The Bottom of the Third… of My Life!

As one of the qualifying Baby Boomers…I am about to enter what I am calling the BOTT (or, the bottom of the third)  of my life.  I know, good sports’ analogy, right?  I am excited! I know the bases are loaded and I’m psyched. In my head, I am still young, funny, athletic, and bright.  Then I look in the mirror and realize painfully that one fourth of those is gone.  Yup, you know it’s the first one.  Well, three quarters of a whole isn’t all that bad.   I can still remember staying up all night, rock concerts, and mini skirts being the mainstay of my life… as if it was yesterday.  Many of you can share in this.  If you can’t, then you certainly have your own several things that will be carried with you as the fondest of memories for the rest of your life.  When you’re young, you’re cool.  When you’re older, you rule. I made up that phrase just now, but it’s a good one, I think.

For many years, I raised my own children (and many others as well) within my classroom walls.  It was a prideful thing when I knew that it was a job well done.  Now, my adventure(s) will be just for myself and those whom I love.  It is not nearly so important that “everyone” like me in the bottom of the third as it used to be.  It is more important that I continue to work on being pleased with myself and my efforts as a human being. In this third, I still have much to learn.  Each day, I am aware just how Blessed I have been.  True, there are as many lows as there are highs, but I get to actually feel every one.  Hopefully, I have grown from each test and challenge.  Some of my own life negatives and positives, I write about.  It is done so in the hopes that many will realize they are not alone.

I write about things that I believe we as human beings have in common with each other.  It has become so apparent over the years that at the end of our times here on Earth, each of us will have experienced as many days of happiness as days of sorrow. It is dealt to each of us differently and in different periods of our existence, but it’s equality at its best.   In spite of outward perceptions, no one has it all!  When I was younger, I didn’t “get that” but I sure do now in the BOT.  Recently, it was made known to me that what I write is “huge” in other countries.  I didn’t understand why!  But, upon closer examination, I realized that I could say/ write things in America, that perhaps, were not able to be said (revealed) in other areas of the world.  Again, is this part of the plan of my life?  I believe so.

There are so many wonderful people that I encounter in all aspects of my life.  Each one has a different story, yet each has an unseemly parallel to each other.  My heart is filled with such good feeling towards my fellow man and grows with each passing day.  It’s easier to love they neighbor, than to hate them.  People are wonderful and each day I learn something new that enriches me.  My guess is that all these realizations I am experiencing are part of God’s greater plan during our visit here on Earth.

As I enter the BOTT, I do so with strong conviction and solid goals.  I may not look exactly the same, my body may have a few aches and pains, but life is better than it’s ever been.

Endurance in Life!

Endurance – Keep Going!

When a long journey begins, or when a quest is undertaken, be it a pilgrimage of spirit or an ambition, desire, or hope… there is the excitement of the beginning… the unknown still lies before us.  But at some stage, we tire. The terrain can become unfamiliar. Issues arise, challenges greet us, and at this point, too many  feel that this must not be meant to be – for we have told ourself that if it is truly meant to be, it will be  easy.  This is not always the case.

We are here to share that for all creatures, and in both the seen and unseen worlds, there are parts of the “great journey” that require: stamina,  courage and endurance – our ability to commit, and to stay with the task until we have made it. Do not enter into  challenges lightly – enter into them, if at all, wholeheartedly. 

Without what we describe as “a challenge,” there will be no growth. If we work through the challenges, we will emerge stronger, and then be more able to realize the next dream. If we run at the first sign of difficulty, we will never forget it; it will be considered a personal failure.  Perhaps, the time has come for us to build up your endurance. Commit. Practice. Train!  No matter what the goal… give it our all. That’s endurance of thought, word, or deed.

We may believe we are weak mentally or physically unable to complete a task. We may be committed to believing that there is no way our “strength” can increase. It is usually not  about our physicality – so often, it is the amazing endurance of Spirit and Soul. Our creative force  requires the ability to go that little bit further, to reach a little harder, to extend ourselves, to go well beyond our individual comfort zones.

The second part of our strength is preparing itself, and will come through, just at the point we are ready to give up. Keep going.  And we can go so much further than we believe we can!  This is not the time to turn back or to allow the challenges/ tests to take us.

This is the time to continue the journey you committed to – because you are being tested and you can pass this test. But you must keep going.  Eyes forward. Intention focused. Purpose clear!

 

NEW YOU; NEW U.S. 2017

New Year; new choices, new attitudes!

The reason everyone is wished a “Happy” New Year is quite special. It is because we hopefully grasp the simplicity of the concept that in the new year, as opposed to the old one, we can all literally wipe our lives clean of all the negatives… and start fresh. The new year can be one of personal change and growth. How amazing is that?

The wonderful thing about being human is that all of us have the power of “choice.” This applies to everything in our lives, basically from the moment we enter adulthood. Before that time we live under the dictates of adult “supervision.” To hold another accountable for either the good and/or bad in our own lives is ridiculous. It is also disrespectful to our Creator. In my writings over the past two decades, I have never professed to have all the answers, but I do have a great deal of human interaction, experience, and an academic background that speaks for itself.

I share my own insight and path in hopes that it helps others too. It has by the huge amounts of positive feedback I get at lectures, in person, and via email. However, we all have the right to CHOOSE our own path. I have never had all the answers and never will.

Think of it! We can choose how we live our lives and be in full control of the decisions we make each and every day. Each sunrise we are offered a brand new opportunity to start over with our choices. Each new year, we also get to start over! No one can make us stop being in another’s life; there must be a reason(s) and it is based on personal choice. No one can force us to eat or drink too much unless we want to; it’s our choice. No one can make us good, productive people. It is also, our choice.

Likewise, no one can make us whole, happy, and a contributor to the lives of others. We must find that path ourselves. With this gift of CHOICE comes great responsibility. It is true…no one knows what goes on in another’s life. That goes in both directions. May we all choose the higher ground for this clean, unblemished year.

May we all live this year well.

Sue