So, if aging "mellow" enhances wines, human mellowness could surely enhance the lives of aging women...and others, too, right? It seems pretty plausible, given the warmth we often sense in people of any age/gender who behave pleasantly toward others; who lend a hand wherever and however they can; and/or who're making their Own lives suit them well.
But at this stage, even those personifying the first two characteristics may sometimes wonder how to achieve the third. Three possibilities (for any of us) might be to find ways to enjoy "here and now," adopt/acknowledge a mission or purpose, and/or tackle a goal or dream. In fact, these and others may even now be calling our names.
Also, we might assess the degree of exploration, adventure, and Flat-Out Fun in our lives these days. Because those puppies can wander off when we're busy, stressed, bored, etc., monitoring (and perhaps occasional specific action) may help us keep them closer or reel them back when they do stray.
From time to time, some of us might find it helpful to talk with people who know how to listen. For example, conversations with a sensitive friend/family member, or a therapist, clergy person, coach, etc., can sometimes yield remarkable (and perhaps unexpected) benefits.
Another possibility? Life-tweaks, which could include even very simple adjustments to enhance and/or lure back joie de vivre or to ease an issue that may be troubling you. A single step, even just one, can often start the ball rolling, whatever the nature and scope of the "tweak" you're undertaking.
Here's another: Could you be harboring a long-held wish or goal—a personal path (or hill) awaiting your metaphorical boots? If yes, perhaps you and those boots might decide to embark upon one or more of the following:
* Getting verrry clear about what YOU genuinely want for yourself or perhaps need to do
* Laying out a course of action (perhaps focused upon small steps)
* Taking a single step toward the goal(s), and then moving ahead and hanging in(!)
* Staying out of the dreaded Boxes as you work your way forward
Alas, yes. In a nutshell, those would be any attitudes, beliefs, habits, etc., that hinder our progress and/or lessen our enjoyment of life. Such "boxes" may sometimes lean in harshly during our autumn (i.e., aging) years.
For example, the don't-get-old box can sometimes assault midlife and senior folk in verrry tedious ways. Another candidate for rotten eggs? Procrastination, the do-it-later box, which can deflect us from pursuing things we
want or maybe even Really need to do...and that we perhaps also feel guilty about not having dealt with before now. (Guess how I know that.)
Equally dampening to the spirit can be the maybe-losing-it box, the too-late/old boxes, the don't/can't/shouldn't do it (the DDIs) boxes, and the maybe I'll need/want this later (clutter) box—to
name but a few of the "usual suspects."
Click on any live link below for discussions of these and other bandits.
Do it later |
All or nothing |
Whether the box analogy itself works for you doesn't really matter. But the behavioral and thought patterns such "boxes" could represent might sometimes hinder you unnecessarily and possibly also more than you realize. Plus, they can sure trash mellow.
Something else to consider? The many, many ways our world benefits when you share your wisdom, good humor, and experience! Do you, or the rest of us, actually owe those qualities to the world? Who knows, really. But think what a gift they can be when applied generously and widely.
And as those "gifts" lighten and/or brighten the lives of others in various ways, our own may do so as well—speaking of great double-wins(!) So, maybe we might pursue such wins more often ourselves?? Jolly Cat and I vote yes, but your own is the vote that rules for you.
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understand two things: (a) I am neither therapist nor professional coach; (b) my comments here are not intended to disparage any women whose immediate choices may range from
limited to nonexistent. To such women (or anyone, really), I mean no
offense with my remarks.