I wish that I could find the words to describe what your writing evokes within me. Like something slightly elusive, spritual, profoundly moving. As if I am there experiencing it all, too. You truly have a gift.
Your newsletters always make me think. This one makes me want to argue, LOL. How can a city have a scent? And what a genius marketing ploy! I then remember post-COVID, hearing about those who had lost their sense of smell (anosmia), perhaps permanently, and the scent re-training that was being tried. You'd sniff vials of pure, known fragrances (lemon, clove, eucalyptus) and rewire your brain into recognizing scents again. I really loved this idea. Olfactory training -- who knew?!
I think that life transitions help us to see those things we might have missed in earlier lives. For me, that makes ageing so much juicer, so much richer. Always something new to discover - if we are curious.
I think that sometimes that anger is a way to rip that bandaid off so we can restructure our relationship with what no longer completely works. I like the part where the anger subsides and the restructuring of the parts we truly value happens--it's like the release of your breath after you've held it as long as you could.
This winter was harsh in my area and I find my thoughts followed the weather. As spring breaks I am enamored of listening to the birds at sunrise and sunset in a way I have never been before. Being outside matters more to me. I have the sense I am blossoming into something else this year.
I've always liked the idea of meaning and productivity found in anger. I love this idea that it can lead to a relationship renaissance. That's optimistic and helps to combat the shame I can often associate with anger.
I, too, have a “love/hate” relationship with my former selves. The “hate” arises as there was a long period where I lost my essence to pursue a hollow goal measured by job prestige and outward signs of success. The “love” comes from knowing whoever I was before, is part of the recipe of who I am today, capturing that essence of the best part of where I have been, seasoned with where I have been, and ready for however my evolution takes me. Thank you for another stellar post!
So much inspiration here. My life is so quiet now that I am retired. No more getting up at 5 AM to run, drive to Queens to run a psych ward. several months ago I adopted a little stray cat, he wakes me up now in the early mornings. sometimes I will get up as well and make a cup of tea, check my emails. lately allowing myself to to return to bed and I will fall into a dream, not quite fully asleep or awake. I go to places I have not been and have relationships with people I have not met. I can be a comfort and inspiration. Nature these last weeks has been amazing, as always, more more important this year as not only has the world been so dark and barren. I am talking here not just of nature but the direction of our country. Seeing the world in bloom again gives me hope.
I love this life for you. Interesting I have never been more obsessed with planting new growth this year, it's totally related and a countermeasure to how I feel about what's happening in this country. Thanks for the insight.
I can see the world around you in magnified presence--yet YOUR world is a grainy, zoom-in and blurred lines. This prevailing study of seeking, in your airy, meandering, has this morning, sharpened my desires into crisp, flat conclusions. Your annotated text gives way to my table of contents. I've needed to pull it all together. Your wonder--and maybe it's the mirror put up to my jumble--is the companion to clearing my way.
Your writing always grounds me and gives me peace about this thing called age. The way you embrace it, even with a little rebellion, reminds me that it can be a time of enlightenment and finding who I really am instead of having to answer to who I'm expected to be. Like you, at times I feel comforted by the slow down, other times it scares me. Thank you for sharing.
Getting old is inevitable despite what society tries to convey. robbing us of the peace and wisdom to be found in this time of life is not an action we should accept.
Always love your writing! You are still an icon...just not an accidental one :) Sounds like you are in a time of transition, and sitting with the unknown with no clear path forward is one of the hardest things to find peace with. However, it is clear from your writing that you are forging a path, and I'm sure it will lead you somewhere fulfilling and joyful!
Thought provoking to be sure. My writing may be a little less elegant, but my subject is ageing gracefully, filling up my dance card as I move along in life, using my earned wisdom to be sure I never miss a step!
Morning... I had your article in my queue to read and finally finished it. Ah, another great. I can so relate, perhaps because I feel some of the same as I work in my Shed. It's something about spending time in my Shed that brings forth so much good. I love your writings Lyn. It's amazing to witness your transformation. You go girl! Looking forward to your next writing. Have a fun, thought provoking day in your Shed.
Hi Lyn,
Another powerful and thought provoking blog. Thank you for your gift of writing and sharing the latest chapter in your life journey.
I wish that I could find the words to describe what your writing evokes within me. Like something slightly elusive, spritual, profoundly moving. As if I am there experiencing it all, too. You truly have a gift.
Words fail me in the face of such an enormous compliment. Heartfelt thanks.
Love this, I appreciate all of the info! I’ve been wondering about the simplest route!
