I covered a lot of ground while I was here and thank all my friends and family who joined me on the daily adventures. I look forward to a return visit in a couple of years!

Are you familiar with Ikigai?

"Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words: “iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,” which translates to “a reason to live.” It's a concept that encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and to live a life filled with purpose and joy."

I learned about it some time ago and have been reading books about it every so often. The approach speaks to my own journey of living my best life (*) with intention.

I love learning and will never stop doing so. I may not have a paper that cites a formal degree, but I sure have put in the mileage to earn my badges of experience!

Would it not have been amazing to learn about living a life of purpose in my early days?! Well, I think it sort of started back then in the most subtle of ways.

When I feel low, it is one of the things I consider: am I off course? The pause to consider can often reboot me.

Are you living in a way that keeps things interesting?

(*) Note: subject to change

The topic of confidence has been front of mind for me for quite awhile now. And, although some folks have remarked about how confident I appear in the world, I still struggle with it.

I finished reading The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman and was reminded that confidence is more of a verb and not so much an adjective.

When they spoke to that in their book, I paused to give that some thought in context of my lived experiences to realize that it has been very much the case for me. The more risks I took, the more confident I felt!

Of course, the lessons aren't always invigoratingly positive 😂 but, in hindsight, well worth it in the short (and long) run.

I look at it this way: all the little steps I took as chances have led me to some amazing experiences: owning my own business; becoming a professional actor in my later years; and, using my voice to advocate for myself and others in tough situations.

As with many life lessons, they are lifelong lessons, not quite a one and done. I suppose that keeps things interesting, right? 💯

I finally did it: I set up a chair by the lower damn in Green Lane Park. All I can hear is the water for the most part and all I see is green.

The space holds many memories, many of which are fond ones with my late mom when we would cone here in the summer to swim. Every once in awhile, I enjoyed some french fries with a side of ice cream sandwich from the snack bar.

I also have a vague memory of being here with my late father and two brothers, one of which is no longer with us. It was a cold day, I believe.

Oh! Now I hear the chorus of the cicadas and sing song of a bird. How refreshing this moment of Shinrin Yoku is even as I feel the heavy humidity fall through the cracks of the tree canopy above me.
I sit here alone soaking in the solitude. All feels right in the world although all of us know that isn't the case.

These visits of 'coming home' stir up a whole mess of feelings in me. When I lived here, my mom, my brother, and my sister were alive. And, although we were far from a close-knit family, family we were.
Right now, I breathe in the faint river smell and think. Right now, it is just me, the birds, the trees, and the water. I wonder how many stories have been absorbed by the dirt? I hope most are echoes of laughter and only happy tears.

So Reader, when was the last time you sat by the water in the woods? When you sat on a big as a house rock and counted how many different sounds you could hear? Spotted a vibrant yellow and black Goldfinch searching for the perfect spot for today's bath?
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We live in a hectic world and live busy lives but moments like this help with slowing down to rest our weary brains and bodies. As a known 'don't stop until you drop' gal, rest assured that I do make a point of just being so this broad can be ready for the next adventure.
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Enjoy your day.

"Our chronological age does not define us."

For all of my 2nd Act broads out there, check out this fantastic video by Helen Spence. This is a 75 year young broad challenging external and internalized gender ageism, big time.

As Helen points out, we learn that aging is 'bad' from childhood in many different ways and the anti-aging industry is a billion dollar one reinforcing it. I'll fess up: I use lotion to reduce wrinkles and yet when someone comments on how good I look for my age, I bristle. I suppose I have to do some work there. 😆

I love that she reinvented herself at 65 years and launched a social venture to challenge that status quo.

Some things to consider: as we age, our judgement improves; our perspectives broaden; our brains work better; we become more empathetic. And, I just love this, our productivity nor our creativity never expires.

I can't wait to experience the U Curve of Happiness she mentions and by embracing an optimistic mindset about aging can add 7 years to your life!

"Aging isn't a countdown, it is a count up." 💯

Watch it here: https://bit.ly/HelenSpence