Time has occupied so much of my thoughts lately. At 71, my entire being is fully aware, charged really, with the reality of being in the 'sacred final chapter' of life. It's humbling because the physical body reminds me daily, in aches and pains and, of course, the damn bathroom mirror, that time has shortened. Yet, there's so much life …
Time has occupied so much of my thoughts lately. At 71, my entire being is fully aware, charged really, with the reality of being in the 'sacred final chapter' of life. It's humbling because the physical body reminds me daily, in aches and pains and, of course, the damn bathroom mirror, that time has shortened. Yet, there's so much life yet offers me! It's energizing and I'm engaged, enthused and determined to finish with gratitude, love and adventure.
MaryBeth, I wonder if the gift of age, I am 78, helps us to appreciate the small breezes of grace that touch us in the course of a day and empower or awaken us to be a breeze of presence for someone else. May we always be “just in time” to be Grateful for the gift of LIFE!
The “breeze of presence” is such an intriguing prompt. Is it our own presence for which we seek a subtle sign? Or is it another’s? A known or unknown person?
Love your questions Jo. I wonder if when we truly encounter another, is that exchange of actual presence with another person or another part of creation what the “breeze of presence” actually is? Is that when our own presence encounters another presence and expands, breathes more deeply in recognition of life …
I have just turned 70. Not sure how I got here so quickly! I have named this time “My decade of once in a lifetime opportunities”. and plan to say yes. That may create some problems and difficulties but what do I have to lose at this time in my life? If nothing else, I will have awesome tales to tell!
for my 75th birthday -- and after 3 years in pandemic isolation -- I took myself to Biarritz France for a writer's workshop, and on to Normandie to fend for myself outside a structure. It wasn't easy but it was glorious. A month after getting back to San Francisco, there were some last minute openings with Padraig at Omega. I seized the opportunity. It was glorious. Also I got Covid there. Then, fortunately, I got better. Then, other things happened. I want to challenge myself to move outside the what ifs and the worries to live as fully as possible this last bit. I love your "My decade of once in a lifetime opportunities". Find them; seize them!
Gayle, you are my role model! It is so easy to get into your own head and self sabotage instead of just doing it, living it, loving it and at times, hating it. Thanks for the inspiration!
there's this little you tube video series called Beneath the Surface, where this 50-something year old couple Josh and his wife (sorry I don't remember her name) who live in Portland, and lived in California before that, and whose two sons are grown up, decide to upend their beautiful, stable, peaceful, and stagnant existence to move to Europe. They're both originally from Argentina so they speak fluent Spanish (of course) and fluent English, and decided they'll explore Europe for a year before deciding where to settle. There's a lot of self-reflection and good info about the challenges (and also the rewards) of such an endeavor. I take it (and all wonderful exploration -- mental and physical -- as inspiration. Fifty is different than 70 but that doesn't mean 70 means done. Check it out anyway, and let me know if you know any other videos of "elders" seizing the moments of their lives.
Hi Gayle! It was great being at Omega last fall (unfortunate about the COVID and glad you got better!). Thank you for describing your glorious adventure in France. You're inspiring, thank you. Good to see you here!
I'm 71 too MaryBeth, and you've described so perfectly how I feel, fully charged, aware, in some ways more alive than I've ever been, perhaps because I have the time to live it more fully. And more and more I feel "out of time," not that it's running out, but that time is just an illusion I don't believe in any more. So many of the comments below allude to this freeing sense of time. A fascinating subject. Love Eckhardt too.
Isn't it wonderful knowing that so many of us are enjoying the pleasures of being in our seventies? Something for the young to look forward to. Every stage of life has its gifts.
Hi MaryBeth: Came on this today Oct. 22nd, 2023. Through reading the tread on Padraig’s Sunday Substack. I am in your age zone, 72, and so aware of these days, each one, closer to the date of my death. This need to shout out how I can find grace in each day especially in the seemingly graceless moments. And how the death of dear beloveds is now not an exception. How they remind me to stay awake and begin again the story of my life each day. Thank you for your comment!
