tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23737751797570544342024-03-27T19:54:36.572-04:00The Midlife Christian WomanInsight for midlife and older Christian women including those in the empty nest. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-28817227721649551822024-03-15T02:38:00.001-04:002024-03-15T02:38:17.252-04:00A Divorce Memoir<p> </p><p><br /></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">An acquaintance of mine is sharing her story <a href="https://nomoregamesdivorcememoir.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">on this blog </a>and in a memoir she wrote during the pandemic. She felt compelled to write her story after a friend made a glib remark about Amy's past marriage. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Amy, by this time, never talked about her previous marriage and that her friend would bring it up so many years later shocked her. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"She could never know the depth of what I went through." Amy shared. "It is sad that she has framed me as that crumpled bride I was so many years ago. I am not that woman." </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So Amy decided it was time to write her story knowing fullwell the friend would never read it, but should anyone read it, she could possibly feel valildated. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Perhaps you will support her by reading her blog or buying her book available in digital form on Amazon.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Games-Christian-Marriage-ebook/dp/B09R1PBYKC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37eJlgC_oV8NjztguIfI84-X5ZSbCVgRucFjp0uMfg0hhvGeXYiuP2fAAGifTrKV55mqD9ONKN3jChslC5Oy6PaILdgv9k2urZWOOwRPfDzZH600ltG-iAM7td7pyWv2_HTvq6H3VGcHoLVwPtIpG-Ibx8uNfrtHgjtS4JGrJa32oCWFObw5cEgdLvutB/s320/cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What story do you have to tell? Have you written your story into a blog or ebook? Have you shared it on social media or with a professional therapist? Is it time to share those details? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-73491995554873441882024-02-27T20:35:00.001-05:002024-02-27T20:35:29.298-05:00Are You in a Midlife Rut?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDpwKo4xfus_GeSMDk9ncyMLtUIab-RyEs80OnzAQ4MNeG5oe1SqP782nmW4aIcfOcbZiDbGZLyPx814cXn00XDszCODP-zIPugV9s9cZfmFk2xmK35N3fo9o2P_qigHbXYlXrH4GUO7jaZ1aRPA_htqXCEJNGAUuCBaOt72AZCFhg9wMYI-s55xyZ_cW/s2048/April%202013%20011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDpwKo4xfus_GeSMDk9ncyMLtUIab-RyEs80OnzAQ4MNeG5oe1SqP782nmW4aIcfOcbZiDbGZLyPx814cXn00XDszCODP-zIPugV9s9cZfmFk2xmK35N3fo9o2P_qigHbXYlXrH4GUO7jaZ1aRPA_htqXCEJNGAUuCBaOt72AZCFhg9wMYI-s55xyZ_cW/w400-h300/April%202013%20011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are you a Christian woman who loves God but feels stuck in a rut where your personal life is concerned? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I completely understand the concept of a Christian woman experiencing a midlife crisis. When she was younger, she had her whole life ahead of her. However, as she enters midlife, lots of changes have occurred. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some mothers are ready to move on, but their teenage children still need them. I ran the van shuttles, helped shop for prom and grad dresses, drove my daughter to dance classes and son to band practices, arranged for the inlaws to fly in and stay with us in time for my daughter's high school graduation and undertook the prep work for moving our home that would happen a few weeks later. I was busy. But I hadn't moved on in life yet. I dreamt that the upcoming move would solve the answer to my midlife query of what to do with myself in my next life stage that would be fulfilling--where I'd be seen, heard, acknowledged and, perhaps, paid what I'm worth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I trusted God's timing and knew God had ordained our last move. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">But after our move, I still had to organize the new house, settle each kid into university dorms and run to fetch the kids or bring them groceries for another several years. I didn't just go off to work like many women do though I was able to sell content articles as a freelance writer and do part-time transcription work from home. Those ARE jobs, but in my mind, they were not ideal jobs. I didn't give myself credit due. And part of the reason was because I was still behind my own four walls. I even wrote under pen names. And, what I really needed was socialization to help me feel seen and valuable. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jj47qZnL-BGKESmONoU6Q1VU75whZ4fOsxBXrUAs7IeqmgrdfykY1XTjERU76p5K6zMnKREoov1K-5x1h3FzTXjEPnZ9q2dwyI5cXjYa6e542fPuGped-KxDrrAqYHCrvAWb21aBFQy_vDVbtBal_kuPPtHXocshrFhyphenhyphenX7ht1yBM6zVZsOMoKGrjHb9F/s320/43288926_1923937254320447_4431215939889813351_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not all parents are as doting as I've been, but putting parenting first was a priority I couldn't shake. And in that role, though I knew it was where I needed to be, I felt hidden like a nobody. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And I see now that over the years I was constantly fighting the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and feeling life was passing me by. Yet, I really was living the life of my dreams. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jj47qZnL-BGKESmONoU6Q1VU75whZ4fOsxBXrUAs7IeqmgrdfykY1XTjERU76p5K6zMnKREoov1K-5x1h3FzTXjEPnZ9q2dwyI5cXjYa6e542fPuGped-KxDrrAqYHCrvAWb21aBFQy_vDVbtBal_kuPPtHXocshrFhyphenhyphenX7ht1yBM6zVZsOMoKGrjHb9F/s640/43288926_1923937254320447_4431215939889813351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Accept Yourself </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Finally, I decided that striving to find a greater <i>calling</i> was a stronghold. Focusing on what I didn't have dragged me down more than uplifted me. I would be better off accepting the life God had spelled out for me and telling myself I was enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've thought of writing a book on <i>acceptance </i>because we are constantly bombarded by self-improvement advice that tells us to change and fix ourselves. But peace is found in noticing the good we carry out and accepting where God has placed us, not fighting it. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuPLs-76490NlxJBUwpkugsZBDCUYPHKUWufRVg3urk7Bxf661sqMKPihVTsPegi6X4jVJjVTY8M-dAa7XgqX8DTB558QRjwL6Hi5xisp74opD5aAgwB4UZGriugPp46TRtDaLn2OjJoH-FSCDb2u4tNUYv_DiCvIINig-31s9soT8azuc6Td4e1aVhQ8/s640/52630403_191572161802520_5219135726939648798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuPLs-76490NlxJBUwpkugsZBDCUYPHKUWufRVg3urk7Bxf661sqMKPihVTsPegi6X4jVJjVTY8M-dAa7XgqX8DTB558QRjwL6Hi5xisp74opD5aAgwB4UZGriugPp46TRtDaLn2OjJoH-FSCDb2u4tNUYv_DiCvIINig-31s9soT8azuc6Td4e1aVhQ8/s320/52630403_191572161802520_5219135726939648798_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Over time, I have learned to observe my body's behaviour in relation to eating, sleeping, energy, and enjoyment as I started getting more time for myself. As a result, I have created a routine that includes sleeping in, two-hour coffee time after waking with some reading and browsing the internet, followed by completing tasks and dedicating time to work on my passions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I came to the realization that </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>everything</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I dedicate my time to can be considered my job. By viewing my life as a calling, responsibility, and job, I am able to create a framework that allows me to better prioritize and focus on what needs to be done, and I am at peace. </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-78683776293010461852024-02-14T14:38:00.005-05:002024-02-14T14:40:16.421-05:00Walking Through Midlife as a Stay-At-Home Mom <p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah1-6LrEEexV2WilvVntkK1IPajLuuQCpRn0tXIt_9ABuPX5lENeGPHSzK9AmoxJFu1RPixV7S2emm2erFB_-58SfEDWAiUtWBxHTOhIyDBxY6yB1HdVVyOq1Nx9N06QzWNPuGw3S0YITdbMhcCFwOFnINeduQ7u0kchPyMBM0uY1J1N-OA3oNNi_GXOp/s5627/Gentle%20DayLily.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5627" data-original-width="4392" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah1-6LrEEexV2WilvVntkK1IPajLuuQCpRn0tXIt_9ABuPX5lENeGPHSzK9AmoxJFu1RPixV7S2emm2erFB_-58SfEDWAiUtWBxHTOhIyDBxY6yB1HdVVyOq1Nx9N06QzWNPuGw3S0YITdbMhcCFwOFnINeduQ7u0kchPyMBM0uY1J1N-OA3oNNi_GXOp/s320/Gentle%20DayLily.png" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Were You/Are You a Stay-At-Home Mom? </b></span><b style="color: #0d0d0d; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How is Your Midlife Journey Going?</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Your journey as a Christian midlife woman can be enriching and challenging, filled with achievements, moments of reflection, personal growth, and spiritual renewal. Some midlife women reach a pinnacle of career success in midlife. They're doing what they love to do. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For others, midlife can be filled with new emotional and physical challenges, questions, and doubts. I know because I've been there. I've walked through it. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>My Midlife Journey</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In midlife, I was an at-home mom looking for the next thing to do for myself beyond the home. Because my husband travelled for work and we took job transfers moving across the country a few times, we agreed it made sense for me to stay home to be the main caregiver of the children and maintainer of the household. It just made things a lot easier for us, myself included. And, it was where my heart was. I believe that's the choice God led me to. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By midlife, the children were reaching important milestones and, as a mother, I was happy to do my best to support them. However, I couldn't help but feel my world had become too small. I yearned for something new, but I was unsure what that might be.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I wasn't prepared to launch into a full-time job outside the home. I looked at part-time opportunities instead besides the office cleaning I did at my husband's business office and the newspaper delivery route I took over for my son who failed to do the work. I took those jobs to stay busy and earn a bit of money, but I felt pitiful doing them. I felt like a martyr. I cried often wondering if that was all God had for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Looking into new opportunities was an exercise in frustration. I looked at courses to take. I looked at various jobs advertised. I ended up confused and lost.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The journey was very different from looking for work as a twenty-something-year-old. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I encountered ageism or whatever you might call it. By then, I was in my mid-forties. During one interview, the interviewer made a sarcastic remark about my work experience saying "But that was ten years ago!"</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YMXVCCX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80twYoq1uD_ZcxTkhWg1S0lWIVZrSfTQs87dPYHP46VlN-zrve9iyAT-Lla-GHSnVeA742eJnq63FNaRQ_H2xpfTX4gu9WEaHwW1uPOXLbQF_yCQ-wDgs3SFjdouYVsP2HJFwQ0IsMdUBMVTElLlbpX0P1xHmbwjfBgeq-6m6kXOwlSLAve9_kd01kIeQ/s320/At%20home%20mom%20book%20cover.PNG" width="225" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>The Calling and Cost of Being an At-Home Mom</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yes, at-home moms who choose the role as I did, do end up in a bit of a quagmire later on. They want to be seen, heard, and paid for their intellect just as anyone does. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I had a friend who became an at-home mother for a few years before heading back to the workforce. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">She said her return to work was based on a desire for mental stimulation. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I get it. I don't blame her. She had credentials for more and bigger as a professional engineer.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I'd tasted and seen the benefits of being in the paid workforce before I had children. I missed the camaraderie, the pay, and the feeling that I'd spent my day well. Just before the birth of my first child, I'd promised myself to never quit working. So that promise became a stronghold that was hard to shake loose from for years--another cause of midlife restlessness. I felt I'd betrayed my promise to myself. But there were the children to consider. And they got out of school at 2:30. I didn't want them to be latch-key children left on their own.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But just as my friend expressed, I had a desire for greater mental stimulation too. That became the root of my restlessness for many years. I begged God for the right fit - a fulfilling part-time job that would allow me to be home in time for my children's care - because my family responsibilities would always come first. It's how I am wired. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Finally, at one point, I was hired for a job from 10 am to 2 pm as an Administrative Specialist. They offered me such low pay, it was a joke. On the surface, it seemed obvious I should take it though and perhaps work my way back into the workforce. And though there was a check in my spirit, I went ahead with it.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I won't get into it all here but enough to say I hated it and quit after 8 months. I guess I learned what I needed to learn, but it was mostly a negative experience. It was not fulfilling. And since my husband was at work all day and the children at school, neither would appreciate my efforts or see me dressed up in my work clothes. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBfk7ABeB9XhF-hRpF_Y9BWxz3j8QDYihdl2Jta56Op4LDj5Nkod3UEArwKFxA2veXX-1ySr8VpMqaNztbg9-n64q0QKrx1yrJZmXcpVUptvSbTj_JXLlf6AHndinidEuMdSHipX-5-xFxnaxFQ-IZgRTMg-OoqSsdzUUE4NvUexdZlyCfbEj7mNn7WFP/s1356/with%20minney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1356" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBfk7ABeB9XhF-hRpF_Y9BWxz3j8QDYihdl2Jta56Op4LDj5Nkod3UEArwKFxA2veXX-1ySr8VpMqaNztbg9-n64q0QKrx1yrJZmXcpVUptvSbTj_JXLlf6AHndinidEuMdSHipX-5-xFxnaxFQ-IZgRTMg-OoqSsdzUUE4NvUexdZlyCfbEj7mNn7WFP/s320/with%20minney.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><i><span style="background-color: #d3e3fd; color: #040c28;">2 Chronicles 15:7 </span> But as for you, </i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>The Bind an At-Home Mom Finds Herself In</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The at-home midlife mom will never fully be valued by anyone else besides her children and God. And some moms will question whether they'd chosen well to remain an at-home mom for so many years.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Second-guessing can be part of midlife life inquiry, but for women of God, it's more valuable to trust that God led her to the right path he wanted her to take whether it be for a season or long-term. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>God is Faithful </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I will say that through all the years, fears, and doubts, God continued to take care of us and reward my husband with promotions and pay increases. It took time, but we prospered without a second big income from me. And, often, I have had to put to death my sorrow over not being paid what I feel I'm worth even later as a freelance writer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've resigned myself to these thoughts:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1. Trust God has put me where I'm meant to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2. Listen for nudges no matter how silly and follow them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3. Doing God's work is in the little daily events, not always in jobs with titles and pay. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">4. Trust God to lead me forward day by day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">5. Deal with midlife physical issues as they arise finding the right support.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">6. Be alert to outside voices or the enemy's voice that brings discontentment, accusations, or feelings of boredom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">7. Don't compare my life to anyone else's. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">8. Trust that God will say "Well done good and faithful servant" despite my career choice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">9. The world changes and it's not my fault.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">10. Instead of spending precious time comparing myself to others or feeling lowly, focus on my mission in life - to write, to love, to serve, to encourage, and to uplift others. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Things to do when you don't know what to do:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you drive past a school, pray for its safety, and its students...</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you drive past a person on the street, pray for them.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you greet a clerk, smile and be friendly.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you see an opportunity to donate or give, do it.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Go for lots of walks.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Get out in nature.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Read good books.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Go for a massage.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Go for counselling, and if that's not needed, spend time with someone who cares.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Write your prayers to God. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Take notes when you read encouraging messages. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Encourage others on social media. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Create art no matter how good or bad you are at it. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Take your turn as a volunteer or feel free to say no it's not for me. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-32030868174520849432024-02-07T02:27:00.002-05:002024-02-07T02:27:34.096-05:00Are you in Perimenopause?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I originally wrote this in 2010, but it's worth sharing now as more midlife women enter this life phase. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKS7S1zvcUO5Tk_nnIVeD0TceJulb1eON0kfSGkCoWEWqmqSTXUz3xSk1XqAa5oKdI86m64d39PA5v6lBL4wYDkBS_V5Psw3jjS1Yi8_J2WH9hiBhHESZZ4akezOF536rzfKkyzuR1ypd/s1600/creativeorder1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKS7S1zvcUO5Tk_nnIVeD0TceJulb1eON0kfSGkCoWEWqmqSTXUz3xSk1XqAa5oKdI86m64d39PA5v6lBL4wYDkBS_V5Psw3jjS1Yi8_J2WH9hiBhHESZZ4akezOF536rzfKkyzuR1ypd/s320/creativeorder1.jpg" wt="true" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Women between 35 & 51 (typically) may be considered to be in a "<strong>peri-menopausal" </strong>phase hormonally. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just as puberty brings an onset of change that a young person goes through over three to five years, peri-menopause brings on changes too-- a reverse puberty if you will--that can last anywhere from ten to fifteen years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />The symptoms of perimenopause may include night sweats and/or daytime hot flashes, crashing fatigue, irritability, mood swings, crying spells, depression, weight gain, headaches, brain fog and trouble with memory or concentration. The symptoms may come and go. