Is 60 Better than Dead?

30 October 2009

For years I’ve said about growing older, “It’s better than the alternative, as far as we know.”

I always added that last qualifying part because who knows, maybe life is better after we’re dead.

Although the idea of turning 60 has troubled me, as I get closer and closer to it, I get more used to it.

Most days it’s no big deal.

But then there are the moments when I just don’t want to be sixty.

I’ll hear myself thinking just that, “I don’t want to be sixty!” Almost like a three year old having a temper tantrum.

I believe our words and thoughts are very powerful. Maybe I can’t cause my I-hope-premature-death by those words but I prefer not to take any chances.

So I remind myself that as far as I know turning 60 is better than the alternative. Since the only way I know to not turn 60 is to not be alive.

And I love my life and being alive.

Even if it means I’ll turn 60.

Are you dreading 60? Delighted? Somewhere in between? Click on Comments below, scroll down to the form, and write away.

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Don’t Call Me “Elder!”

27 October 2009

Don’t use the word “elder” when you’re speaking to or about me. Please!

Yes, I know some cultures respect and revere their elders. But I didn’t grow up in one of those cultures.

To me, that word creaks and groans. It makes me cringe. It makes me feel old. Horrors!

The same goes for “senior” so you can skip that one too.

What do I want to be called? I don’t know.

Maybe we can make up a word. Any ideas?

I’d love to hear how you feel about these words. Extra points for making up new words. Click on Comments, scroll down, and write away.

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The Boss Still Rocks, Why Not You?

26 October 2009

Photo Courtesy of Peter Jan Beemster http://www.flickr.com/photos/beemster/3587102770/

Bruce Springsteen turned 60 a few weeks ago.

In the months before his birthday he put on more than 50 concerts in Europe and the U.S.

I’ve seen him live twice and would love to see him again. (Hey Bruce, could you add Seattle to your tour?) He puts on a wonderfully long, energized, and energizing concert. The kind of show you wouldn’t think a 30 year old could do, much less a 60 year old.

But he’s still doing it. With no signs of letting up.

How can 60 be old if The Boss is 60 and still rocking as much as ever? He’s a Savoring Your Sixties Star.

As Donna Jolly at Audacious Ink says, “Now that the man is turning sixty, I think what’s noteworthy is not just the music, but that he still does what he does with such enthusiasm and passion.”

If Springsteen can do this at 60, what can I do? What can you do?

What do you think? Click on Comments, scroll down, and write away.

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5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Sixties

23 October 2009

No matter what our culture or the voices in our head that are tainted by our culture say, we are not ready to disappear or to slink off and hide after 60.

We want to make the most of however many years we have left. To live fully. To be fully alive with rich, fun, passionate, meaningful lives in the next decade and beyond.

And this is very possible!

How? Here are some ideas to get you started.

1) Take time to listen to yourself. What are your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears for your 60s?

2) Some things are in your control, some are not. What can you change? How can you do that? What do you need to accept? How can you do that?

3) Prepare for your future. What emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical practices will to set you so that you have the best possible life in your 60’s & beyond?

4) Create a vision for your life that lights you up, that energizes and enlivens you. What will bring you joy? Be deeply satisfying?

5) Start moving in the direction of your vision. Small steps or big steps will do the trick. Just start moving towards what lights you up.

(P.S. On this site, you’ll find other suggestions, tips, resources, and inspiration to help you do this, with more coming. Plus it’s a place for you to be yourself, to express yourself by making comments, to create conversation and community. I hope you’ll come back often.)

Please share your responses, thoughts, experiences, and feelings by clicking on Comments below, scrolling down to the form, and then writing away.

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How to Celebrate 60?

21 October 2009

Is 60 a cause for celebration?

I like to celebrate. My husband and I celebrate 3 anniversaries! The day we met, our first date, and our wedding. All good excuses reasons for a special dinner out at a nice restaurant, one of my favorite things to do.

And, of course, our birthdays provide two more occasions for special dinners.

birthday cupcake with candles

“Big” birthdays. You know, the ones that end in 0. They’ve been cause for a more major marking of the event.

On my 40th birthday, I went to Magdalena Bay in Baja, California and kayaked with the gray whales. I’d long wanted to do that & it was a fabulous, fabulous experience.

On my 50th birthday, Denny surprised me with a delightful long weekend in San Francisco which included an Etta James concert. She’s one of my very favorite singers and I’ll never forget the opening notes of her signature piece, “At Last.” Oh, and I also ended up with a bit of jewelry to mark the occasion. Nothing to complain about there!

As for 60 . . . it’s also worth celebrating, isn’t it?

Yes!!!!

My 60th birthday plans are coming together. More on that later.