Your newsletters always make me think. This one makes me want to argue, LOL. How can a city have a scent? And what a genius marketing ploy! I then remember post-COVID, hearing about those who had lost their sense of smell (anosmia), perhaps permanently, and the scent re-training that was being tried. You'd sniff vials of pure, known fragrances (lemon, clove, eucalyptus) and rewire your brain into recognizing scents again. I really loved this idea. Olfactory training -- who knew?!
Yes indeed a genius marketing ploy for those with fanciful imaginations like me lol
I think that life transitions help us to see those things we might have missed in earlier lives. For me, that makes ageing so much juicer, so much richer. Always something new to discover - if we are curious.
Remaining curious is the key.
I think that sometimes that anger is a way to rip that bandaid off so we can restructure our relationship with what no longer completely works. I like the part where the anger subsides and the restructuring of the parts we truly value happens--it's like the release of your breath after you've held it as long as you could.
This winter was harsh in my area and I find my thoughts followed the weather. As spring breaks I am enamored of listening to the birds at sunrise and sunset in a way I have never been before. Being outside matters more to me. I have the sense I am blossoming into something else this year.
Such lovely writing, thank you.
I've always liked the idea of meaning and productivity found in anger. I love this idea that it can lead to a relationship renaissance. That's optimistic and helps to combat the shame I can often associate with anger.
Well said. Women are often conditioned to feel guilty and shameful about it.
I, too, have a “love/hate” relationship with my former selves. The “hate” arises as there was a long period where I lost my essence to pursue a hollow goal measured by job prestige and outward signs of success. The “love” comes from knowing whoever I was before, is part of the recipe of who I am today, capturing that essence of the best part of where I have been, seasoned with where I have been, and ready for however my evolution takes me. Thank you for another stellar post!
I love this so much, how lucky are we to come to this point of wisdom and acceptance!
So much inspiration here. My life is so quiet now that I am retired. No more getting up at 5 AM to run, drive to Queens to run a psych ward. several months ago I adopted a little stray cat, he wakes me up now in the early mornings. sometimes I will get up as well and make a cup of tea, check my emails. lately allowing myself to to return to bed and I will fall into a dream, not quite fully asleep or awake. I go to places I have not been and have relationships with people I have not met. I can be a comfort and inspiration. Nature these last weeks has been amazing, as always, more more important this year as not only has the world been so dark and barren. I am talking here not just of nature but the direction of our country. Seeing the world in bloom again gives me hope.
I love this life for you. Interesting I have never been more obsessed with planting new growth this year, it's totally related and a countermeasure to how I feel about what's happening in this country. Thanks for the insight.
I can see the world around you in magnified presence--yet YOUR world is a grainy, zoom-in and blurred lines. This prevailing study of seeking, in your airy, meandering, has this morning, sharpened my desires into crisp, flat conclusions. Your annotated text gives way to my table of contents. I've needed to pull it all together. Your wonder--and maybe it's the mirror put up to my jumble--is the companion to clearing my way.
so beautiful.
Your writing always grounds me and gives me peace about this thing called age. The way you embrace it, even with a little rebellion, reminds me that it can be a time of enlightenment and finding who I really am instead of having to answer to who I'm expected to be. Like you, at times I feel comforted by the slow down, other times it scares me. Thank you for sharing.
Getting old is inevitable despite what society tries to convey. robbing us of the peace and wisdom to be found in this time of life is not an action we should accept.
Always love your writing! You are still an icon...just not an accidental one :) Sounds like you are in a time of transition, and sitting with the unknown with no clear path forward is one of the hardest things to find peace with. However, it is clear from your writing that you are forging a path, and I'm sure it will lead you somewhere fulfilling and joyful!
It's all starting to leak out as you can see from these last couple of posts lol
Thought provoking to be sure. My writing may be a little less elegant, but my subject is ageing gracefully, filling up my dance card as I move along in life, using my earned wisdom to be sure I never miss a step!
Morning... I had your article in my queue to read and finally finished it. Ah, another great. I can so relate, perhaps because I feel some of the same as I work in my Shed. It's something about spending time in my Shed that brings forth so much good. I love your writings Lyn. It's amazing to witness your transformation. You go girl! Looking forward to your next writing. Have a fun, thought provoking day in your Shed.
Another lovely post. There is so much that speaks to me in your writing - it's a reassurance and a recognition at the same time.
That makes me happy, thank you for letting me know.
I delight like a child on Christmas Eve what you might dispatch from The Shed this Summer, lovely as always.
Thank you!
Thank you dr. slater. I am making my way through the audio book of your How to be Old and enjoying
Thank you. It was more fun reading it for the audiobook than writing it!