Well, I have finally admitted that I will need knee surgery. I climbed a small hill this weekend and had to scoot back down because my knee wouldn’t hold.
I am still fairly active but my knee is getting weaker and putting too much stress on my body.
I have never had a major surgery (I’m 70) so it is a very scary prospect.
I will call today to schedule. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I walked our family dog down the street and found a new path. I didn’t see a “no trespassing sign” so we continued on the path with little bridges next to the pond on our street. My son is going to look into who may own that piece of property.
Went to see my Dad today w/my son. He will be 88 in September. I was happy to hear he is getting out more lately and still sharp as can be. 😊
Last night I went to an Open Mic night at a cafe where many from the art and music community hang out.
They have an open mic night once a month and I have been wanting to go for a while.
My husband came with me and it was fun. Yay, I finally made it! I plan to continue attending their open mic nights as a regular.
It was fun. It was mostly people who sing and play guitar. A few on piano too. Several musicians played backup by following along with their own instruments. I was surprised at how good everyone was. My husband enjoyed it too.
At a Life Ring meeting someone said their week had been blah. When I shared I said “Blah can be alright” especially since it is always better that the chaos I conducted my life in for so many years.
Everyday I do something for the first time. As a matter of fact, I do everything for the first time. Yes, at an advancing age, I have my rigor, my routines, and yes, I have to work to realize that these are not the same as yesterday, or yesterday, or yesterday. Because yesterday changed who I was into who I am today, and today arrives with new sights and sounds and interactions never before presented in the manner and order in which they arrive. Hey, I just wrote a comment here for the first time! Enjoy the day.
Welcome Michael, “new sights and sounds and interactions never presented in the manner and order in which they arrive.” Reminds me of making my mental game plan for the day, knowing I am able to punt and regroup.
Of course,
early in my life
I did a lot of things for the first time . . .
learned to ride a bicycle,
how to swim,
how to read and sing,
how to sew a fine seam,
to make a salad,
bake a cake,
ride a horse
(sort of),
play the flute and the piano,
learned Spanish,
how to get along,
drive my car on an ice covered lake,
nurse an infant,
grow things,
become flexible mentally and physically . . .
but as I’ve gotten older and slowed my life down,
there have been fewer ‘new’ things . . .
creating my garden beds was something new,
as I never had land enough to try my hand.
That is still an ongoing process,
and things change a little each year,
as some things spread
and some things die.
The beginning of that new thing
was 13 years ago.
My husband and I
built a very nice garden shed . . .
the bottom half brick and the top half wooden siding,
in the flavor of our European style house.
Inside he built a potting table,
shelves for pots and bags of fertilizer,
and hooks for hanging tools . . .
it’s really very beautiful,
with lace curtains in the windows
and hanging window baskets for flowers in the summer,
but that also,
was not recent . . .
that was 7 years ago.
Perhaps my most recent ‘new’ thing
was late last summer
when I made a commitment to come here regularly,
to this forum.
When the old forum was left behind
I have stayed with that group,
but we are slowly withering . . .
and our mainstays are gone from us.
That is why I am here . . .
to nourish spiritually
and to be nourished spiritually.
I am grateful for this web site,
and grateful for you . . .
all of you.
You may have saved my life. ♥
Yes, even at my advanced age 😁, there are still new things to do. I do value routine, and fear is still a big part of my operating system, but every now and then I force myself to push through and have a new experience. In the last six years, there’s been quite a few. Most recently, I put a listing on Craigslist, for musicians to play with. Never done that before and I’ve only played with people I already knew, until recently. And again, as soon as I pressed “send”, I wanted to undo undo undo! But I didn’t. I just let it hang out there.
My therapist and I generically call it “pressing send”. Putting yourself out there. Push through the fear and voila, magic. And lo and behold, I’m playing with a few local, like minded folks, in a genuine garage band. Now, it isn’t the exact situation I was looking for, in fact, they needed a guitar player (not a drummer), but the bass player “had a feeling” and reached out to me anyway.
So, I figured, at the very least, I would meet some local dudes, and now here I am, singing and playing guitar again after a decade off. One thing that helps is asking myself “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” If the answer is embarrassment, I can deal with that.