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's evident that enduring these symptoms over years can be incredibly frustrating and can significantly impact the quality of life for any midlife woman. If you're experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause, know that you're not alone. As a woman in this life phase, it's crucial to prioritize self-care and protect your well-being</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br />"I don't have a cure or remedy for peri-menopause, but it's important to note that if you're feeling off lately - experiencing emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical challenges - it might be related to your hormones. It may not have anything to do with your husband, job, kids, or church."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Remember to ask the Lord to open your eyes and show you what is happening inside you that needs your attention. Share your concerns with Him and inquire if you should take any new steps to take better care of yourself. Additionally, talk to your partner or family members about your struggles so that they can understand what may be affecting your mood.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Partner with other trusted women for advice. And take a day at a time as you navigate this journey most of us take. Feel free to ask for help. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-22688613554129639552024-02-03T16:36:00.003-05:002024-02-03T16:36:34.900-05:00When Tears Don't Come <p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yS1aJlQsNnmzJnPbKDNDLKd8AuZa29hU27D4wYiC1coBO4rTjAhjWcyJ3_nHl6QdOj9RbWvrL-NII-ajbpPxkIAFGqIuHXqSzXVKtLHVfj983d980JZvHmeFgBFhtCOYQCcbnpDO5DegIP15QEZOM0vKo8YkHRZuVeNG7szEjdFV5lSXN9yvMlwYplnQ/s940/hearts%20and%20tuipls.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yS1aJlQsNnmzJnPbKDNDLKd8AuZa29hU27D4wYiC1coBO4rTjAhjWcyJ3_nHl6QdOj9RbWvrL-NII-ajbpPxkIAFGqIuHXqSzXVKtLHVfj983d980JZvHmeFgBFhtCOYQCcbnpDO5DegIP15QEZOM0vKo8YkHRZuVeNG7szEjdFV5lSXN9yvMlwYplnQ/w400-h295/hearts%20and%20tuipls.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Tears Don't Come</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>During midlife, I cried easily. I cried when I woke up depressed, sad, or worried. I cried as needed at other times, especially when bored or lonely. And crying often helped me feel better. </span>Crying can trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. This hormonal response can lead to an improved mood and a sense of emotional well-being after crying. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do you cry? Do you feel better after you do?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>No Crying in Menopause</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm beyond midlife and perimenopause now. I'm fully in menopause. I haven't been able to cry for a few years. I remember a woman at church telling me that she was also unable to cry, but I didn't really understand her until now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I feel like I need to cry these days, I simply say to my husband, "I feel like crying." But no tears will come.</span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apparently, some individuals find that, as they age, they develop increased emotional regulation (the ability to handle their feelings better) and resilience resulting in a reduced tendency to cry or express emotions outwardly, even when feeling like crying. That might be true for me, but a cry now and then would be okay too. I miss those cleansing tears that help me connect with myself.</span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Change is Constant</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When it comes down to this new revelation on crying, it seems simply that change is part of a woman's life from the time she's born until she passes. Changes are something we navigate on the fly. We are all living life for the first time. And each phase requires we stay</span><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> kind to ourselves acknowledging that changes in emotional expression are a natural part of life.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As always, there is a time and season for everything. Change is constant though sometimes so slow we don't see it happening. But kindness to ourselves is always something we can keep focused on with the strength of God's loving guidance. </span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-38320457836666491622024-02-01T02:55:00.000-05:002024-02-03T02:16:34.027-05:00Why Do I Have a Longing for More?<p><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbSJXnpzLqTYnpgPGx03PvdOi2_fJ4qRubH_6G6xRQ8A7cZd-aR4qA79x1tQ_fmSiRTXMi3pv83AlZl-CjVSHASm7f-p62Q_dGIHmVCcgdsj_gRCt3nd04jlCjhoj4PC41Jeb5E4yjzCV/s2048/Scan_20200129+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbSJXnpzLqTYnpgPGx03PvdOi2_fJ4qRubH_6G6xRQ8A7cZd-aR4qA79x1tQ_fmSiRTXMi3pv83AlZl-CjVSHASm7f-p62Q_dGIHmVCcgdsj_gRCt3nd04jlCjhoj4PC41Jeb5E4yjzCV/w400-h286/Scan_20200129+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Artwork by Rosalie Garde</span></b></h4></b><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">THE DEEP LONGING FOR MORE</b><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><br /><span>In a recent post, I mentioned women have a deep longing for more and better. W</span></span><span>hat is this deep longing about? </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'd like to suggest the longing is really a desire for Jesus and heaven. It's a desire for perfect peace and happiness which isn't sustainable on earth. That being said, the longing for more is a feeling wired into us from creation. It can be both good and bad. It depends on what our longing is for. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" Matt 6:19 (NIV).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>Longing for more </span><i>things, </i><span>can be a problem. The verse above tells us not to store up things. But longing for more can be good in that God has work for us to do. He has people for us to see, places for us to go, missions for us to carry out. It's good to not just sit and stay where we are. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>HOW TO FILL THE VOID</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Filling the void--the longing for more--begins with acknowledging that you are on this earth for a higher purpose than serving yourself. It's not about you. You are simply an ambassador for God. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If God has a perfect plan for your life, doesn't it make sense to look for it? </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I don't want to encourage you to spin your wheels stuck in discontentment while you search for new meaning you are sure is evading you. I don't want you to get caught up in trying to force something to happen just for the sake of experiencing a thrilling feeling. I don't want you stuck in a pattern of constant striving followed by disappointment. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Life is more than charismatic spiritual highs, and trips to sunny climates. When life is in a lull, it doesn't mean something is missing. These lulls are simply part of life.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Ask God for the right balance</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God won't make your life perfect and exciting all the time, but he will guide you into his plan if you ask him to lead you daily. Will you be content to live a day at a time?</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When God is leading you, chances are, your life won't look like much of anything new is happening. That's how God works for most of us. We plod along until the next unusual moment occurs. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our part is to ask God to take authority over our time, choices, energy, and relationships and then to settle into that prayer. To trust he is at work. To trust we are right where he wants us. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ask God to lead you into whatever it is he wants you to do in a day. That could mean asking him where to go online, what boundaries to set, where to take a walk, what chores to do, who to text, phone or interact with. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God rarely shows us the big long-term picture. Even if he does, that big picture is worked out in small steps. Patience is required. Will you trust God to reveal what simple steps to need to take? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I often pray:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Lead me where you need me. Open my eyes to see what you need me to see. Open my ears to hear what you want me to hear. Grant me direction. I will listen for your nudges all day long." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;" /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-89921926794946902162024-01-31T02:44:00.002-05:002024-01-31T02:45:56.564-05:00Midlife Crisis Challenges <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-Through-Midlife-Crisis-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=16+Essential+Steps+for&qid=1706684758&s=books&sr=1-1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="NEW** eBook for Women in Midlife Crisis" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8ImeemJQpqFI9LHLDkIPNjC0knBS15cH_66smi7WASmhlJmSipKDH129rxFh7n7WWbOofNovaBs7rQWaRV0HCFfcHWCpb7_2mX5IFN4lUDJrERXL3LaeFm13QFWjOtbrWpjUoRCBzcUH/s240/bookupdate.jpg" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In my eBook tailored for Christian Midlife Women, which is accessible on Amazon, I propose an alternative perspective to addressing midlife dilemmas. Rather than seeking to solve them outright, I encourage the idea of walking through them. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We don't disregard our feelings and say they don't matter. No, we acknowledge them. But we are mindful that this time of questioning and chaos is often a life phase affected by so many variables. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Navigating a midlife crisis is not akin to a game of darts where you pinpoint the issue and eliminate it with a well-aimed throw.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Consider the situation where a woman blames her husband for her unhappiness and opts for divorce. It's like assigning blame for a puzzle's complexity to a single piece and discarding it, only to realize that the puzzle's intricacy remains unresolved.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While some women may believe that divorce is the key to their happiness, for instance, that idea is akin to trading a temporary sense of relief for a long-term cost. It's like exchanging a valuable possession for a fleeting satisfaction, only to discover that the true price includes not just emotional but financial impoverishment.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ChYxdL6jVDwM4fIolMUVRgSDX5xKE0ncVww9SmrTfewg228ao6EwjUmhjb6Un2JjnfORxEkXUE3QXr3m7eWTh40HjYF3H4d7ET75lnny4GHj1NVIC3zRSiaVeKZBHctjU-2Qg7jHRz2NGDnFxwVooch1qxoDsxwG37uqRP3LxZZcEtL1OevkpDHSVsBg/s500/D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ChYxdL6jVDwM4fIolMUVRgSDX5xKE0ncVww9SmrTfewg228ao6EwjUmhjb6Un2JjnfORxEkXUE3QXr3m7eWTh40HjYF3H4d7ET75lnny4GHj1NVIC3zRSiaVeKZBHctjU-2Qg7jHRz2NGDnFxwVooch1qxoDsxwG37uqRP3LxZZcEtL1OevkpDHSVsBg/w200-h200/D.png" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, life is complex. It's not wise to blame your midlife crisis on only one cause. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I share this perspective because many women find themselves on a quest to discover a quick fix for their emotional turmoil. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A midlife woman might say, "If I can just find the right job..." or "If we lived in a bigger house..." or "If I had a different husband..." or "If I were only younger and slimmer..."</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Women may attempt to alter their circumstances, making significant decisions that could potentially lead to regret later on.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC6u1vo4ADNVMgRAHUfH_fziT5OI0nR5aRWhFd40gvyPsVRUtpJMY_az6GwgBEF7157auWEZpqhrRnftmvcsvs486SpuzqQ5c9lL9HKyfq5tlrDCpmCglID2Dm5Av0CNR72rpgTG8zYIwsMLQHGQp-DraZMfkbJWWPkceSMLvacwhMECKr5lgXPQ1ftdY/s425/swimming_duck_clip_art_22184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="425" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC6u1vo4ADNVMgRAHUfH_fziT5OI0nR5aRWhFd40gvyPsVRUtpJMY_az6GwgBEF7157auWEZpqhrRnftmvcsvs486SpuzqQ5c9lL9HKyfq5tlrDCpmCglID2Dm5Av0CNR72rpgTG8zYIwsMLQHGQp-DraZMfkbJWWPkceSMLvacwhMECKr5lgXPQ1ftdY/w200-h117/swimming_duck_clip_art_22184.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Through my experiences, I've come to realize that the key may not necessarily lie in changing external circumstances but in transforming how we perceive and feel about them while also taking steps forward that are good for our well-being.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's crucial to recognize that where we find ourselves when feeling <i>in crisis </i>is often a result of our choices. They might have been very good choices we felt led by God to make. They may be choices based on a sense of calling we had years prior. But in midlife, we begin to second-guess them. And it's easy to question God or even blame him for what feels like a suddenly depressing life. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If I could throw out a proverbial life vest to a woman who feels this way, it would be in the form of a suggestion. I would suggest she become curious about her thoughts and consider their roots, but before dissecting them, to reaffirm her trust that the same God who said he'd lead her has led her and is still leading her now. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For myself, God had led me to a couple of cross-country moves with my husband. We're both introverts and he travelled a lot so it was difficult for me to not feel lonely. I understand it better now that I've done research on my own personality style. At the time, though, my default was to have a depressing pity party. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Those moves we took we felt were led by God. Now, with new emotions rising to the top and experiencing perimenopause, God was leading me to take new steps. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofkjiExx0CroIarmetcktuHWRrmDfDyq_Vfo4dIQ7S0eg3y5nNLoM1E5_oXn1pX4G7dxNe7qNzAtISNOJsWVENbH2ajNxVg8BG__lRqg0ZgDthe6ED9vRkjwQKlP9YoX1gfm6bl3ZmmbjEmVl3H3Cy3S9QJomhRe_F72cpqUGJngHVgPOFI7T0gjgqovc/s299/51998403_393275218140503_3957341042961757851_n%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="205" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofkjiExx0CroIarmetcktuHWRrmDfDyq_Vfo4dIQ7S0eg3y5nNLoM1E5_oXn1pX4G7dxNe7qNzAtISNOJsWVENbH2ajNxVg8BG__lRqg0ZgDthe6ED9vRkjwQKlP9YoX1gfm6bl3ZmmbjEmVl3H3Cy3S9QJomhRe_F72cpqUGJngHVgPOFI7T0gjgqovc/s1600/51998403_393275218140503_3957341042961757851_n%20(2).jpg" width="205" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /><span><br /></span><span>God led me to do Internet research on the topic of Midlife Crisis. He led me to start writing the book pictured above. He led me to talk to my doctor about my depression. He led me to reach out to mental health therapists and life coaches. </span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>I didn't like the process much. I was scared of those depressed feelings. But they demanded I walk through them a step at a time. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><br />Today, as you're walking through midlife, can you pinpoint the feelings you're having? Why not list them. Read my book, talk to a professional or friend, and decide what challenges you're being called to walk through now. What might be your next step?</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-55056050026009156722024-01-29T02:09:00.004-05:002024-01-29T02:28:14.210-05:00Positives of the Empty Nest<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoznSMmefJxvt6vmHyqFnImkkESpLhyqqoW2ixdyn5KxA9Cdqwgtr90SVFweCIBIDuyIx2somm7RA3-LKd009IfYY5t_9RWWDmSUbUsF_vteglzL_tvzOII0maQbXPyT9bwVx0daRf5dBg3Ga-Vgm007OJdGZzWg-EOCS5G0RtzO1g-UEMcliWiLbhqjA/s2843/Hearts%20A'Plenty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2314" data-original-width="2843" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoznSMmefJxvt6vmHyqFnImkkESpLhyqqoW2ixdyn5KxA9Cdqwgtr90SVFweCIBIDuyIx2somm7RA3-LKd009IfYY5t_9RWWDmSUbUsF_vteglzL_tvzOII0maQbXPyT9bwVx0daRf5dBg3Ga-Vgm007OJdGZzWg-EOCS5G0RtzO1g-UEMcliWiLbhqjA/s320/Hearts%20A'Plenty.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In this <a href="https://midlifechristianwoman.blogspot.com/2023/11/keys-to-reinvention-in-midlife.html">blog post,</a> I cited many issues women in midlife deal with especially in the empty nest phase. In this post, I'd like to list some of the positives of this phase when a woman's mothering years change to more of a peer relationship with her adult children: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Newfound Freedom: </b>With children becoming more independent,
women have the opportunity to explore new interests and hobbies, or even embark on
personal adventures they may have put on hold.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Professional Reinvention:</b> Career stagnation can be seen as
an opportunity for reinvention. Midlife can be the perfect time to pursue new
skills, take on different responsibilities, or even consider a career change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Deeper Connections:</b> Relationship changes may lead to deeper
connections with partners, friends, and family. Open communication and shared
experiences can strengthen bonds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Embracing Self-Acceptance:</b> Instead of focusing solely on
physical changes, midlife offers a chance for self-acceptance and embracing the
wisdom and experiences that come with age.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Clarity in Life Goals:</b> The reevaluation of life goals can
lead to a clearer sense of purpose and alignment with personal values. This can
bring a sense of fulfillment and direction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Personal Growth: </b>The transition from caregiving roles allows
women the opportunity for personal growth. Exploring new passions, learning,
and self-development become possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Prioritizing Health and Well-being: </b>Facing health concerns
can be a catalyst for prioritizing well-being. Women may adopt healthier
lifestyles, including better nutrition and regular exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Rest:</b> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span color="var(--tw-prose-bold)" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Embracing quiet moments and newfound freedom can allow them to indulge in restorative activities, nurturing their well-being and creating a space for personal rejuvenation. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Building New Social Circles: </b>Social isolation can be an
opportunity to build new social circles, fostering connections with like-minded
individuals who share common interests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Creating Fresh Challenges:</b> Actively seeking out and creating
new challenges can add excitement and purpose to life. This could involve
pursuing hobbies, volunteering, or taking on new projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Spiritual Exploration:</b> Instead of existential restlessness,
midlife can be a time for spiritual exploration and finding deeper meaning.
