Reflections

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  1. Lydia

    Learning to drive at 19 – no-one expected me to do it as I was a noted daydreamer and butterfly-brain! Getting a first-class honours in my BA degree at 54 years old. My husband re-opening the door to a better connection with his daughter and grandsons after years of neglect – at 81 years old. Truly I am seeing that it is never too late to change.

    4 weeks ago
  2. Robin Ann

    What comes to mind for me is using my knowledge of my daughter’s situation to help someone else. I helped a friend of my daughter’s obtain health insurance through the healthcare marketplace and this Friday he is going to a substance rehab (one I suggested to him). He has a beautiful young daughter. I feel like it is a pay it forward, he kept an eye on my daughter when she was in a bad way and now he needs a little help getting back on track with his life.

    4 weeks ago
    1. S
      Ana Maria

      Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your life experience to support another human being. Bless you and your family.

      4 weeks ago
  3. Don Jones

    Perhaps the time as a young boy, in the heat of a still summer night, laying on a grassy slope, gazing into the universe. I began to wonder …

    4 weeks ago
  4. Dolores Kazanjian

    There are so many. And they all came from saying “yes” to opportunities even when I was scared to death. Some major ones: singing with the Armenian Apostolic Diocesan Church Choir (NYC -based) in the Holy Land, even though I don’t speak the language (my parents were born in the US and did not share a common second language.) Accepting a promotion that involved a lot of responsibility and supervising over 50 people in five departments at the tender age of 29. I had no idea what I was doing, and had to seek a lot of help. Another was getting married at age 46, despite a firm belief that I did not ever want to marry. I had a good life, beautiful apartment, many friends, a successful career and did not have a role model of a successful marriage in my immediate or extended family. Forty four years later, I’m glad I did.
    More recently, with aging and health and mobility issues the pushing beyond what’s possible has become much more modest, like preparing a meal or going out to a restaurant or theater.
    Sunday will involve a biggie. I plan to sing with the choir at the memorial service for our beloved music director. who died recently of ALS. It will go beyond what I believe is possible, but I can’t not try to raise my voice in song with my fellow choristers in tribute to Mark, who was not only a fabulous musician but one of the finest and most spiritual people ever to walk this earth. I hope and believe that the Precious Lord will
    Take My Hand (that’s the first solo that I did at our church )

    4 weeks ago
    1. Robin Ann

      Sounds like a beautiful tribute to your dear friend, sorry for your loss.

      4 weeks ago
    2. Avril

      I’m sorry for your loss and I am grateful you have an opportunity to sing. Many blessings.

      4 weeks ago
      1. Dolores Kazanjian

        Thank you both, Avril and Robin Ann.

        4 weeks ago
  5. O.Christina

    Recently, i received an invitation to take part in a seminar, being asked to refer about something my heart beats for. It brought joy and immediate initiative to prepare something possibly supportive for the participants of this event. Such unexpected appearing of inspiring light creates a sense of possibility in me. Or the invitation of partaking in an event in autumn related to my heart´s joy together with kindred hearts is such inspiration to do my best possible, to unfold in and cultivate these areas for the sake of all.

    4 weeks ago
  6. A
    ActiveD5

    Many, raising my five children essentially on my own. Finishing a triathalon sprint at age 50, a successful career.

    4 weeks ago
  7. Charlie T

    In my early twenty’s, I took a solo bike tour
    through the woods of Northern California.
    It definitely tested me and I gained a bit
    more confidence in myself. It was a great
    adventure, with highs and lows, literal ups
    and downs. It redefined my sense of my
    own capabilities.

    4 weeks ago
    1. Robin Ann

      I can relate. I did a 3 day bike group trip in VT to raise $ for the American Lung Association in my 20’s also. 50 miles a day- definitely challenged me!

      4 weeks ago
    2. Avril

      I love to be alone in the woods

      4 weeks ago
  8. sunnypatti

    There have been many, and they each helped me see that I am capable, resilient, and strong enough to do what I need and want to do…
    * graduating college
    * running a large non-profit female surf contest for 10 years
    * the moment I realized I absolutely could leave my ex and wasn’t trapped like I thought
    * leaving my steady-paycheck corporate retail job last year to work with my husband

    4 weeks ago
  9. Barb C

    Even the smallest events can expand my sense of what is possible. The one that comes to mind is an event that, in the moment, didn’t feel at all like an event and yet it opened a door. I attended a women’s political conference and carpooled down the length of Idaho and back with women I’d met through our shared work on a specific issue. Somewhere along the way I asked one of them about her run for state legislature which had come about rather unexpectedly as a late write-in campaign, I think. I mentioned that I wanted to run for the legislature someday and asked whether it was a good idea to work your way up through local offices or go straight for it. We talked about many things on that trip and I didn’t think of that conversation as particularly momentous. But she shared my interest with the head of the state party, and later that year I got a call asking if I would consider running–meaning running that year, not in the unspecified future I had in mind.