Nothing like stumbling, or wiping out here at the place, then making my way upright and looking around in case anyone saw. “embarrassment. I can deal with that.” 😊
I’m chuckling, Charlie because you are about the same age as my son and I know he too thinks of himself as old. When I pointed out to him that he wasn’t old, I was old, He said, “No Mom, I’m old and your ancient!” We had a good laugh over that. He definitely hasn’t lost he aptitude for orneriness. The think I like the most about your post is your question “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” And your answer, “If the answer is embarrassment, I can deal with that.” That, dear Charlie, is wisdom.
That’s great,
dear Charlie . . .
I’m so proud of you for pressing send.
I hope that when my husband retires
he will do that.
He is happiest,
I think,
playing music. ♥
May 28 when I performed with an improv troupe in public for the first time. It was energizing, fun and funny, and a 90-minute show went by so fast! Friends and family of all of us in the troupe showed up to support us along with a bunch of strangers. We now have a standing gig at this venue for the first Wednesday of every month so the first time won’t be the last time.
Yesterday morning, June 14, 2025, my wife and I were taking a planned walk. One of our ongoing jokes with one another when we do or plan something that is an entirely new experience is say to the other: “Our first _ _ _ _ _ with one another together as a married couple.” It always makes us smile, as there have been of course many of those first experiences.
Yesterday we said: “This is our first protest march together as a married couple” as we walked to the NoKings Protests here in the desert.
I love this approach of the first whatever as a married couple, John. About three years ago, my husband and I started the practice of doing X number of dates for X number of years that we’ve been married to mark our anniversary. We started the year it was 15 dates for 15 years. This year it will be 18 dates for 18 years. I need to start making the list of possibilities that we work from as we decide what to do each day. I like the idea of layering on “this is the first time we did this as a married couple.” There’s still plenty of first experiences ahead, I hope.
I’m on a trip back to the town I used to live in for many years. I guess that means yesterday was the first time i’ve been in a protest in my hometown as someone from out of town! Sunny, delightful, full of joy and color as the Pride event merged into the rally in the big downtown park.
It has felt like such a slow-paced journey, but I appreciate the time taken to learn as much as I can while picking my own practice back up after getting out of our business. And even though it felt slow, after chatting with some other new teachers who had their teachings in person (mine were online), I’m grateful for the path I chose to earn my 200hr… esp since one girl told me she felt like her program was a crash course.
Anyhow, the journey continues!
I respect your approach! I used to do a lot of yoga classes, and some of them were really rushed. Then I noticed my shoulders getting cranky, and I asked my friend the yoga therapist whether yoga injuries were a thing, and she said she got clients with yoga injuries all the time. All that to say–I really like teachers who have experience, are thoughtful, slow even, and not creating an environment where students feel they need to push themselves. Slow sounds good to me!
It was! I got nervous at the start of class, but once we started to flow, all was well. And one of my friends that was in class asked everyone to take a photo with me when we were finished… I will cherish that moment forever!
Yesterday I took a new route on my bike, pushed my physical limits in new ways, found new insights in a group discussion, attended a new event, tried a new type of food. Today I similarly plan to expand upon the familiar in new ways.
Yesterday, I did my first American poem on SVG. Here it is.
Stan Van Gundy
His name is Stan.
He’s a big man.
That’s the basketball coach.
There’s the master’s plan.
He’s the big dream.
Listen to him scream.
Win or go home.
He’s for the team.
The man is tough.
His voice is gruff.
He’s my favorite coach.
He gives tough love.
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Well, I have finally admitted that I will need knee surgery. I climbed a small hill this weekend and had to scoot back down because my knee wouldn’t hold.
I am still fairly active but my knee is getting weaker and putting too much stress on my body.
I have never had a major surgery (I’m 70) so it is a very scary prospect.
I will call today to schedule. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Thinking of you, Linda. And kudos to you for the realization of what your body needs right now. May all be well.
I walked our family dog down the street and found a new path. I didn’t see a “no trespassing sign” so we continued on the path with little bridges next to the pond on our street. My son is going to look into who may own that piece of property.
Went to see my Dad today w/my son. He will be 88 in September. I was happy to hear he is getting out more lately and still sharp as can be. 😊
Last night I went to an Open Mic night at a cafe where many from the art and music community hang out.
They have an open mic night once a month and I have been wanting to go for a while.
My husband came with me and it was fun. Yay, I finally made it! I plan to continue attending their open mic nights as a regular.
That sounds fun, Mary! I haven’t been to an open mic in years.
Sounds like fun!
It was fun. It was mostly people who sing and play guitar. A few on piano too. Several musicians played backup by following along with their own instruments. I was surprised at how good everyone was. My husband enjoyed it too.
