2009 November | Savoring Your Sixties

Terrific Support for Awakening Joy

30 November 2009

Joy after 60. Is it possible?

Of course! You may need to put extra attention toward creating it and joy is possible at any age.

If you’d like support in awakening more joy in your life – at any age! – James Baraz’ Awakening Joy course is a terrific resource.

After I read about it in an O magazine article, I signed up for this year’s course and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

James is a wise, compassionate, gentle, nurturing, encouraging teacher.

The 10-month course’s topics include mindfulness, gratitude, compassion, letting go, and much more.

Each month there are 2 letters from James on the month’s theme as well as audio and video of the classes.

Registration for the 2010 course has begun. Check out Awakening Joy and see if it might be for you.

Thoughts? Questions? Click on Comments, scroll down to the form, and let me know.

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Joy Burst: Perpetuum Jazzile

27 November 2009

Now and then, I come across something that gives me a little boost of joy, a smile, or a laugh. I share these with you in hopes that they’ll do the same for you.

Give yourself five or six minutes to listen to the Perpetum Jazzile chorus use their hands to simulate a storm and then go on to sing a lovely rendition of a popular song. It’s a Joy Burst sure to make your heart smile.

Did you like this? Click on Comments, scroll down to the form, and share your response.

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Power of Gratitude

25 November 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow.

No matter what holidays you celebrate, gratitude is a powerful, life-transforming emotion.

Today I am grateful for my health, Denny, my family, good friends, my new home, living on the water, my Island community, and so much more.

How about you? What are you grateful for? Click on Comments, scroll down to the form, and tell us.

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Get Out of That Rut!

23 November 2009

ice rut flickr 3214950033_62d5233b00

It’s oh so easy to keep doing what we’ve been doing.

But that same old same old can be dull, dreary, and draining.

Try something new

The older we get, the more important it may be to do something new. Learn something new. Try something new.

New boosts your energy, aliveness, and joy.

It could be something major like going back to school or starting a new business. Or something smaller like a taking a yoga class or joining a book club.

No matter its size, “new” can give you a big life lift.

Choose something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t let yourself or something you’re curious about or something you have energy toward. Follow that and see where it leads you.

My Experience

As I’ve struggled with turning 60 I have also been starting a new business. With that business, I’ve been constantly learning and intellectually stimulated.

My focus on Savoring Your Sixties shifted a lot of my attention away from the ugh and eek of 60 towards the fun and joy of creating something new. That has made a huge difference for me!

What About You?

What is something new you’d like to try? Are you willing to let yourself go for it?

Thoughts? Click on Comments, scroll down to the form, and write away.

Photo courtesy of D’Arcy Norman, Flickr

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Elderhostel Doesn’t Cut It Anymore

20 November 2009

Elderhostel has been doing educational travel since 1975.

They just changed their name to Exploritas. A business name change after 35 years? Lose all that name recognition? That had to be a tough decision.

Why did they do it? According to President James Moses, their audience of active, engaged, lifelong learners did not identify themselves as “elder.” (Guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to be called elder.)

Also Moses says that hostel no longer conveyed the many types of accommodations in their programs.

So Elderhostel became Exploritas.

Whatever they call themselves, this nonprofit is still a fabulous resource. Currently they are offering almost 8000 tours in all 50 states plus 90 countries. On what seems an infinite array of subjects.

Want to travel with others and be tour guided by experts? If you can’t find something here that interests you . . . well, are you sure you’re still breathing?

Where would you love to go? What would you love to do? Click Comments below, scroll down to the form, and tell us.

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Following Energy to a Happy Birthday

18 November 2009

Times Square New York City

Denny & I spent a week in New York City for my birthday. We had a blast; enjoying music, dancing, theater, good food, the sights, and more.

Usually we prefer quiet, peaceful vacations in beautiful, natural settings. Like whale watching in Hawaii or wandering small Italian hill towns.

Not big cities!

So how did we end up in New York City? By following our energy.

We considered many, many options for this vacation. But the one which was most “lights on” (energizing and enlivening) for both of us was New York.

I couldn’t believe it. This didn’t make sense. My mind told me “You two don’t like big city vacations. You’ll regret it if you chose NYC. You won’t enjoy it there. You’ll wish you’d gone some place else.”

Before I learned to follow my “lights” I would have ignored my energy and listened to my head. This time, given years of practicing “lights on” living, I chose to follow my energy.

And off we went to the very big city. Where we had a delightful, delicious time.

Want more joy and fun in your life? Follow your lights. Let that energy be your life navigation system.

Thoughts? Click on Comments, scroll down, and write away.

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A Lesson for Living

16 November 2009

Could you possibly watch this and not be moved, inspired, and grateful for your life?

I came across a post on Jim Leeds blog. In it was embedded a YouTube video of Jack Rushton.

How Jack finds the humor in his situation is amazing and he offers a not to be missed message about life. It’s definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

Responses to the video? Please share them by clicking Comments, scrolling down to the form, and writing away.

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No More Turning 60 For Me

14 November 2009

Birthday Girl 2

By the time you read this, I will not be approaching 60 any more.

It’s my birthday. I’m off celebrating and enjoying myself today.

My birthday wish? That my next decade be filled with love, laughter, fun, fulfillment, serenity, and joy.

Next week I’ll begin writing from the vantage point of being 60. I’m curious to see how that feels, what difference that makes. I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Better Than YouTube?

11 November 2009

Had your fill of bad news, gloomy tidings, weirdness, and negativity?

Have you seen KarmaTube? Its mission is to spread the good. They do it with short videos and suggested actions.

The videos on this site will touch and inspire you. Good food for our minds, hearts, and spirits.

To get you started, here’s a moving rendition of Amazing Grace, by Wently Phipps.

And then there’s The Fun Theory: Piano Stairs

You’re on your own from here. But watch out, this site could be habit forming.

Did you see one you particularly liked? Let us know by clicking on Comments, scrolling down, and sharing your faavorites.

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No Fear in Now

09 November 2009

For years and years, I’ve heard and read from many, many experts and life teachers – be in the present. Living in the now is the path to reducing your fears and living life fully.

While this idea makes sense to me, I’ve not yet mastered it. Not even close, to be honest!

I think for me, and maybe for many others, this is a lifetime’s work.

As I approached 60, I noticed that my fears, anxieties, and worries were about what might happen in the future.

When I shifted my attention to the present moment, the now, the reality of my life, I realized that I was experiencing some of the happiest times of my life.

And in those times when I was in the present moment, I didn’t have the worries, anxieties, and fears. That felt so much better!

So during this time of my life, my motivation for living in the moment has strengthened. I see that the more I do this, the more my misery dissolves and the happier I am. And who doesn’t want less misery and more happiness.

As author Stephen Pollan said in a recent issue of AARP’s magazine, “Focus on making today a good day. One of the best ways of eliminating fear is to stay in today. Tomorrow will wait for you.”

He was speaking about facing a crisis and it’s good advice for those of us facing our 60’s.

How can you make today a good day and leave tomorrow for tomorrow?

Please share your thoughts by clicking on Comments, scrolling down to the form, and writing away.

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