Practices like meditation or joining spiritual communities can provide solace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Defying Societal Expectations:</b> Breaking free from societal
pressures allows women to embrace their authentic selves and redefine success
on their terms, promoting a sense of contentment and self-worth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Remember, each woman's experience is unique, and these
positives can be tailored to fit individual circumstances.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Deut 31:8 <span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.</span></i></div></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-74420042932622035762024-01-27T12:59:00.000-05:002024-01-29T02:27:39.456-05:00Tap into New Vision as You Navigate the Empty Nest and Midlife <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5yLgZKY1qBJurauSVmUdx9D0B65Gs0cHu6ZfQ9J7vsEwsmgRZXO_Um4yVegqvIqkNkxpttp-9lNznNbfzv9gEJK0BezYtK_IyfLdrK2wD0RumEzZIUlBZA_cCMdgv0yaPXPuyQvJrMFsQSH6lE_eIDxMp58PqX36fgTgaaXGfNQltlxiMDY9tE__juWx/s3508/Dream.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3508" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5yLgZKY1qBJurauSVmUdx9D0B65Gs0cHu6ZfQ9J7vsEwsmgRZXO_Um4yVegqvIqkNkxpttp-9lNznNbfzv9gEJK0BezYtK_IyfLdrK2wD0RumEzZIUlBZA_cCMdgv0yaPXPuyQvJrMFsQSH6lE_eIDxMp58PqX36fgTgaaXGfNQltlxiMDY9tE__juWx/w400-h291/Dream.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In midlife, women face new challenges. Often life as they've known it changes. Children head off to university, college, move out, or marry. Home dynamics change, often for a time, as some adult children return home to live again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The husband and wife relationship may feel different during these changes. A midlife woman may feel both a sense of relief that she's finished one phase of life, while at the same time experience periods of grief or melancholy knowing the kids are grown up. Relating to adult children becomes a new game a mom may find challenging.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Change is sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf53_zdoqW7Pl0s14zd8sEaNJDFT2O1BcAD-e6v7wgjBgNVhhpl8CM4gB29NfiAZs72J9Wcyx9JCKt5AsGfJaaZ_4u2OAW0ecViA8_hkciP8mQPpDcWzu_7TuP4N8Krvzw0sQq10l32OJn2Zkl3-9PCyJTZkGLZ4I1Sv36z0U-Fjzbofq2JfwyV6DjaPj3/s806/Letter%20stencil.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="806" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf53_zdoqW7Pl0s14zd8sEaNJDFT2O1BcAD-e6v7wgjBgNVhhpl8CM4gB29NfiAZs72J9Wcyx9JCKt5AsGfJaaZ_4u2OAW0ecViA8_hkciP8mQPpDcWzu_7TuP4N8Krvzw0sQq10l32OJn2Zkl3-9PCyJTZkGLZ4I1Sv36z0U-Fjzbofq2JfwyV6DjaPj3/w320-h240/Letter%20stencil.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Change in the Nest-Emptying Years </b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While some husbands want to wind down in midlife and the nest-emptying years, a midlife woman is known for wanting to reboot her life. She might contemplate going back to school, changing jobs, or re-entering the workforce since the children are no longer encroaching on her life. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But it isn't as easy moving on in the nest-emptying phase as a good 'theory' may suggest. A woman is older. She may have a huge paid-work gap in her resume. Ageism abounds in the workplace, and an older midlife woman will be overlooked in favor of younger women most of the time. A woman's body may be challenged. Perhaps she tires easily. Or, a job standing on her feet all day is too physically demanding now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />While many midlife women go on a search for that 'new thing' that excites them or to pour themselves into, the search can be met with frustration. That doesn't mean searching is wrong. Just do your search with proper expectations. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVeIXZprnuxa8YuS1rKnfTrTem53tJ0beKnT0LWMOOBmtWU9Sa1GBQm8Jp-Y2EtGLcDjOBNAPLqiJE8_mixn0HmRVpw5mGX8AO0kT-h5BWFIpYsY8O1C_RxsS3dGzcSxXuxtDFn9GTWCyc1GhOXyhYmsT1MBIcg1D0J5awU6LVzLzjjGngDT7sKzZJT2l/s2403/2022-03-17%20009%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="2403" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVeIXZprnuxa8YuS1rKnfTrTem53tJ0beKnT0LWMOOBmtWU9Sa1GBQm8Jp-Y2EtGLcDjOBNAPLqiJE8_mixn0HmRVpw5mGX8AO0kT-h5BWFIpYsY8O1C_RxsS3dGzcSxXuxtDFn9GTWCyc1GhOXyhYmsT1MBIcg1D0J5awU6LVzLzjjGngDT7sKzZJT2l/w320-h274/2022-03-17%20009%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>A Frustration Story </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we were about to be job transferred for the third time in 20 years, I looked online for glimpses of what I might discover in the new location. I was, by then a paid content writer and certified life coach, but I'd also had a dream of one day working in a community centre where I could use my life coaching skills. When I saw a Christian-based community centre near my new home, I got excited. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When God gives glimmers, I pursue them. So I applied to volunteer at the centre between my writing work and driving my teen son to school and his work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My motivations for applying to be a volunteer were many. I wanted to be out of the house where I could meet new people and feel part of the community. I wanted to start my next adventure to fulfill a long-term longing for feeling like a valuable contributor to society. I hoped it would one day work into a paid job.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But I quickly learned the vision I had of using my life coaching skills with community centre clients would not come true. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was put in a little office by myself to do computer work. There would be no interaction with clients. And, in but a short time, I was told I could do the work from home--</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">exactly what I didn't want to do. And then the centre closed permanently. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's not the first frustration or death-of-a-dream I have suffered as a midlife woman looking for meaningful connections and something to sink my teeth into. I could share umpteen similar experiences. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><b>Does this sound familiar to you?</b></span><br /><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">If you have met with dream busters or a lack of focus in knowing where to put yourself next in midlife, I offer you these tips. </span><br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Know that many women feel as you do.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Changes can make you feel uncomfortable, you aren't manufacturing those feelings.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's okay to not have <i>the</i> answer.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's okay to seek professional help.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Searching for answers can be a healthy activity as long as you don't dwell on the disappointments you'll encounter.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">God is still right there with you.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">God still has a plan for you.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">God will help you make the best use of your time and energy if you invite him into each day.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Choosing to trust God and live content is the best choice over striving and discontented living.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are beautiful, talented, and lovable and will find joy once you practice looking for it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Stay resilient. Get back up after something fails (and it will). </span></li></ol><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><b><span><span>H</span>ow do you navigate these mixed midlife crisis feelings?</span></b></span><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">First, to deal with mixed midlife crisis feelings, it is paramount you recognize the enemy (Satan) will attack you at your point of vulnerability or weakness. And he'll do it often. He will try to undermine your marriage, relationships, and your mindset. The enemy will speak discouraging thoughts to you more than you will ever be fully aware of. </span><br /><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">It is very important during this midlife phase to put on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=NIV" target="_blank">spiritual armor</a>. Employ tactics that will keep you spiritually strong that includes praying, reading scripture, and devouring devotionals or other books by Christian writers. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">Stay aware of negative voices when they pop into your head, and use <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cbt-techniques">cognitive behaviour techniques</a> to switch them off. </span><br /><br /><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><b>Lies of the Enemy</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">The enemy is very convincing. He'll get you to say things like, "<i>I feel</i> like a nobody, <i>I feel</i> unappreciated, maybe I should leave my husband..." that type of thing. But just because the complaints include "I" doesn't mean they're true. </span><br /><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">How you think will affect how you feel and will affect the next things you do. <b>Be vigilant about not listening to negative voices.</b> Stop them immediately!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>Practical Steps</b><br /><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif">Here are a few more practical steps you can take in navigating your way through your midlife journey.</span><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Express your feelings in a journal. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Write your worries into prayers and commit them to God.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tell a friend how you're feeling.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hire a life coach or sign on for counseling.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Focus on what is going well.</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRyp2_a_D5f8fIyq1AzpAVpWtF13qtkT2S02wqCxULCOWOyBPZcOJ-mOu1T-FgPcqjrCcpZuDUe65kIQqNK4DCQJfExDZKCSUaxOTGxChHMeKQ749Uww7iXKVdcTh_NMxVSmgyg_FUBkL/s1600/I+have+provision.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRyp2_a_D5f8fIyq1AzpAVpWtF13qtkT2S02wqCxULCOWOyBPZcOJ-mOu1T-FgPcqjrCcpZuDUe65kIQqNK4DCQJfExDZKCSUaxOTGxChHMeKQ749Uww7iXKVdcTh_NMxVSmgyg_FUBkL/s200/I+have+provision.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Use Your Right Brain</span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span style="color: magenta;">Now, here is something I'd like you to try next. <u>This exercise</u> will tap into your <b>creative right brain</b>. It will give you a shift in thinking which<span>, hopefully, will help you work through some troubling feelings.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Some people are more right-brained than others. Nevertheless, <u>it can help every person </u>to tap into their right brain. Think about how we all love music. Music taps into the right brain. So does art, beauty, and ph<span>ysical movement.)</span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: blue;">It might be said the right brain fuels the left brain--the thinking side. YES! We do want to fuel that thinking side. </span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>RIGHT BRAIN E<span>XERCISE</span></b></span></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Make a Positive-Thinking Vision Board </span></b></span></span></span></div><ul><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Gather magazines, s<span>cissors, a <span>glu<span>e stick an<span>d <span>poster</span> paper or card stock.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As you flip through your positive<span>-</span>thinking books, scriptures, or devotionals,<span> write helpful quotes from them onto your poster.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(If you <span>have Joyce Meyer magazines, you'll find great quotes in there<span> to cut out.) </span></span> </span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Use colourful mark<span>ers<span> <span>for your writing, or cut words out of magazines.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Decorate the paper around your quotes.</span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Add <span>magazine pictures that make you feel alive, hopeful, and chee<span>rful<span>.</span></span></span> </span></li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tap into romance and beauty by choosing pictures that evoke those ideas--flowers, hearts, sparkly items, and so on. </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b>Cut, <span>g</span>lue, write, and decorate your </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b>vision board. </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b>View it. </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b>Share it with someone. </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b><span><span>Hang it where you can see it often.</span></span> </b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheggM9-V_schyphenhyphen7rs-Ih3ksPCf2ENdJjrMYfmemiYNgkvS0Dzku8BjvxRgI8ve_lOKVWlsgiAsc2OBpDZm9HKBusdm4zwR8D5PyECLmTdvMJGOtR4dOg__qIRKUCKGkfCSTU8ZYZBWpyMBce9Cr_kt6q2dY8yiR88uoLLXUgYxhcLB9VgPnu8UZjxZI05cW/s2933/2022-03-17%20002%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheggM9-V_schyphenhyphen7rs-Ih3ksPCf2ENdJjrMYfmemiYNgkvS0Dzku8BjvxRgI8ve_lOKVWlsgiAsc2OBpDZm9HKBusdm4zwR8D5PyECLmTdvMJGOtR4dOg__qIRKUCKGkfCSTU8ZYZBWpyMBce9Cr_kt6q2dY8yiR88uoLLXUgYxhcLB9VgPnu8UZjxZI05cW/w320-h320/2022-03-17%20002%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Syillc3T67XRNlcUR9i0cu5uI3YqFgrJVZwGwYB5L0X_FH32GDXUwAuqUA4PqfMQX9ru1lbzEVkDwGShyphenhyphenZLKFhU-wocTBVan7zqtx1GoVQmfgdCbi1e6tnneZhWSIyOIh2eHdj1c_t5UFlzZ7U7vQ8auosjxw20xu_CdZv42UZM7OmzSy7eNctKaBLt/s2992/2022-03-17%20007%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Syillc3T67XRNlcUR9i0cu5uI3YqFgrJVZwGwYB5L0X_FH32GDXUwAuqUA4PqfMQX9ru1lbzEVkDwGShyphenhyphenZLKFhU-wocTBVan7zqtx1GoVQmfgdCbi1e6tnneZhWSIyOIh2eHdj1c_t5UFlzZ7U7vQ8auosjxw20xu_CdZv42UZM7OmzSy7eNctKaBLt/w320-h320/2022-03-17%20007%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GRBkY1zAIPKJ0dLbe4RCF9f17srsFS4HY0MxHVg63nLmuqBnGzoW-khDgbozNMeWH_X06cE8aMEoXNMnA310X5zo2giQaMsiRWdRE5TpaMA2UeIXYCbE0asiCt9JeiKa8g0jyg0rEKb3cR7kaskWCRVoYpoIpXG_FkpIl5hHc30kuhpxBp8_hHZicacI/s2992/2022-03-17%20010%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GRBkY1zAIPKJ0dLbe4RCF9f17srsFS4HY0MxHVg63nLmuqBnGzoW-khDgbozNMeWH_X06cE8aMEoXNMnA310X5zo2giQaMsiRWdRE5TpaMA2UeIXYCbE0asiCt9JeiKa8g0jyg0rEKb3cR7kaskWCRVoYpoIpXG_FkpIl5hHc30kuhpxBp8_hHZicacI/w320-h320/2022-03-17%20010%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHtS4xx4HDspFcw0ldhDqu2KY3jDtl4_crAX3Bbk2GLZ3ADG_NYi2Hg6RSDdtO8LQ0Gwe4-w8iSIS9YMkzncwgFurlUsH8mDLinuwT1Uz-dtkol1jITea5kp-ArEcghV8soPh-VHIlCjmBsE-v_xr4FqexBCBCy-M8bKxHR0d9IdX6AbJlVkWhZz6F8A0/s2124/Truth%20about%20Love.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2124" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHtS4xx4HDspFcw0ldhDqu2KY3jDtl4_crAX3Bbk2GLZ3ADG_NYi2Hg6RSDdtO8LQ0Gwe4-w8iSIS9YMkzncwgFurlUsH8mDLinuwT1Uz-dtkol1jITea5kp-ArEcghV8soPh-VHIlCjmBsE-v_xr4FqexBCBCy-M8bKxHR0d9IdX6AbJlVkWhZz6F8A0/w320-h234/Truth%20about%20Love.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few vision boards I created this past spring. <br />These are not the ones with the Joyce Meyer <br />quotes or Bible Verses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div></div></div></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span>If you<span> do this exercise, I'<span>d love to hear how it went</span>. Did you pray first? Did you hear from God as you looked for quotes or photos? Did adding colour or decorations help you feel more alive? