During this Pandemic it is all about Choice!

My Choice! Carpe Diem!

Gazing out to the clear dawn sky, I laid in bed at 6:15 a.m. listening to the wind thinking, hmmm, after a fairly decent sleep, do I wallow in the comfort and try to fall back asleep or Carpe Diem?

I chose to kick my butt out of bed and get blogging. A perfect time while Mark continued to snore and I could collect my thoughts in silence without distraction (plus drinking my lemon water I could distract myself, holding off on coffee and breakfast so that I meet my 12 hour fast from wine and pizza night from the night before).

Reflecting on this week and the power of choice, I realized that more than ever during this pandemic, for many of us retirees, pre-pandemic we filled our lives with external commitments. Yes, pre-Covid, we ultimately made choices, but they often were choices that were presented to us that required little of our own initiative (invites from friends and family, travel options, scheduled creativity/fitness classes, partner/spouse-initiated activities, etc.). For many of us, we have kept a busy pace that in some ways hasn’t deviated too much from the busy scheduling of work life. Now, given many of us are limiting our bubble, our worlds have shrunk and seeping serene silence sends shivers to our core.  (This alliteration is inspiring a poem lol)

Last week I watched Stevie Nicks on Jane Pauley CBS Sunday Morning. She reflected on how Covid has greatly halted momentum in her second late career blossoming and how challenging it is for many seniors who are trying to live a full, creative and purposeful life, acknowledging that time is limited. Although she voices her frustration, you can see that she is determined to figure things out and choose to keep moving with purpose and creativity.

Last night we watched the documentary on the phenomenal 98-year-old Betty White. This documentary is gobsmacking inspiring! Nothing is stopping this high energy and optimistic senior. Again, the lesson when there is a wall, pause, think …. do you go under, over, walk around or walk away finding another path? It’s the path of resilience and flow. Betty White flows with resilience, grace, play and optimism.

Overall, this was a quieter week. A week of fitness routines, watching the news updates on the US election, off and on election banter with Mark, which at times was a touch tense. Why? Although Mark agrees it was time for Trump to go, he did find him entertaining, liked that he pushed back against the political status quo, did think that he accomplished some significant changes and did find a sympathy for him due to the exceptional bias shown by liberal media outlets (I do agree that many of the ‘compassionate, inclusive, equitable, democrats’ projected great hate and refused to unite as Americans during Trump’s presidency). I found myself at times, looking at Mark with exhaustion, curtly saying that I couldn’t listen to anymore election reflection. I was done! (I didn’t share the full level of my anger on film) I can’t imagine, during this time of CoVid, what it was like in US households where partners held opposing political views. Yikes! Possibly a trigger for marriage unrest? We are both looking forward to the rest given the election is over. I’m so happy that Trump and US politics will not be at the forefront of our conversations.

Mark and I have both commented on how sunshine and light can make much a significant difference in our perspective and motivation. Friday was such a brilliant day! Both of us, were infused with tremendous energy. Our adventure day out to Jordan River and French Beach was a reminder that we need to Carpe Diem rain or shine! We can sit around a talk or we can follow the example of the likes of White and Nicks and make a choice to engage and explore!

Quick Take Away Links

During this Pandemic it is all about Choice!

My Choice! Carpe Diem!

Gazing out to the clear dawn sky, I laid in bed at 6:15 a.m. listening to the wind thinking, hmmm, after a fairly decent sleep, do I wallow in the comfort and try to fall back asleep or Carpe Diem?

I chose to kick my butt out of bed and get blogging. A perfect time while Mark continued to snore and I could collect my thoughts in silence without distraction (plus drinking my lemon water I could distract myself, holding off on coffee and breakfast so that I meet my 12 hour fast from wine and pizza night from the night before).

Reflecting on this week and the power of choice, I realized that more than ever during this pandemic, for many of us retirees, pre-pandemic we filled our lives with external commitments. Yes, pre-Covid, we ultimately made choices, but they often were choices that were presented to us that required little of our own initiative (invites from friends and family, travel options, scheduled creativity/fitness classes, partner/spouse-initiated activities, etc.). For many of us, we have kept a busy pace that in some ways hasn’t deviated too much from the busy scheduling of work life. Now, given many of us are limiting our bubble, our worlds have shrunk and seeping serene silence sends shivers to our core.  (This alliteration is inspiring a poem lol)

Last week I watched Stevie Nicks on Jane Pauley CBS Sunday Morning. She reflected on how Covid has greatly halted momentum in her second late career blossoming and how challenging it is for many seniors who are trying to live a full, creative and purposeful life, acknowledging that time is limited. Although she voices her frustration, you can see that she is determined to figure things out and choose to keep moving with purpose and creativity.

Last night we watched the documentary on the phenomenal 98-year-old Betty White. This documentary is gobsmacking inspiring! Nothing is stopping this high energy and optimistic senior. Again, the lesson when there is a wall, pause, think …. do you go under, over, walk around or walk away finding another path? It’s the path of resilience and flow. Betty White flows with resilience, grace, play and optimism.

Overall, this was a quieter week. A week of fitness routines, watching the news updates on the US election, off and on election banter with Mark, which at times was a touch tense. Why? Although Mark agrees it was time for Trump to go, he did find him entertaining, liked that he pushed back against the political status quo, did think that he accomplished some significant changes and did find a sympathy for him due to the exceptional bias shown by liberal media outlets (I do agree that many of the ‘compassionate, inclusive, equitable, democrats’ projected great hate and refused to unite as Americans during Trump’s presidency). I found myself at times, looking at Mark with exhaustion, curtly saying that I couldn’t listen to anymore election reflection. I was done! (I didn’t share the full level of my anger on film) I can’t imagine, during this time of CoVid, what it was like in US households where partners held opposing political views. Yikes! Possibly a trigger for marriage unrest? We are both looking forward to the rest given the election is over. I’m so happy that Trump and US politics will not be at the forefront of our conversations.

Mark and I have both commented on how sunshine and light can make much a significant difference in our perspective and motivation. Friday was such a brilliant day! Both of us, were infused with tremendous energy. Our adventure day out to Jordan River and French Beach was a reminder that we need to Carpe Diem rain or shine! We can sit around a talk or we can follow the example of the likes of White and Nicks and make a choice to engage and explore!

Quick Take Away Links