“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” Erica Jong
This blog is a follow up to the one on stories. For most of us, the stories we grew up with are set in stone – that’s the way it was, that’s the way it is, that’s how it evermore shall be. It feels almost sacraligious to question or challenge that. And yet, as we now know, everything changes, and stories come from our hearts and wishes as well as our heads. Giving ourselves permission to create new stories, to rewrite old stories, to leave stories open-ended allows us to blossom and grow. And adds a lot of humor to our lives!
It never occurred to me I would have chin hair, or a flabby black as I aged – but I do, and its a riot sharing all this with girlfriends rather than feeling like these facts should stay hidden because they are so distasteful. Take a risk – share reality and have the comfort of being in this all together! Most of our parents were part of not just the Greatest Generation – but of the Silent Generation – so many things were unmentionable or just not shared with their children. What a relief to be able to open up about what we’re all going through, question it, and laugh about it together!
We are not advocating abject foolishness, poor investments, etc. But keeping up the status quo may not be as important as it used to be. Listen to your inner voice, focus on little hints of what might be FUN, or simply NEW, that you are curious about. As we have said before – if not now, when?
There is a freedom in aging that is yours to explore – classes, trips, food, dating. Some of it may freak your children out – know that comes from a place of love – they want us to be safe. But I don’t believe they want us to be bored out of our minds! Creating a life you relish is your very own task to do. Of course it will be filled with comforting routines where possible, but don’t forget a little spice! Talk to your friends about this – we are all in this together and encouraging each other to stay alive, alert, enthusiastic is all about taking risks in spite of our lessened energy. It’s much more fun to figure out good risk taking together than stew about it alone!
Ask yourself –
Have I taken ANY risks lately?
If so, what did I gain? What did I learn?
If not, what am I missing?
Do I have some buddies to share this adventure with?
Be risky, frisky and share some your own stories this week! Patty & Suzanne