Hi Gary - my husband and I were talking about this yesterday - I wonder if a lot of the stress and worry we carry is because we're too "connected"? The world and all its worries is right there at our fingertips and we have so much bombarding us from everywhere. I'm trying to engage less with events that are out of my control, and to be more present and more focused on my actual life and the people and situations that I can engage with from a genuine and heartfelt level.
I leave the big stuff to the big people and it gives me a greater sense of calm and far less worry. It took me a long time to learn to worry less and to know what's mine to carry, and what I can put down.
First HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Happy Year Ahead filled with more gratitude, grace and giving. You’re good at that! So what will you make of your 64th year beginning November 5? So many choices and engaging at a heartfelt level is another gift. I remember 64 as if it were yesterday when in fact it was 23 years ago and I am often “surprised” I have a daughter who will complete 62 in December. Not really and we joke about it often. I agree that too much tech and too many connections are not necessarily good for the soul. I try and manage a limited number and do that with genuine presence and authenticity. Substack has increased the number and so far, so good, I don’t spend all day or every day here by any means.
I enjoyed listening to the Thich Nat Hanh talk. I have been retired for over three years and maybe am just beginning to give myself permission to be still. I have been a type A personality and have overworked for many many years. I had a highly stressful job that I loved. So retirement hasn't been "a piece of cake" for me. However, I am starting to settle in and enjoy the slowness that I am creating with walks, reading, morning meditation of my making, cooking, and some traveling. I am hopeful that given more time and posts like this I will become the turtle! Thank you!
Linda, I am also a type A overworked woman who is struggling to enjoy retirement. I spent so long doing everything, self employed, single mom - only parent, and being everything, I find it hard enjoy not being active even when I am fatigued.
Thank you for this lovely post Gary. It truly resonated and was much needed reinforcement today as I put aside the urge to leave the house and gave myself over to the couch for a couple of hours of laughs with 2 of my favorite actresses on Netflix.
Self care is not selfish. It’s smart We need to listen to our bodies and pay attention to the signals, not try and ignore and override them with our whatever you want to call it, maybe stubbornness (?) and pay the price afterwards.
Yes, we do need to listen to our bodies. I am still adjusting to my body needing more time to rest and still thinking I am much younger than I am at times. Thank you Gary! Perhaps I have a bit of a stubborn streak at times, I am willful, for sure. :)
Tomorrow and the days to come are unlikely to be uneventful. I will keep your post close by, thank you, Gary.
Hi Gary - my husband and I were talking about this yesterday - I wonder if a lot of the stress and worry we carry is because we're too "connected"? The world and all its worries is right there at our fingertips and we have so much bombarding us from everywhere. I'm trying to engage less with events that are out of my control, and to be more present and more focused on my actual life and the people and situations that I can engage with from a genuine and heartfelt level.
I leave the big stuff to the big people and it gives me a greater sense of calm and far less worry. It took me a long time to learn to worry less and to know what's mine to carry, and what I can put down.
First HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Happy Year Ahead filled with more gratitude, grace and giving. You’re good at that! So what will you make of your 64th year beginning November 5? So many choices and engaging at a heartfelt level is another gift. I remember 64 as if it were yesterday when in fact it was 23 years ago and I am often “surprised” I have a daughter who will complete 62 in December. Not really and we joke about it often. I agree that too much tech and too many connections are not necessarily good for the soul. I try and manage a limited number and do that with genuine presence and authenticity. Substack has increased the number and so far, so good, I don’t spend all day or every day here by any means.
I enjoyed listening to the Thich Nat Hanh talk. I have been retired for over three years and maybe am just beginning to give myself permission to be still. I have been a type A personality and have overworked for many many years. I had a highly stressful job that I loved. So retirement hasn't been "a piece of cake" for me. However, I am starting to settle in and enjoy the slowness that I am creating with walks, reading, morning meditation of my making, cooking, and some traveling. I am hopeful that given more time and posts like this I will become the turtle! Thank you!
It's a shift and a transition from Type A to go a little slower and become Type B, a little more relxxed and easy going.
Linda, I am also a type A overworked woman who is struggling to enjoy retirement. I spent so long doing everything, self employed, single mom - only parent, and being everything, I find it hard enjoy not being active even when I am fatigued.
Anytime anyone quotes from John O’Donohue, I’m all in. But I’m always all in wherever you are Gary. Thank you.
Thank you for this lovely post Gary. It truly resonated and was much needed reinforcement today as I put aside the urge to leave the house and gave myself over to the couch for a couple of hours of laughs with 2 of my favorite actresses on Netflix.
Self care is not selfish. It’s smart We need to listen to our bodies and pay attention to the signals, not try and ignore and override them with our whatever you want to call it, maybe stubbornness (?) and pay the price afterwards.
Yes, we do need to listen to our bodies. I am still adjusting to my body needing more time to rest and still thinking I am much younger than I am at times. Thank you Gary! Perhaps I have a bit of a stubborn streak at times, I am willful, for sure. :)
Willful is good, like many other strengths, if not overused to our disadvantage.
Absolutely right on, my friend, Gary! Excellent advice all around. 🙏💚
Gary- This is a hopeful piece filled with all the wholesomeness of humanity. May you, too, have a long road of meaning. Thanks for sharing this.