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span face="Verdana,sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>For $33 Cdn <span>you will receive an email <span>coaching session</span> where you can share your experience and I will reply<span>. Tell me where you are in your life journey and what you have <span><span>put on your vision board. <span>You can even send me a photo. <span>Talking about it will help <span>reinforce it and perhaps spark new ideas. <span>Contact me at this <a href="mailto:rjofficejob@gmail.com" target="_blank">email address</a> to initiate this process<span>. You will pay by paypal or e-transfer (to a different email address) prior to 3 email replies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span> </span></b></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-24533386891328574922024-01-10T15:20:00.002-05:002024-01-29T01:03:57.677-05:00Triggered by Your Adult Children's Decisions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJjHl0DxzG8MEiP_FvBkJFdWgwUXrU-0f2m4fsL_VBRy6lTRYqyiENxLo0Icj8WtMqxgDzBsz32xRMgl3s82uqiEh9V6GrUi2lTYPolhJpa2T_IyndZxoa1fV8g5mWDiJcLrhJ681GG8DJA-lXd6w6fsLbvNFe2DMAK2HfMSqj2Sb0BwSV-sLIdd_EV-0/s940/bird%20nest.png" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJjHl0DxzG8MEiP_FvBkJFdWgwUXrU-0f2m4fsL_VBRy6lTRYqyiENxLo0Icj8WtMqxgDzBsz32xRMgl3s82uqiEh9V6GrUi2lTYPolhJpa2T_IyndZxoa1fV8g5mWDiJcLrhJ681GG8DJA-lXd6w6fsLbvNFe2DMAK2HfMSqj2Sb0BwSV-sLIdd_EV-0/s320/bird%20nest.png" width="320" /></a></div><p> </p><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Repost from 2019) (53)</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Midlife, nest-emptying time, having adult children living at home or returning to the nest--are all situations parents walk through. It's part of the letting go process.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Over the past few years and going forward, I've been learning about letting go, living in the moment, training my thoughts, and rebuilding life. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But it hasn't all been peaceful. At times, I've faced situations and felt great stress. And I've had to figure out how to deal with the challenges. </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When things come to a head, we sometimes need support. It's okay to ask for a friend's input. It's also okay to sign on for life coaching or mental health therapy. </span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>WATCH FOR TRIGGERS</b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">My therapist helped me walk through past situations--things I'd stuffed down and not shared with another person. They were triggered as I saw my daughter making her own decisions. </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(Many of us women had turbulent times whether in teen years, early 20s, or onward. We had relationship issues, made choices we regret, and so on. The negative effects of those issues can affect us when our own children reach a similar stage.) </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we see our children making life-altering decisions, we want them to not make the mistakes we have. We want our former pain and difficulty to have a purpose. Often, we think that the purpose of our past trauma is to help us warn our kids. But chances are, our adult kids don't want to hear our warnings. They'll take steps we don't agree with anyhow.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When I became stressed and anxiety-laden (accompanied by horrific tinnitus and panic attacks), I connected it to some issues I needed to deal with MYSELF. They had to do with my own past. They were affecting my perception of the present and the resultant stress was affecting my health. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So I dealt with them one by one with weekly appointments with a therapist. </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsM2DHlkGRfSb7FG2riB8xrDOfdu6PNtOVYi_CSX0bfsxXzvUxfo5H88teBAm7yHp_4fhhr1ec9bM1bmsyBu7YUMddom-WzxrfhY__8646exekpLd3-ViSku28MZEiI4Q7Vy4jmLrztbWctPtIgEMB7RbuYTeXfeR_6FYaEujlw8P35KEw-9uUiRwV7FN/s320/bird.png" width="320" /></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The therapist gave me tools and permission to let my adult children go. My health and personal peace was important to preserve. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Bible tells us to forget the former things so that God can do a new thing. Once we've dealt with former things, we can dismiss the remembrance of them as soon as they try to take place in our present again. </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I've been dismissing thoughts left and right. I've been claiming each day as new. I've been tossing out the temptation to become frustrated by what my adult children do. It's their turn to make their own decisions and mistakes.</span></span></div><div trbidi="on"><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do these tips help you? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is there stuff in your past you need to deal with? If so, how will you go about it? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Can you imagine how freeing it will be to let your children make their own decisions? </span></li></ul></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZj0LFpd2ZZFh1IPxkix6lxSkMnFbiz7YFa15rwtPX0Zjzu9BRUdwk_5cuA_SCP3tvHgEGt0pzy78JIQgo0kCE1aOSr5QQRNJRE5IXJy0sN4VQV8pAOhBESQDqb2KhcU1MYi9X4DBqmyx/s1600/Ballet.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZj0LFpd2ZZFh1IPxkix6lxSkMnFbiz7YFa15rwtPX0Zjzu9BRUdwk_5cuA_SCP3tvHgEGt0pzy78JIQgo0kCE1aOSr5QQRNJRE5IXJy0sN4VQV8pAOhBESQDqb2KhcU1MYi9X4DBqmyx/s400/Ballet.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsM2DHlkGRfSb7FG2riB8xrDOfdu6PNtOVYi_CSX0bfsxXzvUxfo5H88teBAm7yHp_4fhhr1ec9bM1bmsyBu7YUMddom-WzxrfhY__8646exekpLd3-ViSku28MZEiI4Q7Vy4jmLrztbWctPtIgEMB7RbuYTeXfeR_6FYaEujlw8P35KEw-9uUiRwV7FN/s940/bird.png" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-91271924687157095502023-12-23T01:46:00.006-05:002024-01-29T01:22:05.483-05:00Are You Feeling Cast Down and Stuck in a Midlife Crisis?<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kGlj4cWt7DwY1oyCSaanEIBBBxzw5M9Se-b2xZ_HGqyMswea9oOepW6onTbVK3ErGsnd_CPwyuUKKDBr0gBmYVVg8CTNm3cJoCQEvu8ARC3UxIhmxOrCvufJzaghW8_SFrIbYpaA1C2m/s1600/god+is.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kGlj4cWt7DwY1oyCSaanEIBBBxzw5M9Se-b2xZ_HGqyMswea9oOepW6onTbVK3ErGsnd_CPwyuUKKDBr0gBmYVVg8CTNm3cJoCQEvu8ARC3UxIhmxOrCvufJzaghW8_SFrIbYpaA1C2m/w640-h245/god+is.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><br />Are you feeling stuck as though you're in a midlife crisis? Are you wondering if there is more to life? Are you suddenly overtaken by fear of a less-than-wonderful future?</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Midlife crisis feelings can mount up on a woman from seemingly nowhere and for many reasons. Women are usually deep thinkers and feelers. They deal with hormonal shifts that affect their moods. They are nurturers but also crave independence and stature. Perimenopause's hormonal shifts is one very huge cause of such feelings. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij7Wo1VIzra8maJ_89o6WRw38FDDndBCPd4oxJu_sWKZuKIleqvzeEdq-tclc6GhcAEkq01ia8x8gjfeldynDZ3UWtQmpaQddSQlgwmvwiXft7n1TWH8tWxhMjb9IzhNBvSezTX6HptGL6tw_3BD20jhGNOtFLkyyEjYyhDyLhhNW86TFw_u-nDPVpogB/s640/57488172_122974078883175_1251127733830127098_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij7Wo1VIzra8maJ_89o6WRw38FDDndBCPd4oxJu_sWKZuKIleqvzeEdq-tclc6GhcAEkq01ia8x8gjfeldynDZ3UWtQmpaQddSQlgwmvwiXft7n1TWH8tWxhMjb9IzhNBvSezTX6HptGL6tw_3BD20jhGNOtFLkyyEjYyhDyLhhNW86TFw_u-nDPVpogB/s320/57488172_122974078883175_1251127733830127098_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Feelings of being stuck hit me often throughout my time raising children and being a wife. I didn't know where to assign blame or who to reach out to for help. At times like this, we want pain relief. We want to fix ourselves. We don't feel like we are enough. We search for answers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Looking back now, I know it would have been better to learn mindfulness tips and to adopt contentment. But we are human. Human issues plague us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>I was a child of God. I prayed all the time. I participated in church meetings and bible studies. But </span><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">there were moments when I felt deflated and empty. </span><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I longed for a sense of happiness and vitality that seemed elusive. In my pursuit of fulfillment, I found myself channeling excessive energy into managing my children, perhaps becoming overly involved. It became clear that I needed a more invigorating outlet to pour myself into.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Depression?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Was it depression? Was I feeling as I was because we'd moved too much and I failed to rebuild my network? Was it because I'd chosen to be an at-home mom leaving the paid workforce and I was stagnating? Was it because every part-time job I applied to failed?Is it because I craved significant church ministry and every attempt soured? Was I simply lonely? Was it my hormones? I suspect it was a combination of all the above. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you're fighting these kinds of feelings, I would like to share a few realizations I hope will help you:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One is that all humans suffer from what you might call <i>a restless heart. </i>It is that spot that needs God's peace, guidance, and comfort. We are human so are vulnerable to all that is in the fallen world. We are vulnerable to depression, mental illness, attacks of Satan, hurts from other humans, disappointments in life, injuries, illnesses, you name it. To deny such is to be a Pollyanna (Pollyanna </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">refers to an excessively unrealistic optimistic person, </span><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">sometimes to the point of being naive or oblivious to negative aspects of a situation.)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As humans, we tend to default to negativism. Thoughts and regrets of our past resurface without invitation. Taking our thoughts captive needs to be a daily exercise. But it can be exhausting without adequate social supports. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoEpWvVvTwHrCXsINCY3zYW6qJlq3rHZFc3iJdBB9mu5w9nl7LHkBvY1CLOn3gIFl94sT_w68qNomCRhkkZ0m03vOz6sCtCjXipVNd4QejVDm5DmAj6KxDs2CtSbXhwAjmDx44TvN_hzgGjYcU6IGc2s0VM9kqKsJ-4fwdZ4hjxxtUGxWukA0qfqf8Q8Q/s940/Be%20gentle%20with%20yourself.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoEpWvVvTwHrCXsINCY3zYW6qJlq3rHZFc3iJdBB9mu5w9nl7LHkBvY1CLOn3gIFl94sT_w68qNomCRhkkZ0m03vOz6sCtCjXipVNd4QejVDm5DmAj6KxDs2CtSbXhwAjmDx44TvN_hzgGjYcU6IGc2s0VM9kqKsJ-4fwdZ4hjxxtUGxWukA0qfqf8Q8Q/s320/Be%20gentle%20with%20yourself.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Because of our vulnerability combined with the personality God gave us, we need him even more to help us find the best path for our life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But most of us who are believers have dedicated ourselves to him for his use. What we have trouble accepting is where we are--the life he has chosen for us. We fight it. We question our self-worth too much. And with good reason. The outside world makes a lot of noise. Other women look down on us or make comments about our choices. Social media causes us to feel jealous or like we don't measure up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Confidence in our choices is better. Trusting God's </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">plan is better. Self-acceptance is key. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Happiness is fleeting. Moodiness can overwhelm us at any time. We weren't made to be in a perpetual life of happiness, but to seek contentment. Peace and contentment within ourselves is a gift from God that can be found when we are in relationship with him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn6tlTZK0IqLtx2KgXRvXJ2AabcA69fLVWdbKATuReQyzLbUWmMG1vpw_AIAklfAevlvPhXuDhQGFKUfHW4e36Obm-ScRT-kF8UPLYy8pYcbgfbTnHj_gjxkVLXZbGaMXvjHgCINfc7C7zHu3xLcn9F7ya5NhJGOgvjySSkxVdIQUkW4BYlKq8IowuOVJ/s2291/Zippity%20Tree.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="2291" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn6tlTZK0IqLtx2KgXRvXJ2AabcA69fLVWdbKATuReQyzLbUWmMG1vpw_AIAklfAevlvPhXuDhQGFKUfHW4e36Obm-ScRT-kF8UPLYy8pYcbgfbTnHj_gjxkVLXZbGaMXvjHgCINfc7C7zHu3xLcn9F7ya5NhJGOgvjySSkxVdIQUkW4BYlKq8IowuOVJ/w400-h276/Zippity%20Tree.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And sometimes, we have setbacks. I remember a period in life in my 40s when I felt I had no vision. I was relationship-starved though married. I was affirmation-starved. I was given no gold stars, no headlines, no paycheck. I was simply thriving. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had no new dreams to propel me forward. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was tired of trying to make my dream of life coaching in a church setting lift off the ground. No church near me would embrace the concept, and since I was an introvert with few connections in high places, my heart's desire for a ministry of that nature would never see the light of day. I didn't understand why God would give me such desires and have the door slammed in my face so many times. (I won't go into detail.) </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Another example is when God decided to give my husband another job transfer--back closer to family. For a time, we were able to enjoy visits from my elderly mother and have extended family over for pool parties and dinners. I didn't have to work so hard for that sense of peace. And then, in 2020, mom passed, and many negative events occurred to destroy our relationships. BOOM! Just like that, I'm having to rebuild yet again. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I will never understand why God leaves us in the world with great dreams and visions but lets us flounder. I have no clue why so many people in this world are deluded, mean, and ill-spirited. But that's how it seems to be. So if you're floundering, take heart. You aren't alone. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROWoBmhZu4FEJ09Tvntihf4pecH2ug66Ff-FxPm-tGPbQ5O1_B7O100YWo3Zwq6sO4AuVMd1rSFqzmNeiW856X5PDWdmXaisGi6HcoBjvEYdawqohicvmGHx6isJYgxv3DuWMGUwWFVgN56tp4xtyHGBvoYQAmlxaFuDWnfLkBQJdbtQOhtF8AGZSuCzF/s1080/56580624_319072515457098_2151527360574543682_n(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1080" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROWoBmhZu4FEJ09Tvntihf4pecH2ug66Ff-FxPm-tGPbQ5O1_B7O100YWo3Zwq6sO4AuVMd1rSFqzmNeiW856X5PDWdmXaisGi6HcoBjvEYdawqohicvmGHx6isJYgxv3DuWMGUwWFVgN56tp4xtyHGBvoYQAmlxaFuDWnfLkBQJdbtQOhtF8AGZSuCzF/s320/56580624_319072515457098_2151527360574543682_n(1).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span>Know this, God loves you and approves of you no matter what outside sources tell you. God is love, so cling to him. Love yourself! Pursue peace and love in all you do. And apply these tips going forward: </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>1. Stop asking <i>why. </i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>2. Train your mind to see the good in life and dismiss negative thinking.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>3. Pray for God's spirit to give you joy and faith so that you won't always feel cast down.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>4. Ask God if you should talk to your doctor about possible depression solutions, increase your vitamin D, hire a counsellor, or reach out to someone to talk to.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>5. Put your expectations into check. Get rid of black-and-white thinking and live in the grey zone.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>6. Realize that everything in life is for a time and season. Most seasons are short.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>7. Pray for God to give you a spirit of contentment. </b><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7ki1rVUCTZkVTzA7CXtiqRlD7ir-1W4kCf_lg7ORB9edsClEfSuw2VwactCWeT_8Hr8nV5CLvuDorYpJJZCkejiAy06qIV4RlaVz8ugGtnn8BynAWUqrJPTmqhM4WQ3CailSwb-NGJGPR9pNkuJKXK-WdQ3HisZ-B9hKSGOomil0Z1GiZG_cLB1yJRYb/s1162/LOVE%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1162" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7ki1rVUCTZkVTzA7CXtiqRlD7ir-1W4kCf_lg7ORB9edsClEfSuw2VwactCWeT_8Hr8nV5CLvuDorYpJJZCkejiAy06qIV4RlaVz8ugGtnn8BynAWUqrJPTmqhM4WQ3CailSwb-NGJGPR9pNkuJKXK-WdQ3HisZ-B9hKSGOomil0Z1GiZG_cLB1yJRYb/s320/LOVE%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Even in your darkest days when your mood goes low, when you experience grief, loss, anger, and so on, acknowledge your feelings. It's okay to feel sad now and then. But hang on to trust in God and to hope. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Your calling in life isn't to do some great job with a big title, it is simply to be part of God's plans and purposes. It is to connect to God and to promote God and his work. It is to be a good steward of all God has blessed you with. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So don't wander off looking for a new man, a different job, a separation, or divorce. Don't be hasty to tear down what you've already built. