It started with a message in the private chat. Not a big one. Just a quiet celebration tucked into the morning thread. "I've started painting again…" And there it was. That word again. Passion.
Thank you for clarity, Monica. I will turn 72 next week. I bought myself a brand new flute for Christmas, as my flute from high school days is antique and unplayable. Last week I made the decision to retire this coming fall, and notified HR. I had been marveling at my own growth points and now I realize, with your help, that I’ve been listening to the whispers of my soul!! My ears are going to stay open going forward.
There you go again Monica, talking about me behind my back! How DO you dig up this dirt on total strangers lol? Every time I read your Substack, there’s a line or 10 that grab me. This morning it was: “because they saw the light flicker in someone else and said, maybe me too.”
That’s exactly what happened to me just before turning 69. A colleague was musing about chucking it all and changing their career. My knee jerk reaction was why would you walk away from an established career at your age… and within a nanosecond it flipped to “Why the hell not?” But I wasn’t just thinking of them. Within days I started writing a book, which is now approaching publication, ideas for course and product ideas are overflowing and I’m getting close to launching. Along the way I’ve discovered passion, purpose and joy.
If you knew me - and my saracism I would say " it's a gift". Honestly, I think it comes from observing women for 40 years............ just watching......
It is definitely a gift and that isn’t sarcasm lol! One of the things I’m absolutely loving about aging is the growing sense of freedom, and joy. It feels like I am mining a lifetime of observation and stringing amber beads of insight and creativity into a necklace of wisdom.
I’ve just started writing again, age 71, slowly finding my way on Substack after a year of silence where my chronic illness got worse, the Muse seemed to have vanished, and my websites turned to dust. Now the inner angst and pain of loss I was experiencing is diminishing because I’m finally making space for words, for poetry, for creating images and letting my creativity flourish despite the tough stuff still being a huge part of my life. I’m making room for me, for the possibility of birthing a new book this year. I’m so grateful for your inspirational posts, Monica. They help me stay on track. Thank you!
Yes Monica! Keep dropping those pebbles into the water. .the ripples are having a wonderful affect. .many will likely remain 'invisible' but very real nevertheless. Thank you 🎶🦋❤️🔥🫂🎉
Monica, I love everything you’re saying except I object to the fact that you’re not going upwards in the years. I’m 80 years old and I am still writing books, still painting, still leading workshops, and still having adventures. I’ll be 81 in March and it took me quite a while to get past my own internalized ageism. Finally, I got pissed off enough. I decided to redefine 80. I had a crowning ceremony when I was 70 and I have now offered crowning ceremonies to other women in my community who demonstrate wisdom and compassion. My body is working well, I love where I live, I love my independence. If you ever wanna confer with an older crown, I’m here. Thank you for all you’re doing.
Damn! I love the crowning ceremony idea! I don't write about an age I have not yet been. So when you do write from your perpsective please be sure to tag me. And thank you for becoming a paid subscriber.
TRUTHS! I think of you as my cheerleader Monica. My rediscovery of my love for art, painting and writing, came 2 summers ago while we were at our every June vacation rental. I had packed art supplies to enjoy with my grandkids, and the spark was reignited. Drawing, painting was a great way to connect with my grandkids, and to share my knowledge with them. One of my granddaughters is extremely talented, and we could spend all afternoon working on art pieces. By the time our month at the beach was up, I had formulated a plan to start doing art daily once I was back home. As I tend to do, I dove right in, buying samples of watercolors, acrylics, pens, colored pencils, etc. Then I found the lump in my neck, the lymph node that signaled the return of my Lymphoma. I became quite ill quickly with the dreaded b-symptoms. The fatigue that accompanies cancer is indescribable, making it from the sofa to the bathroom to attend to one’s needs feels like climbing Mt. Everest. The art supplies sat while I went through intense treatment to try to achieve remission once again. Once I entered the maintenance phase last February, and my energy levels rose, I started with the watercolors I had purchased. Loving them because I can do a little piece of artwork in an hour or so. My goal is to do it daily, but some days I don’t get there because I am not feeling well from treatment. Some days, are just days like we all have, life gets in the way. Som days I feel discouraged with my own circumstances, yet I am ALWAYS bolstered by your posts. You remind me that I am The Little Engine That Could.” My kids and some friends think I should turn my mini watercolor pieces into note cards to offer for sale in my Etsy shop. I have been hesitant. Today you have given me the impetuous to research my options to do so. Thank you my friend😘❤️
Oooh! Thank you! I needed this boost. I’m going to pick up my knitting. And I’m going to knit something for me. A couple of years ago, I got brave enough to drag my husband onto a knitting cruise! It was five days of wonderful food, others making my bed, and a morning and an afternoon class for me to go and learn brioche knitting. It took me a year and a bunch of money to finish the shawl I made, but I kept at it. Now I love to wear it!
Since that, I’ve been knitting and crocheting stuff for others, but the kid in me is dragging. After 4 baby blankets, 4 unfinished hats. I’ve just lost the love I have for it. But I think it’s because it has become an obligation to others. This is meant to be mine…for me u til my heart says otherwise.
The little girl inside me is smiling at going and finding something to make for me! 😊. And I may even try to find another knitting adventure—just for the fun of it!
Thank you for your timely post. I was attended a woman’s meeting last night, and introduced the topic of spirit. Most of the women spoke of how they had lost spirit in the “grind” and other obligations.
Thank you for this forum and creating a space for the voices to speak and grow. It’s beautiful. It’s a call to live fully, and the world can nip at your heels when you do that. We won’t let them!!