What about you? How do you celebrate special occasions? What did you do or would you like to do to mark your 60th? Let us know by clicking Comments below, scrolling down, and writing away.

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Turning 60 — A Message from Me to You

20 October 2009

Since you’ve found your way to this blog, you’re likely a woman in the vicinity of 60.

The Downside

Perhaps you’re feeling apprehensive, troubled, or concerned about being 60. You might feel stuck in a life that’s no longer exciting to you and not seeing a future to really look forward to.

woman pulling hair out

Sixty can be a bit jarring. There’s something about that number.

I understand.

Sixty was the first time I was ever bothered about my age. I even had a few moments wondering if I could hide or lie about my age. My reaction shocked me.

I thought 60 was old and I did not want to be old. Nor did I want anyone else to think I was old.

Our culture’s messages are so negative about aging. Especially for women. It’s not surprising that we fear becoming old, invisible, cast aside, unwanted, marginalized.

But life isn’t over at 60.

The best is not behind you.

I’m not saying la la, no problem, everything is great, you’re going to live forever, nothing will change.

There is inner work to be done, stuff to face and deal with. There are changes ahead that may be challenging.

And there’s hope and possibility.

You can still have peace of mind, joy, and purpose. You can still live the full, wonderful life you desire.

If this appeals to you, I hope you’ll stick around and become part of this village of women who want to create lives they love in their 60s and beyond.

What about you? Click on Comments below, scroll down, and write away. Tell us about your experience of approaching or turning 60.

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My Neon “I’m 60″ Sign

16 October 2009

I’m starting a business named Savoring Your Sixties.

Why don’t I just post a neon sign on my forehead saying I’m old? Or hire the Goodyear blimp to circle the state, flashing “Bonnie McFarland is 60?”

I get the joke of this. But I admit I don’t find it knee-slappingly funny.

How’d this happen to a nice girl like me?

One moment I was thinking about hiding my age. Okay, that idea didn’t last long but I was shocked it had even occurred to me!

The next moment I’m specializing in helping women who are in the vicinity of 60.

In my forties and fifties, many people upon learning my age were surprised. At least they professed to be. They thought I was younger. I must confess I enjoyed that.

That gig is now up. When someone at a cocktail party asks what I do and I tell them, no one is thinking that I’m anything less than 60, are they?

Like I said, my business is a neon sign for my age.

I’m sure this is part of my journey to make peace with turning 60. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. And to be honest, I’m not there yet.

Please share your own not-completely-amused-that-you’re-turning-60 story. Or share some encouragement and inspiration. Both are welcome here. Just click on Comments below, scroll down to the form, and write away.

Photo Courtesy of hugo90 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/3514778602/

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What If 60 Were a Grand New Adventure?

12 October 2009

sailboat 2

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 50’s. And still am!

A great marriage. A beautiful home on the water. Healthy. Wonderful family and friends. Fun travel. Work that lights me up.

What’s not to love about all that?

Now I’m reluctant to turn 60. As if I had any control over it!

When I look through a half-empty cup lens, it’s so easy for me to see all the possible problems, difficulties, challenges, and troubles the next decade could hold.

But what if the 60s were good years? What if I continued to grow as a person? What if my life somehow got even better?

What if I developed new strengths and interests and passions? What if I met new friends? What if my relationships got even better? What if my work allowed me to make a difference for many women in the next 10 years?

These kind of “what if’s” make me curious, eager, and interested in what’s to come.

I like this state of mind much better than the worried, scared, awful-izing one.

What if 60 were a grand new adventure for you?

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird at http://www. flickr.bairdphotos.com

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There Are No Little Moments

08 October 2009

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Everything matters. Every moment matters. Our lives are a series of moments, one after another.

How could we judge which are small and which are big? They are all precious. They all matter.

How are you using the moments of your life?

If you’d like to comment on this post, just click on Comments below, scroll down to the form, and write away.

Photo Courtesy of kainet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kainet/530100860/

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Does This Make You Laugh?

05 October 2009

Okay, this is off-topic.

It’s something that made me laugh and I thought it might make you laugh, too. So I’m blogging it, just for fun.

But since laughter and joy are a huge part of savoring our sixties, it isn’t really off topic at all, is it?

My sister emailed this to me. Check it out and see if it makes you laugh, too.

HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands .

Take a look at their product page. You can’t order anything and it’s in Dutch, but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. Don’t click on any of the items in the picture, just wait and see what happens. This company has a sense of humor and a great computer programmer.
http://producten.hema.nl/

So, did this make you laugh? What does? Is laughter an important part of your best life? Let me know by clicking on Comments below, scrolling down to the form, and writing away.

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