time, you start a conversation with someone and it doesn't go anywhere.  Me, I prefer to have good conversations.  There are men I chat with who prefer to have conversations about certain body parts -- and most times I think "Grow UP!  that's what 15 year old boys think about, not real men!" Sometimes I'm even brave enough to say that to some.  *laughs*  I mean, its so boring for me to answer questions about boobs, or someone's libido.  At my age, I don't give a crap.  Capture me with some great thoughts, philosophical ideas, music we have in common, places we've been, sports -- its not hard to have a convo!  Or is that a dying art??

There are a select few, however, who can do the convos, impress me with thoughts or ideas, have something in common to keep the conversation going.  And that always, ALWAYS, captures my interest.  Those kind?  I call "old souls".   And that is the sort of man I'm attracted to!



Today's convo was reconnecting with a man in Sweden in his late 20s who is definitely an old soul.  He gets it, and when we sit down to chat, it goes on and on.  Too bad the time difference is so huge, makes it hard to find a time to connect!  He sounds happy, enjoyed his Holidays ... but best of all, after almost a year of no contact... he still remembered me!


I'm smiling .... all the way to dreamland tonight!

Thank You!!

Real Life

Alfred D'Souza: 
"For a long time it had seemed to me
that life was about to begin -- real life. 
But there was always
some obstacle in the way,
something to be got through first,
some unfinished business,
time still to be served,
a debt to be paid.
Then life would begin. 
At last it dawned on me
that these obstacles were my life."



How often do we assume that once we get past this, over that, put something behind us, that our real life, the life we wish for, can begin?   When in fact, we're living our real life right at this moment.  Every minute of every day is a slice of time we will never get back.  Are you living life to the fullest?  the life you want to live?

I'm full of these kinds of thoughts lately, because my dad has cancer, stage iv, metastatic, but he's trying to have some chemo, it will extend his life.  Some.  IF it works.  But the whole quality over quantity comes to mind when I think of cancer and what chemo does.  Its all about weighing odds.  Taking chances.

But the bottom line is living life! 

I wonder at times if there isn't something he wants to do, some place or some people he wants to see.  He would never EVER ask -- he wouldn't ever want to put anyone to any trouble.  But that's not the point; people would gladly put aside their own for the time being.   Ahhh.  I'm babbling on about something that I can't change.  But I can contemplate my own demise and make sure that I'm living the life I'm meant to live.

So many people say they'll follow their bliss, live their dream after ......  well, after whatever obstacle seems to be in their way.  I keep asking why?  Why are you waiting?  What is so tough about that obstacle you see as a huge boulder, and only seems like a small stick to someone else?

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Don't let obstacles stand in your way of really living life.
Most of the time, what you see as obstacles are imaginary.
True, making changes often changes other things around you.
But everyone deserves to be happy, to have opportunities,
to create a life of their own choosing.
Do what makes you happy.
Do it now.
You don't have forever.
Live life.

A few good things...

Ahhh, the benefits of being over 50, single and happy.  Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about relationships, or lack of them, as I get older.  I've been married three times, and after all that, I feel I know quite a bit about myself, and what I like and don't like in a partner.  Living on my own for eight years now, I think I've become accustomed to having my own way!   So I've listed a few good things about being over 50 and single..... 

Know who you are, spend time rediscovering what makes you tick - from the food you like best to the places you enjoy visiting.

Lose the anger over the past:  Forgive, forget and move on.

If you go full tilt at life and take every opportunity it throws at you, you'll never feel sad or alone.

You'll enjoy life more if you're in good health.  Exercise keeps you looking good and releases mood-boosting endorphins so you feel good too.  I try for an hour a day.

Fill your life with things that make you happy and people you love. The key is to get out of the mindset that you need a man to complete you!

Less housework - Even today, most men expect a certain amount of looking after, whether that means cooking, cleaning after them or washing their clothes.

No squabbles about sex - Sex can often be a bone of contention in marriages, as few couple agree on how much sex they want, so one partner always has too much or too little and can end up being resentful.

No need to compromise - Just think, you can always have the food you like, watch the TV shows you prefer and sleep on the side of the bed you want to be on!

Society used to have different ideals about single women; I can remember growing up people talking about spinsters and old maids.... now its just a card game! ... and we can be free to choose how we want to live.  So go out there and make it a good one!