Nothing is coming to mind. I guess I’m so predictable, I’m boring! Sometimes, boring is good.
At a Life Ring meeting someone said their week had been blah. When I shared I said “Blah can be alright” especially since it is always better that the chaos I conducted my life in for so many years.
Everyday I do something for the first time. As a matter of fact, I do everything for the first time. Yes, at an advancing age, I have my rigor, my routines, and yes, I have to work to realize that these are not the same as yesterday, or yesterday, or yesterday. Because yesterday changed who I was into who I am today, and today arrives with new sights and sounds and interactions never before presented in the manner and order in which they arrive. Hey, I just wrote a comment here for the first time! Enjoy the day.
Hello! Welcome!
Welcome to this amazing group of people Michael.
Welcome Michael, “new sights and sounds and interactions never presented in the manner and order in which they arrive.” Reminds me of making my mental game plan for the day, knowing I am able to punt and regroup.
Welcome!
Welcome Michael. Nice to have you here. ☀️
Welcome, Michael Conlon.
Well said,
dear Michael . . .
and welcome to this place. ❣️
Welcome dear Michael!
Of course,
early in my life
I did a lot of things for the first time . . .
learned to ride a bicycle,
how to swim,
how to read and sing,
how to sew a fine seam,
to make a salad,
bake a cake,
ride a horse
(sort of),
play the flute and the piano,
learned Spanish,
how to get along,
drive my car on an ice covered lake,
nurse an infant,
grow things,
become flexible mentally and physically . . .
but as I’ve gotten older and slowed my life down,
there have been fewer ‘new’ things . . .
creating my garden beds was something new,
as I never had land enough to try my hand.
That is still an ongoing process,
and things change a little each year,
as some things spread
and some things die.
The beginning of that new thing
was 13 years ago.
My husband and I
built a very nice garden shed . . .
the bottom half brick and the top half wooden siding,
in the flavor of our European style house.
Inside he built a potting table,
shelves for pots and bags of fertilizer,
and hooks for hanging tools . . .
it’s really very beautiful,
with lace curtains in the windows
and hanging window baskets for flowers in the summer,
but that also,
was not recent . . .
that was 7 years ago.
Perhaps my most recent ‘new’ thing
was late last summer
when I made a commitment to come here regularly,
to this forum.
When the old forum was left behind
I have stayed with that group,
but we are slowly withering . . .
and our mainstays are gone from us.
That is why I am here . . .
to nourish spiritually
and to be nourished spiritually.
I am grateful for this web site,
and grateful for you . . .
all of you.
You may have saved my life. ♥
I’m not sure which group you are referring to as the old forum, Sparrow.
Was it a Daily Question group or a Gratitude Lounge group? 🥰
No,
it wasn’t,
dear Mary . . .
the groups you mentioned
came after the website was re-done in 2017. ♥
❤️
Yes, even at my advanced age 😁, there are still new things to do. I do value routine, and fear is still a big part of my operating system, but every now and then I force myself to push through and have a new experience. In the last six years, there’s been quite a few. Most recently, I put a listing on Craigslist, for musicians to play with. Never done that before and I’ve only played with people I already knew, until recently. And again, as soon as I pressed “send”, I wanted to undo undo undo! But I didn’t. I just let it hang out there.
My therapist and I generically call it “pressing send”. Putting yourself out there. Push through the fear and voila, magic. And lo and behold, I’m playing with a few local, like minded folks, in a genuine garage band. Now, it isn’t the exact situation I was looking for, in fact, they needed a guitar player (not a drummer), but the bass player “had a feeling” and reached out to me anyway.
So, I figured, at the very least, I would meet some local dudes, and now here I am, singing and playing guitar again after a decade off. One thing that helps is asking myself “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” If the answer is embarrassment, I can deal with that.
Nothing like stumbling, or wiping out here at the place, then making my way upright and looking around in case anyone saw. “embarrassment. I can deal with that.” 😊
I’m chuckling, Charlie because you are about the same age as my son and I know he too thinks of himself as old. When I pointed out to him that he wasn’t old, I was old, He said, “No Mom, I’m old and your ancient!” We had a good laugh over that. He definitely hasn’t lost he aptitude for orneriness. The think I like the most about your post is your question “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” And your answer, “If the answer is embarrassment, I can deal with that.” That, dear Charlie, is wisdom.
