New Chapters and Stages
I thought it would be hard. I thought it would be a big, life changing moment.
Turning 50.
The reality is that it was peaceful. It was relaxing. I turned 50 this week. Jimmy and I spent a relaxing weekend in a little Airbnb on the Tennessee River.
Without work. Without a schedule. Without distractions.
And I rested!
I am easing into this new phase of life. Embracing its beauty and its challenges.
The wisdom that comes with age and life experience isn’t something to be wished away by remembering moments of youth or wishing for what is past.
“The wiser mind mourns less for what age takes away than what it leaves behind.”
- William Wordsworth
Some people feel that you should fight age. As if it’s something within our control. And if that’s your view, keep up the good fight. I just don’t share that opinion.
I agree with what Betty White said.
“Don’t try to be young. Just open your mind. Stay interested in stuff. There are so many things I won’t live long enough to find out about, but I’m still curious about them. You know people who are already saying, ‘I’m going to be 30, - Oh what am I going to do?’ Well, use that decade! Use them all!”
- Betty White
I thank God for another year to love my family, and to share some of what I’ve learned about life and about my work. Age is a gift that everyone isn’t afforded. Age is an opportunity to share knowledge and insight. And that is exactly how I plan to use this next decade. And to also schedule more time for rest!
As I move into the next phase of life, one of my goals is to allow more time for rest. And to keep learning.
I’ve always worked hard. Working hard and keeping my mind set on tasks that needed to be completed has been the thing that got me through some very difficult times in life. But that pace leads to burnout. And a very unbalanced life.
I’m learning how to be ok with taking breaks and not feeling guilty about it. I’m learning how necessary it is to find a balance in work and rest. Not only for my own health and wellness, but also for my relationships.
I’m learning that whatever worst case scenarios or catastrophes my mind dreams up, they can never be too big or overwhelming to be a match for the love that my God has for me. I can rest in Him knowing that His perfect love casts out fear. It’s a concept that has taken so many years for me to grasp. And I still don’t fully understand it. But I’m actively pursuing and learning about it every day.
I’m learning how to be present and to see each day, each moment, as a gift. When you have a tendency to look towards the future, and everything that needs to be done, it’s hard to be present in the moment. It’s something that I’m still learning how to do better. The process of learning how to let go of the heavier things that weigh on my mind, and reconnecting to the joy of the moment is liberating and freeing. And sometimes it requires help to get there.
I’m learning that it’s ok to ask for help. I’m working with a coach this year. She’s a farming coach, but I feel like she’s more of a life coach for me. I’ve already learned so much about scheduling free time, and making space in my life for rest.
Turning 50 has been a wonderful experience for me. I’ve had a lot of bumps and bruises on the path to get to this point, but I’ve learned so much on this journey. I plan to continue my pursuit of learning and growing. I plan to give myself more compassion moving forward. And I plan to keep smiling along the way.
You keep on smiling too, flower friend!