getting older

Almost Another Year Older

Posted by Barbara Techel
Almost Another Year Older
Me as a little girl.

Tomorrow is my birthday! It was almost July 19th, but I busted into the world just in the nick of time at 11:55pm, 52 years ago.

I was a whopping baby (due to my mom’s love of Fudgesicles I think!)…. weighing in at 9 lbs., 3 oz.  Mmmm, I could go for a Fudgesicle right now!

Almost another year older and the beat goes on…

And as I think about my birth all those years ago, I’m thinking about how much I love this second half of my life, or as I recall years ago Dr. Wayne Dyer calling it, the afternoon of our life.

Not that I didn’t enjoy the first half (the morning of), but knowing what I know now, I appreciate life so much more.

And I think about how when we are born, we are so open and free — nothing of ideals and projections have been put upon us at that time — we are so close to where we came from (God/Spirit) those first few years.

And then at some point after all the layers pile on from getting wrapped up in so many different points of view and how some ideals can begin to weigh us down, we begin walking back toward that inner place of pureness again — peeling away the layers, one by one, and finding acceptance and more peace in who we authentically are.

At least this has been the case for me. I welcome it and am enjoying this more confident sense of self that continues to morph and evolve.

I love birthday’s and hope that I will always embrace them as I do, no matter how old I get.

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Forward March to 50: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

I forgot to share my Forward March to 50 post yesterday- which I do the first and third Thursday of each month in celebration to the countdown to my 50th birthday which is July 18.  So here it is a day late. I thought it might be fun to share five things you may not know about me.

big hair

1.  I used to wear my hair REALLY big! Or would that be REALLY tall?  eee gads!

2. I wanted to be a go-go dancer when I grew up.  Ok, so I didn’t really realize what that really was when I announced that to my parents when I was little.  All I knew is I wanted those white boots!

3. I played the flute in highschool and marched in the band.

4. I started dating John (my hubby of almost 29-years) when I was 15 1/2.

5. I told John the first night I was with him that I loved him. Yup, I really did. And it all worked out. And each year I love him in a new and different way.

Forward March to 50: Feeling Good in My Own Skin

Posted by Barbara Techel

eye glasses on 650

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month until July 18th I will be sharing my thoughts about turning 50 which I will celebrate on July 18th.  And yes, I said, celebrate!

I ran into a high school classmate yesterday who attended the Rotary Club meeting where I was their featured speaker.  Part of my talk was about a theme in my book about how ordinary issues can stop us from living our best life. For me, those issues were shyness, lack of self-confidence and worrying what others think of me.

While some of these issues still surface in my everyday life, I find myself so much more comfortable in my own skin. My classmate and I talked for a bit afterwards as she shared with me that she thought my book would be good for her 21 and 24 year old. Her daughter struggling with the same issues as I talked about.  We both agreed we feel so much more comfortable in our own skin, and wished that for young people. While yes, some of this comes with age and gained wisdom, we wondered how this could be taught to younger kids.

Maybe it can, and maybe it can’t. I don’t know for sure. But I do believe it is part of why I feel passionate about embracing turning 50 three months from today. I want to be a positive example to our younger generation. My classmate and I both also said that we wished we had known now what we didn’t know then. I don’t know if that can truly ever be–but I do believe it can start with being an example that getting older is not such a bad thing.

Yes, it has its challenges, that there is no doubt. And it is hard to watch our parents, friends, and family age if they are not well, and struggling.  But I think of the many who have a great life, minor health issues, and they complain about their age or getting older. It seems such a shame.

Maybe I’ll eat my own words as I continue to age, but for me, I want to continue working on my own self growth as well as my spirituality, which helps me through the twists and turns of life… not to mention, staying in awareness of what my pets teach me and applying that to my own life.

Just a note that my Joyful Paws Jaunt Blog Tour continues tomorrow with a stop at Dr. Diane Dike’s radio program Second Chance with Saving Grace.  Show begins at 11:00am CST- Wheelchair Bound Dachshund – Frankie – Teaches Important Lessons .