I agree with Charlie and Carol. Viewing embarrassment as -not such a bad thing- is very wise.
That’s great,
dear Charlie . . .
I’m so proud of you for pressing send.
I hope that when my husband retires
he will do that.
He is happiest,
I think,
playing music. ♥
May 28 when I performed with an improv troupe in public for the first time. It was energizing, fun and funny, and a 90-minute show went by so fast! Friends and family of all of us in the troupe showed up to support us along with a bunch of strangers. We now have a standing gig at this venue for the first Wednesday of every month so the first time won’t be the last time.
Congratulations Barb!
Yay, Barb! That’s great.
Happy for you and the new adventure! All the best for you and the crew!
Barb, that sounds like so much fun! Good for you.
That is so awesome, Barb!
That’s great,
dear Barb!
Aren’t you glad now
that you took the leap? ♥
Yes! Made new friends through this too.
Everytime I pick up my phone, I am doing something new for the first time. Technology changes daily.
I can’t remember … nothing new comes to mind. This is a nice reminder to look for new things to do/try.
Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads today 🙂
Yesterday morning, June 14, 2025, my wife and I were taking a planned walk. One of our ongoing jokes with one another when we do or plan something that is an entirely new experience is say to the other: “Our first _ _ _ _ _ with one another together as a married couple.” It always makes us smile, as there have been of course many of those first experiences.
Yesterday we said: “This is our first protest march together as a married couple” as we walked to the NoKings Protests here in the desert.
Good for you and your wife, John, for attending a No Kings Protest!
Maybe if more like minded people would do the same, we could make a difference.
Love the first time as a married couple thing. That’s funny and so nice!😸
Keeping it fresh!🥰
Good for you!
I love this approach of the first whatever as a married couple, John. About three years ago, my husband and I started the practice of doing X number of dates for X number of years that we’ve been married to mark our anniversary. We started the year it was 15 dates for 15 years. This year it will be 18 dates for 18 years. I need to start making the list of possibilities that we work from as we decide what to do each day. I like the idea of layering on “this is the first time we did this as a married couple.” There’s still plenty of first experiences ahead, I hope.
I’m on a trip back to the town I used to live in for many years. I guess that means yesterday was the first time i’ve been in a protest in my hometown as someone from out of town! Sunny, delightful, full of joy and color as the Pride event merged into the rally in the big downtown park.
When having taken the next new breath.
That’s true, Ose!!
May 25, last month. I taught my first studio yoga class. One of the best days of my life 🙂
Congratulations! It seems like you’ve really worked hard for this.
It has felt like such a slow-paced journey, but I appreciate the time taken to learn as much as I can while picking my own practice back up after getting out of our business. And even though it felt slow, after chatting with some other new teachers who had their teachings in person (mine were online), I’m grateful for the path I chose to earn my 200hr… esp since one girl told me she felt like her program was a crash course.
Anyhow, the journey continues!
I respect your approach! I used to do a lot of yoga classes, and some of them were really rushed. Then I noticed my shoulders getting cranky, and I asked my friend the yoga therapist whether yoga injuries were a thing, and she said she got clients with yoga injuries all the time. All that to say–I really like teachers who have experience, are thoughtful, slow even, and not creating an environment where students feel they need to push themselves. Slow sounds good to me!
That’s huge, SunnyPatty!
I know it must have been a beautiful class!
It was! I got nervous at the start of class, but once we started to flow, all was well. And one of my friends that was in class asked everyone to take a photo with me when we were finished… I will cherish that moment forever!
That´s great, dear Sunnypatti! Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Ose!
Yesterday I took a new route on my bike, pushed my physical limits in new ways, found new insights in a group discussion, attended a new event, tried a new type of food. Today I similarly plan to expand upon the familiar in new ways.
Wow, Drea!!
New thing, on top of new thing, on top of new thing, on top of new thing, on top of new thing, right?
Whoa!
Ha, yeah, it didn’t feel like so many new things until I thought about the question for reflection!
new routes are the best!
Yesterday, I did my first American poem on SVG. Here it is.
Stan Van Gundy
His name is Stan.
He’s a big man.
That’s the basketball coach.
There’s the master’s plan.
He’s the big dream.
Listen to him scream.
Win or go home.
He’s for the team.
The man is tough.
His voice is gruff.
He’s my favorite coach.
He gives tough love.
That’s great, Loc!
Thanks, Mary.