Time has occupied so much of my thoughts lately. At 71, my entire being is fully aware, charged really, with the reality of being in the 'sacred final chapter' of life. It's humbling because the physical body reminds me daily, in aches and pains and, of course, the damn bathroom mirror, that time has shortened. Yet, there's so much life yet offers me! It's energizing and I'm engaged, enthused and determined to finish with gratitude, love and adventure.
MaryBeth, I wonder if the gift of age, I am 78, helps us to appreciate the small breezes of grace that touch us in the course of a day and empower or awaken us to be a breeze of presence for someone else. May we always be “just in time” to be Grateful for the gift of LIFE!
I couldn't possibly say it any better, Mary. So I won't try. Those "small breezes of grace" are what I also treasure most.
The “breeze of presence” is such an intriguing prompt. Is it our own presence for which we seek a subtle sign? Or is it another’s? A known or unknown person?
Love your questions Jo. I wonder if when we truly encounter another, is that exchange of actual presence with another person or another part of creation what the “breeze of presence” actually is? Is that when our own presence encounters another presence and expands, breathes more deeply in recognition of life …
I have just turned 70. Not sure how I got here so quickly! I have named this time “My decade of once in a lifetime opportunities”. and plan to say yes. That may create some problems and difficulties but what do I have to lose at this time in my life? If nothing else, I will have awesome tales to tell!
for my 75th birthday -- and after 3 years in pandemic isolation -- I took myself to Biarritz France for a writer's workshop, and on to Normandie to fend for myself outside a structure. It wasn't easy but it was glorious. A month after getting back to San Francisco, there were some last minute openings with Padraig at Omega. I seized the opportunity. It was glorious. Also I got Covid there. Then, fortunately, I got better. Then, other things happened. I want to challenge myself to move outside the what ifs and the worries to live as fully as possible this last bit. I love your "My decade of once in a lifetime opportunities". Find them; seize them!
Gayle, you are my role model! It is so easy to get into your own head and self sabotage instead of just doing it, living it, loving it and at times, hating it. Thanks for the inspiration!
there's this little you tube video series called Beneath the Surface, where this 50-something year old couple Josh and his wife (sorry I don't remember her name) who live in Portland, and lived in California before that, and whose two sons are grown up, decide to upend their beautiful, stable, peaceful, and stagnant existence to move to Europe. They're both originally from Argentina so they speak fluent Spanish (of course) and fluent English, and decided they'll explore Europe for a year before deciding where to settle. There's a lot of self-reflection and good info about the challenges (and also the rewards) of such an endeavor. I take it (and all wonderful exploration -- mental and physical -- as inspiration. Fifty is different than 70 but that doesn't mean 70 means done. Check it out anyway, and let me know if you know any other videos of "elders" seizing the moments of their lives.
Hi Gayle! It was great being at Omega last fall (unfortunate about the COVID and glad you got better!). Thank you for describing your glorious adventure in France. You're inspiring, thank you. Good to see you here!
I'm 71 too MaryBeth, and you've described so perfectly how I feel, fully charged, aware, in some ways more alive than I've ever been, perhaps because I have the time to live it more fully. And more and more I feel "out of time," not that it's running out, but that time is just an illusion I don't believe in any more. So many of the comments below allude to this freeing sense of time. A fascinating subject. Love Eckhardt too.
me too. at 75, what you said here, Deborah. exactly. thank you for writing. I haven't read Meister Eckhardt yet. He goes on the list now.
Isn't it wonderful knowing that so many of us are enjoying the pleasures of being in our seventies? Something for the young to look forward to. Every stage of life has its gifts.
Thanks for blazing the way with joy for those of us following! I know I appreciate aging "like fine wine!"
Enthusiasm for life is wonderful!
Well said. I’m there with you.
Hi MaryBeth: Came on this today Oct. 22nd, 2023. Through reading the tread on Padraig’s Sunday Substack. I am in your age zone, 72, and so aware of these days, each one, closer to the date of my death. This need to shout out how I can find grace in each day especially in the seemingly graceless moments. And how the death of dear beloveds is now not an exception. How they remind me to stay awake and begin again the story of my life each day. Thank you for your comment!