Thank you for clarity, Monica. I will turn 72 next week. I bought myself a brand new flute for Christmas, as my flute from high school days is antique and unplayable. Last week I made the decision to retire this coming fall, and notified HR. I had been marveling at my own growth points and now I realize, with your help, that I’ve been listening to the whispers of my soul!! My ears are going to stay open going forward.
There you go again Monica, talking about me behind my back! How DO you dig up this dirt on total strangers lol? Every time I read your Substack, there’s a line or 10 that grab me. This morning it was: “because they saw the light flicker in someone else and said, maybe me too.”
That’s exactly what happened to me just before turning 69. A colleague was musing about chucking it all and changing their career. My knee jerk reaction was why would you walk away from an established career at your age… and within a nanosecond it flipped to “Why the hell not?” But I wasn’t just thinking of them. Within days I started writing a book, which is now approaching publication, ideas for course and product ideas are overflowing and I’m getting close to launching. Along the way I’ve discovered passion, purpose and joy.
If you knew me - and my saracism I would say " it's a gift". Honestly, I think it comes from observing women for 40 years............ just watching......
It is definitely a gift and that isn’t sarcasm lol! One of the things I’m absolutely loving about aging is the growing sense of freedom, and joy. It feels like I am mining a lifetime of observation and stringing amber beads of insight and creativity into a necklace of wisdom.
Well this is the most lovely thing I’ve read about aging in a long time. Thank you!
That touched me deeply. Thank you @KristenJarnesBrowning.
This was key for me. Saying no to the things that everybody else wanted or said I should do cleared space for me to listen.
Start with: What do I NOT want?”
Wow! Thank you Monica! This one hit deep!
Poetry and photography, oh and brevity
I’ve just started writing again, age 71, slowly finding my way on Substack after a year of silence where my chronic illness got worse, the Muse seemed to have vanished, and my websites turned to dust. Now the inner angst and pain of loss I was experiencing is diminishing because I’m finally making space for words, for poetry, for creating images and letting my creativity flourish despite the tough stuff still being a huge part of my life. I’m making room for me, for the possibility of birthing a new book this year. I’m so grateful for your inspirational posts, Monica. They help me stay on track. Thank you!
Word, Sister!! Thank you. ❤️
Yes Monica! Keep dropping those pebbles into the water. .the ripples are having a wonderful affect. .many will likely remain 'invisible' but very real nevertheless. Thank you 🎶🦋❤️🔥🫂🎉
Monica, I love everything you’re saying except I object to the fact that you’re not going upwards in the years. I’m 80 years old and I am still writing books, still painting, still leading workshops, and still having adventures. I’ll be 81 in March and it took me quite a while to get past my own internalized ageism. Finally, I got pissed off enough. I decided to redefine 80. I had a crowning ceremony when I was 70 and I have now offered crowning ceremonies to other women in my community who demonstrate wisdom and compassion. My body is working well, I love where I live, I love my independence. If you ever wanna confer with an older crown, I’m here. Thank you for all you’re doing.
Damn! I love the crowning ceremony idea! I don't write about an age I have not yet been. So when you do write from your perpsective please be sure to tag me. And thank you for becoming a paid subscriber.
TRUTHS! I think of you as my cheerleader Monica. My rediscovery of my love for art, painting and writing, came 2 summers ago while we were at our every June vacation rental. I had packed art supplies to enjoy with my grandkids, and the spark was reignited. Drawing, painting was a great way to connect with my grandkids, and to share my knowledge with them. One of my granddaughters is extremely talented, and we could spend all afternoon working on art pieces. By the time our month at the beach was up, I had formulated a plan to start doing art daily once I was back home. As I tend to do, I dove right in, buying samples of watercolors, acrylics, pens, colored pencils, etc. Then I found the lump in my neck, the lymph node that signaled the return of my Lymphoma. I became quite ill quickly with the dreaded b-symptoms. The fatigue that accompanies cancer is indescribable, making it from the sofa to the bathroom to attend to one’s needs feels like climbing Mt. Everest. The art supplies sat while I went through intense treatment to try to achieve remission once again. Once I entered the maintenance phase last February, and my energy levels rose, I started with the watercolors I had purchased. Loving them because I can do a little piece of artwork in an hour or so. My goal is to do it daily, but some days I don’t get there because I am not feeling well from treatment. Some days, are just days like we all have, life gets in the way. Som days I feel discouraged with my own circumstances, yet I am ALWAYS bolstered by your posts. You remind me that I am The Little Engine That Could.” My kids and some friends think I should turn my mini watercolor pieces into note cards to offer for sale in my Etsy shop. I have been hesitant. Today you have given me the impetuous to research my options to do so. Thank you my friend😘❤️
Oooh! Thank you! I needed this boost. I’m going to pick up my knitting. And I’m going to knit something for me. A couple of years ago, I got brave enough to drag my husband onto a knitting cruise! It was five days of wonderful food, others making my bed, and a morning and an afternoon class for me to go and learn brioche knitting. It took me a year and a bunch of money to finish the shawl I made, but I kept at it. Now I love to wear it!
Since that, I’ve been knitting and crocheting stuff for others, but the kid in me is dragging. After 4 baby blankets, 4 unfinished hats. I’ve just lost the love I have for it. But I think it’s because it has become an obligation to others. This is meant to be mine…for me u til my heart says otherwise.
The little girl inside me is smiling at going and finding something to make for me! 😊. And I may even try to find another knitting adventure—just for the fun of it!
Thank you for your timely post. I was attended a woman’s meeting last night, and introduced the topic of spirit. Most of the women spoke of how they had lost spirit in the “grind” and other obligations.
Thank you for this forum and creating a space for the voices to speak and grow. It’s beautiful. It’s a call to live fully, and the world can nip at your heels when you do that. We won’t let them!!