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Keep doing the last thing God told you to do until he reveals something new to do.</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And be content with the mundane life you have because that's where most of us find ourselves daily. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com086PV7WQ6+CC44.2886236 -82.0889584999999924.296055737788897 -117.24520849999999 64.2811914622111 -46.93270849999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-34897811033340392202023-12-15T13:07:00.004-05:002024-01-29T01:24:06.587-05:00Journalling is Good for You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDqvIlYiKkT2Bsf0Bxuig2RzdyX8SbE02zKCJscPXWdSrGjOM-hkiXygy2HXh-jJfyFTgI5j75pONPWNSlFLd6Gzp-oGN1Bfjd4v282LfSF2oTtXV5PR4OqrP4-WBH5Muj0DStbrJfBfeTs5f9JdsiObcXTNEZ0yNnWDKKKQZZxzeidZxfYveUN06IXvy/s2124/Truth%20about%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2124" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDqvIlYiKkT2Bsf0Bxuig2RzdyX8SbE02zKCJscPXWdSrGjOM-hkiXygy2HXh-jJfyFTgI5j75pONPWNSlFLd6Gzp-oGN1Bfjd4v282LfSF2oTtXV5PR4OqrP4-WBH5Muj0DStbrJfBfeTs5f9JdsiObcXTNEZ0yNnWDKKKQZZxzeidZxfYveUN06IXvy/s320/Truth%20about%20Love.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Keeping journals is important to me. In them, I write revelations. I record things happening in my life. I record prayer requests. I write excerpts from books I found helpful and jot down bible verses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The real treasures in journal keeping include these points: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1. It helps release thoughts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2. It acknowledges the prayers of the heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3. Readings are reinforced through writing them out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">4. It gives a place to jot down dreams and heart's desires.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">5. It is a form of communication with God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">6. Going back to re-read a journal shows you your life journey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">7. Going back to re-read your prayers allows you to see which ones were answered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">8. Important insights you collected, when re-read, help you in your today life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">9. Your journal becomes a neat (but sometimes messy) life roadmap. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I like this style of journal I ordered through Amazon. They are 6" x 8" coil bound. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(I have a Facebook friend who uses an online app for her journalling. She prefers to type out her thoughts and it is encrypted. If that suits you better, do that.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSlxxLkebGs1DVJSbdJhjvwfyjjAUNcox7fvQhhHwKo_O7DGfubywHTAM7XUTiJTFNclqYP27fU9_7UC9-Q1EK6BDBoVnK3mXr4ziJw3WR8qMoz4X00adxFJFEw4RzRELV9Mhmz7mAnUeHWC2Op0awHAxKFsCel0DxtfBDpDJiFYyS7D2AORiGf2mF0whp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="833" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSlxxLkebGs1DVJSbdJhjvwfyjjAUNcox7fvQhhHwKo_O7DGfubywHTAM7XUTiJTFNclqYP27fU9_7UC9-Q1EK6BDBoVnK3mXr4ziJw3WR8qMoz4X00adxFJFEw4RzRELV9Mhmz7mAnUeHWC2Op0awHAxKFsCel0DxtfBDpDJiFYyS7D2AORiGf2mF0whp" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-12071969326822297332023-12-11T00:21:00.005-05:002024-01-29T01:34:21.644-05:00Life Beyond Children As they Grow<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFtniw8AEAMDehl0NwfgvsGhtJNU98h7wdS3ajCSebzuHDbpBXynDBfNUfIMdCi3bvS7ElybLVIK_IngaDSv3nQ_8imHpuKzDPaPV5girzk_PP6BK9HK1qmvnlRjkUndMcZ24rDPZLKsQPunwq3BassA7Mj0lfUQoNkam3RJoHJVTb0ZCHIHN13zn4g/s1084/blue%20bouquet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1084" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFtniw8AEAMDehl0NwfgvsGhtJNU98h7wdS3ajCSebzuHDbpBXynDBfNUfIMdCi3bvS7ElybLVIK_IngaDSv3nQ_8imHpuKzDPaPV5girzk_PP6BK9HK1qmvnlRjkUndMcZ24rDPZLKsQPunwq3BassA7Mj0lfUQoNkam3RJoHJVTb0ZCHIHN13zn4g/w400-h272/blue%20bouquet.PNG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Are you at a point in your life where it is obvious your children need you less? Do you sense a void?</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I recall that feeling when my children were about 10 and 12 years old. I had been a fulltime at-home mom most of their life so the feeling to move onto something new was glaring. Yet, I was stuck not knowing which way to turn. I was still needed by them--to keep them on schedule, to feed them, to shop for them, to drive them where they needed to go--but I was desperate to get out and do something for myself. It's a common feeling. And it isn't one easily solved. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Maybe you're now approaching the empty nest. Are you a little fearful of life in the empty nest? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In my research, I've discovered it isn't just the stay-at-home mom that feels her very life being ripped from her side as her children grow and mature, it is all moms who've cared for their children, working moms and at-home moms alike. Though most won't admit it publicly, I'm sure most moms experience waves of chaotic feelings wash over them. And it's not wrong to have mixed emotions. Moms are nurturers. Having and raising children was a big deal. Putting her own interests aside for years to be there for the children was huge. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">The feelings and deciding what to do about them can be intense for some.</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRWgl7Wud_0Mo-rErNcvha6oVfuNeK0ygzD9Zm5J5fx4gNa4YXZEXtRFOuVCwgIY8KBV7R7yBAR9yPEu-SKOOtlhIEopgmwP1XOjGPVnoxwKPROcmZ3gDbGbRNEB2M39W0Kn94lnDoCVsEgwJtB3ElNDSiOpRgjRTeAgD8ZRHZFiF6gToI1j1n9M1wK7H/s779/birds%20fav.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="779" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRWgl7Wud_0Mo-rErNcvha6oVfuNeK0ygzD9Zm5J5fx4gNa4YXZEXtRFOuVCwgIY8KBV7R7yBAR9yPEu-SKOOtlhIEopgmwP1XOjGPVnoxwKPROcmZ3gDbGbRNEB2M39W0Kn94lnDoCVsEgwJtB3ElNDSiOpRgjRTeAgD8ZRHZFiF6gToI1j1n9M1wK7H/s320/birds%20fav.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">WHAT TO DO</span></b><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's easy to fear the future, but doing so doesn't help. And finding your next big adventure may not be easy--no matter how much you trust in God to show it to you.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">You see, we have ideas in our minds for how life should unfold, but God often has different ideas. His answers, in my experience, are rarely instant. And they are rarely spelled out in full and long term. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">What is key is the right attitude. You can either have a pity party and doubt anything new is on the horizon, or you can trust you are right where God wants you and live out the duties right in front of you until something new crops up. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The fruit of the spirit includes the makings of a good attitude and brings contentment. And contentment is gold. </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20d_YKSP7W09-IuR66V29akPbUa3KRwlm7aWyWivUTPimmrR7oVcMUHQuBONmImFIfkJ6p51hOIIFijcnjIdGumcff-cR0u9eDcUKatfeViLsqrxKb-KxwTnBlYwTwS9Q1z57VHDFCAUTR4qzTmxMV-zJ5NOy6qmdtlPc6gndZZ7zU-ub5SfhN2KY38U8/s765/Happy%20Tree.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20d_YKSP7W09-IuR66V29akPbUa3KRwlm7aWyWivUTPimmrR7oVcMUHQuBONmImFIfkJ6p51hOIIFijcnjIdGumcff-cR0u9eDcUKatfeViLsqrxKb-KxwTnBlYwTwS9Q1z57VHDFCAUTR4qzTmxMV-zJ5NOy6qmdtlPc6gndZZ7zU-ub5SfhN2KY38U8/s320/Happy%20Tree.PNG" width="264" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A ROADMAP</span></b><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">If you're looking for a roadmap as you attempt to move forward in your next life phase, you are welcome to use this list as a guide:</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">1. Face your feelings. Tap into what is troubling you. Grieve the changes, cry if you need to, journal your thoughts and questions. Get it all out. Acknowledging your feelings is helpful. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">2. Don't get stuck there though. If you find you're stuck there, seek the help of a therapist, life coach, other professional, or close friend. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">3. Remember that God is near to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit. Give him your burdens and then decide you will move on in faith. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">4. Start each day fresh. Don't bring yesterday's worries into today. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">5. Work on your body by stretching, lifting weights, or going for walks. Get outside and enjoy nature. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">6. Try activities that may help boost your self-esteem. That may include more frequent showers, updates to your cosmetics cabinet, a new hair colour, a new article of clothing, and redecorating your space.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">7. Consider that all the little jobs you do matter in the bigger scheme of life whether they are mundane and boring or not. Even if you're not paid to do housework, it is a job--an important one. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">8. Consider getting a pet. Having a dog to walk or cat to cuddle and care for can help you transfer your need to nurture. If you're not into pets, try growing seeds or houseplants. You'll be required to nurture them too. </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">9. Work on eliminating clutter to prepare your home space as somewhere you want to be for your next life phase. Donating what is no longer needed and organizing your space can be therapeutic. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">10. When new ideas come, capture them. Make a list. Even if you don't pursue them now you might want to in the future, so jot them down. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">11. God is great at putting new ideas into a person's mind and heart. Ask him for new vision. Listen for his still small voice.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span><div class="clearall"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">12. Look for opportunities to meet new people. Join a church group, a walking group, or a gym group that works out together. Others need you just as much as you need them. They might also help link you to a new job or hobby. </span></div><div class="clearall"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">13. Look into courses. Upgrade rusty skills. Learn things you need to know in this era of technology. </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">14. Try a new hobby or restart an old one. What is it time to return to?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br />15. Apply for jobs. You'll never know if one's a good fit until you try. </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">16. Make the most of every opportunity. Talk to others when you are standing in line. Be open and friendly. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="clearall"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">No, the road beyond motherhood is not simple and easy, but God will instruct you and teach you where to go even if it is in what feels like baby steps. </span></span></div><div class="clearall"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="clearall"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUnhq6ps9hF7hpmnKCwnQO2jPPpy1_KBGI_H9XHbMoOGiXwBvg9CjZ2U4mw2E-x8jmVB7XAS4l-HaPWEwg53b8wZej4j2BInlv3oznZ3qjHIc1R0IIvhVVsJ3r984Y_v3QEEp4x8VIOc2Pbs9MZYXoFlC0Y7TmCWxQ6pwipPPeQ9gv3REZ95vJixueTUR/s2992/2023-02-06%20016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUnhq6ps9hF7hpmnKCwnQO2jPPpy1_KBGI_H9XHbMoOGiXwBvg9CjZ2U4mw2E-x8jmVB7XAS4l-HaPWEwg53b8wZej4j2BInlv3oznZ3qjHIc1R0IIvhVVsJ3r984Y_v3QEEp4x8VIOc2Pbs9MZYXoFlC0Y7TmCWxQ6pwipPPeQ9gv3REZ95vJixueTUR/s320/2023-02-06%20016.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">One of my pet cats over the years.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-91123391315851253832023-11-23T03:14:00.007-05:002024-01-29T01:42:59.996-05:00Learn About Your Personality and Serve God with It<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuTcmyxYBqfQIfhGRWqmkWT9YQ5SP5nvxA4yzZbkW3LXct2GywBJy0ZBRV0HNzKIGfAr0YX91cduOXIUXi5HAthBGnUuT3BmNY9S_1yJdKgeru3e9umoqbyKmQrR40siLTZrxyFrnMHhMqiG4lXVURfS9sX46wNX3Z5ph42m8x6Qwu4zcSxH3DD1QyoFn/s3509/2023-11-22%20004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3509" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuTcmyxYBqfQIfhGRWqmkWT9YQ5SP5nvxA4yzZbkW3LXct2GywBJy0ZBRV0HNzKIGfAr0YX91cduOXIUXi5HAthBGnUuT3BmNY9S_1yJdKgeru3e9umoqbyKmQrR40siLTZrxyFrnMHhMqiG4lXVURfS9sX46wNX3Z5ph42m8x6Qwu4zcSxH3DD1QyoFn/s320/2023-11-22%20004.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br />Today's goal was to get to the pharmacy to pickup prescriptions. Now that I have a few medical issues, that is a regular adventure. But I'm glad I switched to a community pharmacy where my name is known and I'm warmly greeted. And, it's close to home. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The more life moves on as we age, the more difficult it seems to find new friends or social connections. So I value short conversations with people like my pharmacist. Do you?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And as I was driving, thoughts flooded my mind. I find that happens in the shower and on walks too. These breaks in my day, when I pull away from the computer screen--and for many of you it would be your phone--is when life is processed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'd been reading comments on a Twitter (X) thread just before heading out. A woman had asked a question to others who are retired. She seemed to feel like every day in her life recently was the same as the day before and wondered if other retirees felt the same.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And as I drove later, I thought about my interactions on social media and life in general and the idea that <b>most of us simply want to know we aren't the only one feeling as we do.</b> Hearing someone share their struggles helps us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The more time I spend reading a variety of online material, the more I see that is where the most vulnerable thoughts are being shared. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I thought about the feedback this woman was given. Some of it was great. Much resonated with me since I now call myself semi-retired. But some advice wasn't so great. That is often the type of advice from a person who hasn't walked in our shoes--who is not in the same life phase--or who has a different personality style. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hOR0wg2CVfv7mCtgC1l_2UBu-aCkEK07zORo-77MEiocMelkFH3DBv8EBN1rE7_Py_YapeYl1X5B7Wm7Lpu-hfgQtXsIUrTRhh4PK0el6yigF13br8oUKf-rDYLbGx12w4qhHlHeLQAgwLZSRvr5oI08s5MqVywu6Xnml9smRJ5cuLVGu8KBL6yLS1PQ/s1805/Floral%20Doodle%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1513" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hOR0wg2CVfv7mCtgC1l_2UBu-aCkEK07zORo-77MEiocMelkFH3DBv8EBN1rE7_Py_YapeYl1X5B7Wm7Lpu-hfgQtXsIUrTRhh4PK0el6yigF13br8oUKf-rDYLbGx12w4qhHlHeLQAgwLZSRvr5oI08s5MqVywu6Xnml9smRJ5cuLVGu8KBL6yLS1PQ/s320/Floral%20Doodle%20(2).jpg" width="268" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Personality Style </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've been reading lately to learn more about my personality style. For far too long I figured there was something wrong with me. I was a shy child and only now do I know the term 'social anxiety'. I had it then, but instead of others understanding, I was teased about it. Since I have a son with it, I have a greater understanding. I don't push and prod him. I also have a daughter who is an extrovert. And I'm happy with how she lives her life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is easy to feel like an oddball based on our personality type. But God made us each unique for his own purposes. Why should we criticize what God has made?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I pushed myself into being what they call an ambivert, by my 30s, but inside I'm still an introvert. The pandemic living proved it. I liked being home. