Chronic Illness, Gratitude, Health, Life, Midlife Woman, Relationships, Self-Care

Beginnings and Endings

11 years ago today I underwent a 10-1/2 hour surgery that gave me my life back. I was reborn at the age of 52 with the promise of less pain, fewer hospitalizations, the ability to eat again, the ability to live again.

Midlife Transitions, Midlife Woman, Uncategorized

5 Things I Know About Letting Go

Letting go comes in two flavors: “passive letting go” and “active letting go.” One tastes like plain ol’ vanilla, the other Cherry Garcia: cherry ice cream with whole cherries and mega pieces of dark chocolate.

Chronic Illness, Divorce, Gratitude, Health, Life, Midlife Transitions, Midlife Woman, Relationships, Self-Care, Uncategorized

Starting Over – Again

The wheel on the hospital gurney made a continuous squeaking sound as they wheeled me down the hall to the operating room. It was one of those incessant noises that would normally drive me crazy, but for some reason that morning I found it comforting.

Aging, Health, Midlife Transitions, Midlife Woman, Self Development, Self-Care, Uncategorized

Why Self-Care is Not Selfish

Like many women, I thought of self-care as selfish or indulgent, served up with an undercurrent of guilt. It seemed extravagant – like a weekend at a spa, rather than emotional first aid of the highest order. Like the classic example flight attendants give about putting on your oxygen mask first before helping others, it’s important to tend to yourself first. 

Aging, Business Women, Life, Midlife Transitions, Midlife Woman, Self Development, Uncategorized

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

After talking with more than 100 women from all across the country, about 50% expressed concern that they were becoming marginalized because of their advancing years. The other 50% had no such concerns. In fact, I had to define more clearly and concisely what I meant by "invisible" in order for them to answer the question. It just wasn't on their radar.

Aging, Business Women, Career, Goals, Life, Midlife Transitions, Midlife Woman, Self Development, Self-Care, Uncategorized, Work+Life Fit

A Search for Significance

I wanted to get a better handle on what ignites a fire in the belly of a high-achieving, soul-driven midlife woman, and I wasn’t disappointed. Everyone I talked with was wonderfully open, unreservedly frank, and touchingly vulnerable. While these women may have taken any number of divergent paths as a result of choice or circumstance, there are a number of places where these various paths intersect, and when standing on that sacred ground, their voices sound particularly unified.