    Long story short, I ended up saying yes, ran, won, and served. It was an amazing experience and put me on the path that brought me to where I am now using the skills of politics and policy in service of a cleaner, greener, safer future transportation system.

    Be careful about what you say to people at conferences, haha!

    4 weeks ago
    1. Avril

      I want to run for office, too. We’ll have to chat some time!

      4 weeks ago
      1. Barb C

        Absolutely! I haven’t yet found a messaging function here but I haven’t explored the whole site.

        4 weeks ago
  10. S
    Ana Maria

    Today, February 28th and tomorrow February 29th I get to celebrate the births of my two now adult children. To love them is a gift from the universe. They have made my journey in life full of joy. I am grateful for their presence in my life. Now as grandamother of my 20 months granddaughter life continues witht he gift of life and possibilities as I get to have her in my life. Another circle of life. The possibilities to make a difference in her life is another gift.

    4 weeks ago
  11. Josie

    Strange as it may sound, I now view my 2022 diagnosis & treatment for two cancers (breast & lung) to be one of the great graces in my life. Thanks to excellent doctors, good care & the prayers of so many, I am now a survivor & helping to support others on their journey with cancer. I certainly never even dreamed this would or could be possible.

    4 weeks ago
    1. Yram

      Thank you for sharing. My husband was recently diagnosed with a rare blood order, Amyloidosis. By his/our sharing a friend has been taking better care of his health.

      4 weeks ago
    2. Joseph McCann

      A testament to your strength, Dear Josie.

      4 weeks ago
      1. Josie

        Thank you, Joseph.

        4 weeks ago
  12. Michele

    That no matter how long it takes, you can earn a degree and go to college. It took me like 9 yrs to earn my Associates Degree – I took my time, one class at a time while raising my children and being a homemaker.
    When I see people in their 70s/80s walk down the aisle to receive theirs it gives me such joy. 🙂

    4 weeks ago
    1. Robin Ann

      Amen to that!! My Mother got her nursing degree when I was in high school. When I was 52 I went back to College and earned a one year certificate (took 2 yrs) to add to my associates while working FT and raising my children as well.

      4 weeks ago
  13. Yram

    My whole young life was geared to being a nurse. But life had other paths for me. I was called to be in the educational field. I am very proud of all the students/families I have influenced to be awed by possibilities and believe in themselves.

    4 weeks ago
    1. Avril

      Teachers are so important. I appreciate your life path curve, Yram.

      4 weeks ago
  14. Avril

    In 2017, I made the tough decision to quit my stable yet low-paying job and become an independent mindfulness instructor in a psychiatric practice. As a single mom, it required courage to leave behind the benefits that came with my previous job, but I felt like I was stuck in a golden birdcage and needed a change. This move gave me the clinical experience I needed, and two years later, I was offered a job as a health educator with Cigna. Unfortunately, one of my closest friends was also competing for the same job, but when she got it, I was genuinely happy for her.

    However, a few weeks later, a much better role opened up at the same company I left in 2017. They were looking for a women’s heart program coordinator for a holistic wellness program, and they needed someone on the south side. Interestingly enough, another close friend of mine, who was also a single mom, was also going for the position. We had previously worked together to create a mindfulness program five years earlier. As fate would have it, the original coordinator resigned, and both my friend and I were hired for the position. The company offered us handsome benefits and compensation for our hard work.

    Fast forward to today, and my role has become virtual and hybrid due to the COVID pandemic. As a result, I have the gift of working mostly from home. The program has been a huge success, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help people in a meaningful way.

    4 weeks ago
    1. Joseph McCann

      Thank you for the very pleasant share, Avril.

      4 weeks ago
    2. Robin Ann

      Love your story, thanks for sharing!

      4 weeks ago
    3. Michele

      I echo Yram, very nice story and outcome!

      4 weeks ago
      1. Avril

        Thank you

        4 weeks ago
    4. Yram

      What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing!

      4 weeks ago
      1. Avril

        Thank you!

        4 weeks ago
  15. EJP

    The covid pandemic made me realize that everything is possible if you truly believe.

    4 weeks ago
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