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Having transitioned from being a full-time mom to working freelance from home, I marveled at how well I navigated being home so much. </span></span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yes, I find joy in the security of my nest and appreciate the freedom to express my creativity without the constraints of criticism or office politics as I might experience in an office job. </span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's only now that I realize it's an intrinsic part of who I am, a design by God. </span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Instead of listening to advice from extroverts about all the wonderful things they think I should be doing like travelling, playing cards with the locals, and joining a 5K running group, I am focusing on embracing the way God made me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I enjoy long periods of deep thought, solitude, prayer, or meditative thinking. I prefer deep conversations online and in person and despise salesy type networking talk. I'm realistic about my flaws and try more and more to admit when I'm wrong. I spend my free time on creative aspects like creating artwork, taking photos, and writing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpVB5uAvvOlpBWspb_iwg9zZKTBwToDhH47AlGuyVoqOtT2WFAEkqAokL81iB6DSt6Di7XnNR4X-NrdNrI7RMtWqr6ibnkEdm7bCJU7XXAJdcr9T4ekuRalTiS7gkHbswHDvZwI2ef03VnfX-nDj5kdytpeT5QuGGKWHHTGmiXzkEH1d-0AZS78R_hNhb/s2843/Hearts%20A'Plenty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2314" data-original-width="2843" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpVB5uAvvOlpBWspb_iwg9zZKTBwToDhH47AlGuyVoqOtT2WFAEkqAokL81iB6DSt6Di7XnNR4X-NrdNrI7RMtWqr6ibnkEdm7bCJU7XXAJdcr9T4ekuRalTiS7gkHbswHDvZwI2ef03VnfX-nDj5kdytpeT5QuGGKWHHTGmiXzkEH1d-0AZS78R_hNhb/w320-h260/Hearts%20A'Plenty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b style="color: #081c2a; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Watch Your Advice</b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Extroverts on the thread I read today came across as a little scolding--but that's my sensitive nature reacting. Some told the original poster (OP) that she needed to get out more, that her brain and body needed more stimulation, and went on to brag about their travels. I doubt any of these people knew this person personally and she hadn't shared many details about what else she does each day so it seemed a little judgmental to me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I tend to shudder when people use terms like "you need to" and "you should". Maybe a person doesn't need to do this or that. A favourite saying of mine is this: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just because a person CAN do something, doesn't mean they SHOULD do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z1gh9PyJgYZ5Bxl4GM0VNTi6xg1Q5A9S1zdz4axroge1WLTudnsSTM3ORSNjqJ4O6JVpkrv9HP-tZ_QeMlba1rZaiTkbzgPcXGcT6Jn3bquNUuOVUF4-ZA4itvOK47ka86fJ29B9V4mjlbVU8cfuF5whzjoozGeYUeNw9q_WeqgwW27e4ZDSLQcnAJaw/s960/Hopeful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z1gh9PyJgYZ5Bxl4GM0VNTi6xg1Q5A9S1zdz4axroge1WLTudnsSTM3ORSNjqJ4O6JVpkrv9HP-tZ_QeMlba1rZaiTkbzgPcXGcT6Jn3bquNUuOVUF4-ZA4itvOK47ka86fJ29B9V4mjlbVU8cfuF5whzjoozGeYUeNw9q_WeqgwW27e4ZDSLQcnAJaw/s320/Hopeful.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Ask God What He Wants You to Do </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What matters is living life according to what God wants you to do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/139/Psalms-139-16.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.139.16" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 139:16</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"> “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (NLT). </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are on earth to be reconciled to God, to listen for his voice, and to obey him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">"Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man” (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Ecclesiastes/12/Ecclesiastes-12-13.html" rel="ESV.Ecclesiastes.12.13" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ecclesiastes 12:13</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">, BSB).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">There is no higher purpose than being a servant of the King of the universe (see </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/84/Psalms-84-10.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.84.10" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 84:10</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iGqHWWJDn-uNU47IzpY_vW0gWIa7S9N4U09iLkn_cGEhvYwISMCAyymKxTs9u99YhDYUoSza8LOobqDOoEkPAjV_4Wj8l5Po2M10H09XDOEwiwNvfOIDKoBOev5-EuLILW8J5ASLF3yODr2Shr_g5zrkxP_zcmKVqOZUnX1ujmGgofFrC5oGkE5Vqtgy/s1080/Imperfectly%20Perfect.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iGqHWWJDn-uNU47IzpY_vW0gWIa7S9N4U09iLkn_cGEhvYwISMCAyymKxTs9u99YhDYUoSza8LOobqDOoEkPAjV_4Wj8l5Po2M10H09XDOEwiwNvfOIDKoBOev5-EuLILW8J5ASLF3yODr2Shr_g5zrkxP_zcmKVqOZUnX1ujmGgofFrC5oGkE5Vqtgy/s320/Imperfectly%20Perfect.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Honour Your Uniqueness </b></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">God created us each with a unique personality. He can use all of it. We will love others, encourage others, be a blessing, and serve God in the ways he has designed us to. But to be effective in his service, it's important we maintain a healthy self-image. To go forward with confidence and not self-doubt. </span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That is something I'm working on. Are you?</span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I want to see myself as God's handiwork and see myself as he sees me. No self-loathing. No criticism. And I am working on believing the still small voice that tells me </span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're doing a good job, </span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're a hard worker, </span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> God loves you immensely. </span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I am leaning on trusting him to work out issues I might be tempted to worry about. I am leaning on him to work behind the scenes putting new opportunities in place for me. </span></em></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">We are “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/2/Ephesians-2-10.html" rel="ESV.Ephesians.2.10" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:10</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">). </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;">How can you look at your personality style and use it in God's work? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQjG25GnfTwFqUGKk3s2naGjlqV9V6n7k2zM61qL8OPMgZBlkJANvQ5I-Ubycc1iJeiF2m5_uITf16kvyUywmMyjx68CuACRIgK2Nw6UQsEmyZnbwnqVPmgoA8qkuFfMCeGehOjso1y9W2c9Fs3QhQC14FGMz6y24a_ucbsuSqRf_r5LyuMsmnkP4rQGZn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQjG25GnfTwFqUGKk3s2naGjlqV9V6n7k2zM61qL8OPMgZBlkJANvQ5I-Ubycc1iJeiF2m5_uITf16kvyUywmMyjx68CuACRIgK2Nw6UQsEmyZnbwnqVPmgoA8qkuFfMCeGehOjso1y9W2c9Fs3QhQC14FGMz6y24a_ucbsuSqRf_r5LyuMsmnkP4rQGZn" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-42382750694448239062023-11-04T02:59:00.011-04:002024-01-29T01:52:51.859-05:00Keys to Reinvention in Midlife<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hI2_ByVAvR7ZEu_vgvg2smO_UdWOLtD8nwaq_2zRaPC1yJ73_wQKgoasHD9mf0aSkx7hjO-VMXjiQlBFgaqSjVeCYsocxMx3QLr7btEslIDS6uU593f74MXUh6s169uHhNecLUPvIud4FTNEN0veF2BBYZJdgWlTmTQPs4HvVVOW0wqO6Sp9eVuED6h5/s940/BE%20STRONG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hI2_ByVAvR7ZEu_vgvg2smO_UdWOLtD8nwaq_2zRaPC1yJ73_wQKgoasHD9mf0aSkx7hjO-VMXjiQlBFgaqSjVeCYsocxMx3QLr7btEslIDS6uU593f74MXUh6s169uHhNecLUPvIud4FTNEN0veF2BBYZJdgWlTmTQPs4HvVVOW0wqO6Sp9eVuED6h5/w400-h335/BE%20STRONG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where are you in your midlife journey? Are you content, peaceful, and grateful? Or are you plagued with a restlessness you can't quite put your finger on?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Midlife can be a period of significant change and
introspection for many women. T</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">here are umpteen reasons why midlife women might feel
restless or experience bouts of boredom during this life stage.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's important to note that these
feelings can vary greatly from person to person, and not all women will
experience them in the same way. Some common reasons for restlessness or
boredom in midlife women include these:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Empty Nest Syndrome</b>: When children leave home or become more
independent, mothers may experience a sense of loss and emptiness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Career Stagnation</b>: Some women may feel unfulfilled in their
careers, especially if they've been doing the same job for a long time. This
can lead to a desire for new challenges and opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Relationship Changes</b>: Midlife often brings changes in
relationships creating a sense of uncertainty and restlessness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Physical Changes</b>: The physical changes that come with
menopause such as hormonal fluctuations and changes in appearance can impact a woman's self-esteem and contribute to restlessness or boredom.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Reevaluation of Life Goals</b>: Midlife often prompts women to
reevaluate their life path. Evaluation tends to take place. But too much introspection can lead to unecessary restlessness. Accepting the idea you are on God's path and that He thinks you've done a good job may be more helpful.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Loss of Purpose</b>: Some women who have devoted a significant
part of their lives to caregiving might
struggle to find a new sense of purpose.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Health Concerns</b>: Midlife can bring about health challenges,
and dealing with issues like chronic illnesses or other health concerns including needed surgeries can be taxing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Social Isolation</b>: As children grow and a woman's social
circles changes, women might experience a sense of social isolation,
contributing to restlessness. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Lack of New Challenges</b>: Some women may feel that life has
become too routine lacking new and stimulating challenges.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Existential Reflection</b>: Midlife often prompts deep
existential questions about the meaning of life and one's place in the world. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Societal Pressures</b>: Society often places expectations on
women to maintain youthful appearances and continuously achieve in various life areas. These pressures can lead to a woman making comparisons to others which leads to restlessness and dissatisfaction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5A2EZGssdQ4ZTa2CHcuTw6huQZxDN4zoYweHhDXpuEkCxbSJW56LDwqafLfo8bXdDT36PRGV9iOAkCznzfa0NYUBAQj4ByOGfM8fVWyNeREq9MWXe4Dv_sVqpzmiDoPZ9sStzGigZ04-e_-EvAR7WWXvDE6fX5nfhYGq_dXU8BWFPj7_67RCw9TYep8N/s940/Courage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5A2EZGssdQ4ZTa2CHcuTw6huQZxDN4zoYweHhDXpuEkCxbSJW56LDwqafLfo8bXdDT36PRGV9iOAkCznzfa0NYUBAQj4ByOGfM8fVWyNeREq9MWXe4Dv_sVqpzmiDoPZ9sStzGigZ04-e_-EvAR7WWXvDE6fX5nfhYGq_dXU8BWFPj7_67RCw9TYep8N/w400-h335/Courage.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On top of the above-noted in-depth causes of restlessness, a good summary is this: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A common pursuit of many midlife </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>women is to find life's "Holy Grail"</b>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This 'Holy Grail' might be typified by the words happiness, success, and fulfillment. The search for this Holy Grail becomes more desperate to the midlife woman because she realizes she's been feeling less happiness, success, joy, and fulfillment lately. Life is moving quickly, and time is running out. She knows she's sacrificed a lot for others and wonders: <i>what is there for me? </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She may ask, <i>shouldn't she have found my most excellent path by now?</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XCwT0-0knG3xEg_bMydRtmnwkxou7AJ4l76fhHeBscFgcqpb4c4g_Ygxkdsm7VvYsuAgJMCNuUzYCTw6y3aSheVskYoRJFpsHoF29n2JLGqXgI3MptQ1LBVqYafR2WTdnUfg3Te0PMCAn0k7aO_Tx_vq7MD_gAugG_IKXVKF75T0U5egU-4CxB06Usk-/s3089/Undivided%20Heart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3089" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XCwT0-0knG3xEg_bMydRtmnwkxou7AJ4l76fhHeBscFgcqpb4c4g_Ygxkdsm7VvYsuAgJMCNuUzYCTw6y3aSheVskYoRJFpsHoF29n2JLGqXgI3MptQ1LBVqYafR2WTdnUfg3Te0PMCAn0k7aO_Tx_vq7MD_gAugG_IKXVKF75T0U5egU-4CxB06Usk-/s320/Undivided%20Heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we consider God's will and ways, finding the Holy Grail as listed above isn't what He desires. Perhaps this is why finding it is so elusive, because we were never intended to focus so much on these things--happiness, success, and fulfillment. Nor were we intended to focus on material pleasures and other cares of this world. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus did come to bring us abundant life, and he takes great joy in giving us good gifts. Make no mistake about that. But his utmost desire is for us to love him and others, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">seek his wisdom, and to be available for his purposes. He encourages us to stir up our gifts, to abide with him, to be in fellowship with other believers, and to keep learning, growing, and maturing. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2u6x3o7JI7cfMVKzev5gp-jkOfuELmO4osy4Stf5ohZY0sQkU-wlTZulXs4ycIz5ldYyk-23UQrlU1sNETOmhmCwGhPOAYb_-1VGB95IRrtUg7wVqqdT7Ynt2cVu1XxX-Ed_E-qveoExXNe6_o5QaZxMxSlOQ1JSkhZzWN1bmJtB8ZKFCvxn_Z1IP2oG/s1410/God's%20Gifts%20(flat%20pansies)%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1410" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2u6x3o7JI7cfMVKzev5gp-jkOfuELmO4osy4Stf5ohZY0sQkU-wlTZulXs4ycIz5ldYyk-23UQrlU1sNETOmhmCwGhPOAYb_-1VGB95IRrtUg7wVqqdT7Ynt2cVu1XxX-Ed_E-qveoExXNe6_o5QaZxMxSlOQ1JSkhZzWN1bmJtB8ZKFCvxn_Z1IP2oG/s320/God's%20Gifts%20(flat%20pansies)%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong><br /></strong></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><strong>Roles Change</strong></span><br /><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>All through life our roles change by sheer virtue of aging. Our careers change. Relationships change. Our children’s lives change. There is no stopping the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">There is no graduation ceremony for moms, so to speak. There are no textbooks for a woman to study to spell out what is next. So often the restlessness moms feel is fear of the unknown. Wondering what lies ahead; sensing a need to reinvent themselves but at a loss to know how to do so. </span><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span> </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong>Are You Reinventing Yourself?</strong></span><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">The search for re-invention and reinvigoration is an ongoing process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So let it be a 'process' without a predictable end in sight. To do this well, you'll need to learn to live in the moment, not the past, and not in fear of the future. You'll need to resist being hasty or judgmental. That is, walk through new circumstances without evaluating them harshly. Just let what is be what it is. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">When doubts assail you, refocus your thoughts on the present moment and be thankful for all you have. AND...STAY HOPEFUL. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO8hkV8LYOHF9BtuYoXpXSPffwXNjBQaELrQTGCYcaCJuEafVk50FKOhSDwxDUDSF2dH_lK-kWPcM1Y4wrOz1NokpdWzdJEbaVf5npB79Dg1jzSSy7BjRp69_yU8BrTlJdtcu1f1cIWzXxU60OB0ZJqa1S_RqJGZHksUm4yVLR5QC9gypAVSrO0p8GfCC/s960/Hopeful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO8hkV8LYOHF9BtuYoXpXSPffwXNjBQaELrQTGCYcaCJuEafVk50FKOhSDwxDUDSF2dH_lK-kWPcM1Y4wrOz1NokpdWzdJEbaVf5npB79Dg1jzSSy7BjRp69_yU8BrTlJdtcu1f1cIWzXxU60OB0ZJqa1S_RqJGZHksUm4yVLR5QC9gypAVSrO0p8GfCC/s320/Hopeful.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Here are a few more intentional steps you may want to take as you pursue your next life phase of reinvention:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1. Review the significant stages of your life thus far, if you haven't already. Divide them into chapters. Look at God's hand all through each phase and be thankful. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">What chapter are you about to begin now? </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be creative and give your next chapter a fancy title. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. In a journal, w</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">rite a long list</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> of questions to God about the upcoming chapter.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">4. Ask God to put new desires into your heart.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">5. Ask God to show you some simple steps to take on your desires.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. R</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ead a few devotional books as well as sections from a Bible and make note of what speaks to you that seems to coincide with your journal entries.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">7. In the days ahead, l</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ook for </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">confirmations and answers to your questions.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Search the Internet and take notes on what you find that spells out possibilities of new adventures. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Work on adding regular exercise and fresh air into your routine. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">10. Come up with five to 10 words that describe you right now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="d9FyLd" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; display: block; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28;">Philippians 2:13</span> </span></span><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSKRRjyJ98CR7IFsC39HrKSmOPaIiMrZ3VHmp9v7l4EG7_2jS8pTYxmhiCbiSkjSATPAT2KNdKjNg7WTJBUPfltCA8_sPz6Ui1SQz1B6WuRUMjHSEfPcC6HslO_dC8YrwY1K210zSxPF7LSxGQmxIZLEE06O8f5zjaoC2J66rSj3YrltUL_5I5QBgaHSx/s5178/Scan_20210503%20(17).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5178" data-original-width="4303" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSKRRjyJ98CR7IFsC39HrKSmOPaIiMrZ3VHmp9v7l4EG7_2jS8pTYxmhiCbiSkjSATPAT2KNdKjNg7WTJBUPfltCA8_sPz6Ui1SQz1B6WuRUMjHSEfPcC6HslO_dC8YrwY1K210zSxPF7LSxGQmxIZLEE06O8f5zjaoC2J66rSj3YrltUL_5I5QBgaHSx/w166-h200/Scan_20210503%20(17).jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What have you done lately to reinvent yourself? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>What tips do you have for others?</span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtLoPlGhzldkV69lOnh3UQ0b8TS04E4DC29RoJjVugDXjshC4Iwvq3Qv58KNcv4YRLYiPl7kldeizG3krkcUMDN53GxfeCaRWgjufB46Mud8FTjkqLJw7VeBuDD0HHuRMZPkdDlAIpWl8rN_TFcCst97R8L64KeGSTppxoclPmNOOcdv5jkwqTbnRoFtog" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="462" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtLoPlGhzldkV69lOnh3UQ0b8TS04E4DC29RoJjVugDXjshC4Iwvq3Qv58KNcv4YRLYiPl7kldeizG3krkcUMDN53GxfeCaRWgjufB46Mud8FTjkqLJw7VeBuDD0HHuRMZPkdDlAIpWl8rN_TFcCst97R8L64KeGSTppxoclPmNOOcdv5jkwqTbnRoFtog=w400-h210" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Quote by Tammy J. Hernandez</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-20910036011991467722023-10-27T15:10:00.002-04:002023-10-31T02:58:19.720-04:00Midlife Crisis Tips for Moving Forward<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMGtJTBnfDKV6kKQgTVBpehJUFQza-7gS1pbO4SxECsLeg3m6wbvn00I681_Gr9xQ_O4mRmpJwqi7Hh7wD8CHLYrwLwvXJ20Awp2-ELiyNd84XOXeMEA_NN-kJSDECL0xLxqHqkzFbOdlNVYbdoWLlQHKFqcgHu_9IW-pTbnc98jA7JkjMDGJLAUq8O6C/s695/fall%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="694" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMGtJTBnfDKV6kKQgTVBpehJUFQza-7gS1pbO4SxECsLeg3m6wbvn00I681_Gr9xQ_O4mRmpJwqi7Hh7wD8CHLYrwLwvXJ20Awp2-ELiyNd84XOXeMEA_NN-kJSDECL0xLxqHqkzFbOdlNVYbdoWLlQHKFqcgHu_9IW-pTbnc98jA7JkjMDGJLAUq8O6C/s320/fall%20photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Tossing and turning were yielding nothing. Sleep had evaded me once again, and troubled feelings were stirring. So I carefully reached for my fluffy robe and slid out of bed as quietly as I could. My husband slept soundly as I tiptoed out the door and down the stairs to the lower level office.</span><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The brightness of the computer screen was blinding in the darkened room. Two-thirty was the time on the clock when I began my web search for answers for my chaotic feelings, and 4:30 was the time when I returned to bed and finally fell asleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For that two hours, I sat, in the quiet of the night, typing various combinations of words into the search bar. One phrase I typed into the search bar was one that I'd heard a lot about, but surely didn't think fit me, after all, I wasn't looking for a younger man or wanting to buy a sportscar (you know the old cliche?)<br /><br />There I sat though, and typed the words:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"m-i-d-l-i-f-e c-r-i-s-i-s".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRyp2_a_D5f8fIyq1AzpAVpWtF13qtkT2S02wqCxULCOWOyBPZcOJ-mOu1T-FgPcqjrCcpZuDUe65kIQqNK4DCQJfExDZKCSUaxOTGxChHMeKQ749Uww7iXKVdcTh_NMxVSmgyg_FUBkL/s1600/I+have+provision.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRyp2_a_D5f8fIyq1AzpAVpWtF13qtkT2S02wqCxULCOWOyBPZcOJ-mOu1T-FgPcqjrCcpZuDUe65kIQqNK4DCQJfExDZKCSUaxOTGxChHMeKQ749Uww7iXKVdcTh_NMxVSmgyg_FUBkL/s320/I+have+provision.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>This story is in my <a href="16 Essential Steps to Help You Walk Through Your Midlife Crisis: A Self-Coaching Tool for Midlife Christian Women" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle book</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><i>16 Essential Steps to Help You Walk Through Your Midlife Crisis: A Self-Coaching Tool for Midlife Christian Women <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Essential-Steps-Through-Midlife-Crisis-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="471" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWkMpqdhXa8bZHEacF933mgZFY-BQpOiFFzHbpvjJ23u5btTs0ZafNjumR7dmDH2HemgJ6U3x3FxIp-QkyDl0B5XsHyCV8rHzDrIWAlZCycGZF-k5K0ERr1ZnBp5ZeuIoBl-y2yprTKE0JzJOGNSAPr3KA186J3R6nYi4yR06CUnaP20fgNLFxEB3bxk2/s320/crisis%20book.PNG" width="208" /></a></div><br /></i></span></span><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>WAS I HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS?</b><br /><br /><br />After reading a few of the descriptions for midlife crisis over several websites, I found a few points that resonated with me. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd concurred with the descriptions of feelings of</span><b style="font-family: verdana;"> panic</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">sadness </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">that had been washing over me o</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">n for some time by then. <b>I</b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">nsomnia</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> had been regularly creeping in. <b>Hot flashes </b>abounded. The more I read, the more I decided I was in a perimenopausal midlife crisis</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />I wondered, <b>"</b>Will I find answers to help me feel better? Or, will I be stuck feeling bad forever?"<br /><br /><b>Happy to Have a Diagnosis </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Google is great for diagnosing oneself. Sometimes it's wrong, but at times, it can be helpful. Once I had diagnosed myself, I embarked on a new journey. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My problems of rising and falling moods, nightsweats, and so on, didn't instantly vanish. I wasn't given the complete picture of what God wanted next for me. In retrospect, I can now tell you <b>a midlife crisis is something to walk through.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For me, it required speaking boldly to my physician about everything. And she suggested I see a mental health therapist. Of course, I also did a lot of reading and praying. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I had so many deep thoughts, I felt sharing them with a run-of-the mill friend or relative would cause them to stop being friends or laugh me out of the room. I looked into the therapist my doctor recommended, but she had no open spots for months. I needed help NOW! So I looked into the options provided by my husband's work health plan. I found that sharing my heart by email with an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) counsellor was helpful for that time. I used a couple of different ones who cited they were Christian based. And they were very reassuring. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And later, as I went through life coach training myself, I hired three different life coaches at different times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I really needed a trusted friend to share life with. But I didn't have a bestie (as they say) where I lived in Winnipeg--one of the places we had job transferred to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have a longtime history of living life as a loner with social anxiety, am an introvert, have low self-confidence, experience bouts of melancholy, and I have had enough experiences to not know whom I can trust. I'm from a family of five siblings and growing up was tumultuous. Even siblings have had their own viewpoint of life growing up which didn't match mine. So sharing life concerns with them can be troubling. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm only now coming to terms with the idea the above-noted traits are how God made me and I have nothing profoundly wrong with those parts of me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you have a good and trusted friend to talk to, that may be just as good as therapy for yoiu. But if you're like me, not a good friend maker, knowing who to share what with can be troublesome. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There are many things a woman doesn't want to share with just anyone. So do hire a therapist online or in person. And do try working with a life coach. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwNcQMaZ6Hfy5ZHzVxUfYAeuAZPUqf924T79Ux0D4V5Oc9AuF9oYSVu0XzoCI5luu1Ulsa8hMGO5GT2eW5yLE2fYg1ICYss-0kHzkEDqYDaTSEjBxNxU-15SkB_k41PGZjBCnrfKSQWHftHFh2ATO4OAKw4pEjL1qFzmHFsKP4iUCSNsXWS8KNgIuq5zp/s6509/Happy%20Tree%20-%20Copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6509" data-original-width="4734" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwNcQMaZ6Hfy5ZHzVxUfYAeuAZPUqf924T79Ux0D4V5Oc9AuF9oYSVu0XzoCI5luu1Ulsa8hMGO5GT2eW5yLE2fYg1ICYss-0kHzkEDqYDaTSEjBxNxU-15SkB_k41PGZjBCnrfKSQWHftHFh2ATO4OAKw4pEjL1qFzmHFsKP4iUCSNsXWS8KNgIuq5zp/s320/Happy%20Tree%20-%20Copy.png" width="233" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>HOW LIFE COACHING HELPED ME</b><br /><br />Dealing with troubling feelings and not knowing where to find answers can provoke a lot of fear in a woman. <br /><b>Prayer works,</b> but it was clearly not all that I needed. I'd been trying to pray "those feelings" away many times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Finally, other than casting my cares on God, it was helpful to have a Christian Life Coach to cast my cares on. Each prayed over my concerns. That in itself was worth the money.<br /><br /><b>FINDING A COACH</b><br /><br />If you're interested in walking through your midlife crisis with a life coach, my suggestion is to look for a coach that seems to gear her practice towards the themes you feel most troubled about. In other words, unless you want to work on building a business, don't choose a coach that specializes in business-building, but if you want to change careers, do choose a career coach.<br /><br />There are many general life coaches around. Do an online search and try out a few sessions with one.<br /></span><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-32990095551613242712023-10-23T13:40:00.006-04:002024-01-29T02:17:05.963-05:00Ways to Address Your Midlife Crisis <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_cKjTDQuxrSbnrpBCx0UAhlR-4l8DiD9AfAD2UD1BKDP6QJe6fa4sk1_7eT-fn6mAJuevWeMgiadJy6gXkuG6SLRsB49DfDng-X-oAGMnys339jB0LXYMpFNJ1Dp5CuNPoOa8_s9c8NsYtfdeLODODtB72_I7eUDUqxu95kxbgsByXwafydBnXgLNqGc/s3408/Me%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3408" data-original-width="2556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_cKjTDQuxrSbnrpBCx0UAhlR-4l8DiD9AfAD2UD1BKDP6QJe6fa4sk1_7eT-fn6mAJuevWeMgiadJy6gXkuG6SLRsB49DfDng-X-oAGMnys339jB0LXYMpFNJ1Dp5CuNPoOa8_s9c8NsYtfdeLODODtB72_I7eUDUqxu95kxbgsByXwafydBnXgLNqGc/s320/Me%202023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />I find it a bit peculiar to be writing for my Midlife blog
at this life stage given that I've already moved beyond the midlife phase. In
fact, I'm on the brink of becoming an official senior next month as I celebrate
my 65th birthday! Nonetheless, I'm aware that a fresh wave of women have
entered the midlife stage and could benefit from some guidance. That's why I've
decided to revisit and refresh some of the older posts I began crafting over a
decade ago.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>So What's All the Talk about Midlife Crisis?</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I know women will do a search engine search for <i>midlife crisis </i>when they don't have another word to put on how they're feeling. I know because I did it so many years ago. When a woman finds herself in what she perceives as a "crisis"
during midlife, her primary desire often centres around shedding unsettling emotions. However, the root causes of these feelings can be quite
diverse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Many women have experienced moments of joy and happiness, the sensation
of a healthy body, and the pursuit of meaningful goals over their lifetime to date. They've known what it
feels like to be affirmed and needed, desired even. Often, these are the emotions they yearn to
reclaim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For many women, a looming apprehension revolves around the future and
the uncertainty it holds. That future might be described as years ahead, but more often it is simply the week ahead. They want to jump out of their emotional pain and into that exciting new adventure as soon as possible. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As children grow and prepare to move on themselves, a
sense of melancholy can wash over a woman. Some women even feel jealous of their children's active lives. It can become easy to get caught up in feeling
sorry for where they currently find themselves--not quite as young, beautiful, and spry as in the past. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And some can't picture a positive future version of themselves, one that includes health and well-being and no children in the
home. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then again, some women have had problem children who can't wait for the children to move out and have lives on their own. But the adult children remain, gobbling up their time and energy. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To get over these confusing feelings it is essential to put down imaginary desires for what might be a different and better life and instead accept and appreciate the present for all it holds. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Train your mind to appreciate today, and rest
assured that as your children eventually move on that you'll evolve too. Ask the Lord to help you look forward to the future he has planned for you.</span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy9Q88idn9J_fZMKc7OhN6Zs8EBlL8sS7AXHDBDPBm7-IYZH4XD6hmfhUDDoE-5ONXQb1QwmtSTFym4ACoihbIokSaXo2Ezcmt2mNIz38WhU2pdXiYsURorp-fEAWgPOTufjFBPlM10Nn3KLqnTnnh7xkgI6qUw3tguyVLSM2II70lS6nkvkCCtuHwapH/s1080/Frivolity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy9Q88idn9J_fZMKc7OhN6Zs8EBlL8sS7AXHDBDPBm7-IYZH4XD6hmfhUDDoE-5ONXQb1QwmtSTFym4ACoihbIokSaXo2Ezcmt2mNIz38WhU2pdXiYsURorp-fEAWgPOTufjFBPlM10Nn3KLqnTnnh7xkgI6qUw3tguyVLSM2II70lS6nkvkCCtuHwapH/s320/Frivolity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Ways to Alleviate Your Midlife Crisis</b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let's delve into ways to
address and alleviate the turbulent emotions that frequently arise in midlife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's common for women to attribute
their emotional turmoil to various external factors such as their husbands,
financial constraints, or life circumstances. In their quest to find relief,
they may attempt to manipulate these circumstances to improve their emotional
state. This could involve seeking new job opportunities, engaging in extramarital affairs,
or displaying erratic behavior towards their spouses, among other things.
However, it's crucial for women to recognize that what they truly desire is
often <b>not a change in their external circumstances but rather a release from
the distressing emotions themselves.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In other words, be cautious of following the world's ideas of tossing your job or relationships out the window too hastily. Don't give up what is right in front of you for some whimsical dream of a better life. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvZ9-_6zFe91IGgLnLKSc2dW7HpmGom1HmuKYm4MybMW7BumUle3I85TdD2m9T8gsEIVJ6hTzYkvjxkySQqWlrUpvsXpfHrnFpMoTB6MB5Cs7KLVELmm5KaS3TwvNtd4XBbKDwGrnaXXUdNOTNqeS7d-pBRO14K6aOR8bmoSTbxDTVsibdWu2VRxZxSSv/s1162/LOVE%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1162" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvZ9-_6zFe91IGgLnLKSc2dW7HpmGom1HmuKYm4MybMW7BumUle3I85TdD2m9T8gsEIVJ6hTzYkvjxkySQqWlrUpvsXpfHrnFpMoTB6MB5Cs7KLVELmm5KaS3TwvNtd4XBbKDwGrnaXXUdNOTNqeS7d-pBRO14K6aOR8bmoSTbxDTVsibdWu2VRxZxSSv/s320/LOVE%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my Doodle/Novelty Artwork.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Tips for Managing Your Emotions </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here are a few ideas for
overcoming troubled feelings in midlife:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Self-Reflection:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Be curious about your thoughts and feelings in an attempt to understand the root causes of your
emotions. Self-awareness can be the first step towards addressing and
resolving underlying issues.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Seek Support:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist who can provide a listening
ear and valuable insights. Sharing your feelings and experiences can be
cathartic and enlightening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Emotional Management:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Explore techniques for emotional regulation, such as mindfulness,
meditation, or giving yourself permission to rest or pace yourself. These practices may help you cope with
difficult emotions in a healthier way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Set Realistic Goals:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Instead of seeking external changes, focus on setting small, realistic, and
attainable personal goals. Achieving small goals may boost your sense
of accomplishment and well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Reignite Passions:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Reconnect with hobbies or interests that once brought you joy or new ones you believe may bring you joy. Then share them with the world. Share photos on social media or in a blog of your own. Share them in a community setting. Share them in your own front yard. Working on your passions can reignite a sense of purpose and
fulfillment, and obtaining feedback from others will give you a boost. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Communication:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Open and honest communication with your partner can be instrumental in
addressing relationship issues and finding solutions together. Look each other in the eye when speaking, and echo back what each person is saying so each feels validated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Acceptance:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
Understand that midlife is a phase of transition and self-discovery. No matter what steps you take to retain your youth, aging will happen. Embrace the changes and uncertainties as opportunities for personal growth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Professional Help:</span></b><span style="line-height: 200%;">
If your emotions feel overwhelming and persistent, don't hesitate to seek
the guidance of a mental health professional who can provide tailored
support and strategies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Remember, if you're in a midlife crisis, it's often the
inner emotional landscape that requires attention and transformation rather
than external changes. You can find peace and contentment during midlife especially as you give yourself grace and acceptance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="display: none; line-height: 200%;">Top
of Form<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-71467636879765239662023-10-08T23:25:00.003-04:002023-10-08T23:27:22.761-04:00Are You Having a Midlife Crisis?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was in my mid-forties at the time when I f</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ound myself awake at 3 or 4 am, unable to sleep and feeling troubled. I needed to sleep because I had school-aged children who I'd be getting up in but a few hours to feed and get off to school. The confusing emotions that hit me in those wee hours led me to a web search on <i>Midlife Crisis</i>.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxtk4faFBbDP8XDAsdoOm3uBBpzJSLc_VEOCYfYilrMQpA73F5zIC3lhC12YLFQQnPluV7iRqjOpVACRvLPH8wfvE_K8NnN5kUo9IQdbSB2lOnvMy9q_gGaSckO79Ezq_2jBTk7iOGvm7/s1600/creativeorder1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxtk4faFBbDP8XDAsdoOm3uBBpzJSLc_VEOCYfYilrMQpA73F5zIC3lhC12YLFQQnPluV7iRqjOpVACRvLPH8wfvE_K8NnN5kUo9IQdbSB2lOnvMy9q_gGaSckO79Ezq_2jBTk7iOGvm7/s1600/creativeorder1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Then and later on as I studied the topic, I discovered that countless midlife women have similar insomnia issues. Alongside them, may be feelings of a midlife crisis that might be described as grieving or melancholy combined with an urgency to know what lies ahead on the road. I craved hope that there was something meaningful in life still to come. I craved relationships, but was not good at finding them. But even with the good I had in my life, my thoughts often tormented me. I didn't know how to get out of my rut.<br /><br />Midlife crisis feelings are as prevalent in Christian circles as they are for women of other faiths. Some feel these confusing emotions as early as in their 30s but they are more common in a woman's mid-to late 40s and beyond.<br /><br />And the feelings can come and go. Even when a woman thinks she's over the hump of uncomfortable "lost" type feelings, the feelings may creep back. That's often because she is triggered hormonally which we know is a cycle. But life events can also be at play. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>My Crisis Story </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At the time just prior to my midlife crisis, my husband had decided to purchase exercise equipment, and I, crazily decided if I quit my membership at Curves (exercise location), that I could put that money toward the equipment and use his equipment for exercise. We were, afterall, still on a strict budget. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Curves was sometimes pleasant, but more often than not, the interaction with other women I sought wasn't happening. It seemed to be a loss I could live with. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though by then I'd taken life coach certification, getting paying clients was very difficult.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> And the part time office job I took didn't work out for me. I thought God had given me an epiphany about another church and so I made what I thought was a right decision to change churches too. I hoped I could more freely share my life coaching abilities in a new church. I hoped to make closer friends. But neither of those things happened to the degree I hoped. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The reason I point out these two incidents is that, as a stay-at-home mom, I was lonely and cutting myself off from these two social outlets left me feeling more isolated which resulted in depression. Then again, I was going through perimenopause which I feel was connected to the new depression I was battling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Bzsj5x7ZOuAgQeIpVNLvW6aI1RqitKTTw9fpkgrKT9H69IHaXurRojB2voOeL0wsHyo77U44JXvVENY7kXdisI4NSJK16yhYQKWxDwaGoEKvjaGCw8LsVv_lsqW3Bs-j3MNH0xW1JWXwwgFd5qxDYs2N_WLrpyIDmLdlUG1lXAdzPC0vE7a5Dbikoqd/s940/%E2%80%9CWeeping%20may%20endure%20for%20a%20night,%20But%20joy%20comes%20in%20the%20morning%E2%80%9D%20(Psalm%20305b,%20NKJV).%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Bzsj5x7ZOuAgQeIpVNLvW6aI1RqitKTTw9fpkgrKT9H69IHaXurRojB2voOeL0wsHyo77U44JXvVENY7kXdisI4NSJK16yhYQKWxDwaGoEKvjaGCw8LsVv_lsqW3Bs-j3MNH0xW1JWXwwgFd5qxDYs2N_WLrpyIDmLdlUG1lXAdzPC0vE7a5Dbikoqd/w400-h335/%E2%80%9CWeeping%20may%20endure%20for%20a%20night,%20But%20joy%20comes%20in%20the%20morning%E2%80%9D%20(Psalm%20305b,%20NKJV).%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><br />It can be helpful for a midlife woman to understand the possible causes for her feelings so she can put coping strategies into place. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think making changes in my life would end up putting me into a deeper rut. But it did. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And so, there I was late at night on my computer in the dark wearing a fluffy purple robe my husband had gifted me, I think age 49, looking for answers for my midlife crisis.<br /><br /><br /><strong>POSSIBLE REASONS FOR A MIDLIFE CRISIS</strong><br /><br />As I learned more, I discovered there were many reasons I was in a rut. Here are a few reasons a woman may have the feeling she's in a midlife crisis. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She may be:</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">grieving the growth stages of her children and sensing her own role changing</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">craving a life of her own beyond marriage and children</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">grieving never having had children</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">entering the empty nest or fearing an impending empty nest</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">recognizing that many goals have been achieved--education, career, marriage, children, home ownership...and now experiencing a plateau resulting in a bored feeling</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">experiencing marriage difficulties or disappointments</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">navigating ongoing singleness</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">dealing with a recent separation or divorce</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">experiencing job loss or the inability to find work</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">trying to restore a sputtering business and having financial fears</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">parenting but having trouble with teens</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">experiencing pain, illness, and general body aging issues</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">dealing with unwanted weight gain</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">coping with chronic stiff and sore muscles</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">working through perimenopause; menopause and other hormonal imbalances that cause hot flashes, headaches and more</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">feeling unhappy with her life evaluation</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">wondering what's next and not finding answers</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">feeling disappointed with life or people</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">failing to have reached goals by a certain age</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">facing ongoing fatigue</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">lonely feeling unable to make close friends</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">unrealistic expectations</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQGKLxGG9duT7GNumq3Ytfq75ru6t8zRdQJ9Zyo4aMT8B4cFsvSkL2Zru1_l7IslSVwE8P7-Tj5Ap8tynQJJJadfPF2y2IjOszs1hA5jEEnd3__fuIRFdNSzYOUNvK6HS0whhey83OkW/s1600/icthus+(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQGKLxGG9duT7GNumq3Ytfq75ru6t8zRdQJ9Zyo4aMT8B4cFsvSkL2Zru1_l7IslSVwE8P7-Tj5Ap8tynQJJJadfPF2y2IjOszs1hA5jEEnd3__fuIRFdNSzYOUNvK6HS0whhey83OkW/s200/icthus+(2).jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Here are but a few reasons <b>Christian women</b> may have a midlife crisis:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All the above, <b>plus</b>...</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Disappointment with God for not granting her heart's desires</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Difficulty hearing from God</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Difficulty accepting what God seems to allow</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Feeling she has some how spiritually failed her family</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unanswered prayers, especially concerning her spouse or lack of spouse or children</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lack of financial prosperity expected from God</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unfulfilled ministry dreams</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unanswered prayers regarding personal fulfillment</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Disillusionment with the church or other believers</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Spiritual attack--the devil's temptations of dissatisfaction and "greener grass" syndrome</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN'S MID-LIFE CRISIS: The Good and the Bad</span></strong><br /><br />It may help a woman to talk with another woman about her struggles--preferably with one who can relate. (It's tough, though, to fess up to a woman who has no clue what you're talking about.)<br /><br />You may try joining a Facebook group with women who seem to be in a similar phase, but sometimes even those groups go awry. I encourage you to study and learn through <a href="https://midlifechristianwoman.blogspot.com/p/shop.html">books </a>that will help walk you through your struggles.<br /><br />The good is, midlife crisis feelings can cause a woman to draw closer to God as she goes on a quest for answers. The bad is without help, <u>a woman may become stuck in thought patterns that lead her to spiral downward into depression</u>. The bad is a woman may make drastic life decisions she may later regret.<br /><br />For these reasons, it is important for a Christian woman <b>to wage constant war on her moods and thoughts</b>. Check out everything, and count the cost before taking any drastic steps.<br /><br />A woman can be helped in battling troubling thoughts and feelings through the professional help of a physician, mental health therapist, or life coach. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At that time, I also had a dog I took for regular walks. She and I had many adventures I now fondly look back on. I participated in a Mothers Who Pray group and worked with Korean women practicing conversational English. But all that time, I still wasn't settled. I wanted more. And God didn't open bigger doors. The doors I had were probably where he wanted me, but it was just too easy to discredit them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And I eventually was given an anti-depressant and signed on for counselling and more life coaching as I walked through my midlife crisis. <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssgp9-s0MnFfjPPUKGhiMExwHY6uZQ_navRhdotskHSNucvJVuboYiGCxywzvU85LXiJaM-PbVELFOrRBkrz3IlZ1O2_ADSYWU4FcKS9KcOTbqjJAEVzSFbi8wAYXpETbVB1LJeSTC2NI/s1600/creativeorder4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssgp9-s0MnFfjPPUKGhiMExwHY6uZQ_navRhdotskHSNucvJVuboYiGCxywzvU85LXiJaM-PbVELFOrRBkrz3IlZ1O2_ADSYWU4FcKS9KcOTbqjJAEVzSFbi8wAYXpETbVB1LJeSTC2NI/s1600/creativeorder4.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>I say in my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-Through-Midlife-Crisis-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U">eBook </a>, a midlife crisis isn't something you SOLVE. It is something you walk through. <br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-23904309862131644772023-10-07T03:18:00.003-04:002023-12-23T02:06:51.100-05:00What are You Looking for Help with? Midlife Crisis, Menopause, or Life Purpose?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69-VnGOEn-WU4bVvh4Kruo1nWpwGeBumuwzmMSr66CIAv5gVbDYHvn_Cef00PRYl0lMGp0Qb1fnxavzrFqy8fvN3FWvTEwCp38bz1TFmoXSXoaV8Bwxewj77-4ZRxqjn3x8WZnUD5x0xnOyC2ZWWiAufj4Q-TuC6VjCLx3gEVJGj2v4OKw3EE-PeDJt55/s2605/centrepiece.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="2605" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69-VnGOEn-WU4bVvh4Kruo1nWpwGeBumuwzmMSr66CIAv5gVbDYHvn_Cef00PRYl0lMGp0Qb1fnxavzrFqy8fvN3FWvTEwCp38bz1TFmoXSXoaV8Bwxewj77-4ZRxqjn3x8WZnUD5x0xnOyC2ZWWiAufj4Q-TuC6VjCLx3gEVJGj2v4OKw3EE-PeDJt55/w400-h348/centrepiece.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Re-write of 2014 article)</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />My theme here often and with my coaching tools is <i><b>midlife crisis</b></i>. I realize by using that term, I ostracize many. That's because either those in a crisis don't want to think in those terms, or readers simply are not in a crisis every day. Nevertheless, I am revamping previous blog posts and you will see many on midlife crisis in the future. <br /><br />It was recently pointed out to me I could write on <i><b>menopause</b></i>. Why? Because I spent 10 years going through it! The phase before menopause is called perimenopause. It is complex. The changes it brings to the body and mind can be connected to midlife crisis feelings too. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For a time, I didn't want to give midlife crisis or menopause any weight or make either a topic of focus, but since writing on it I've had many readers. There is a need to vulnerably cover these issues. These are real issues that many women, Christian or secular, want help for. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There have been several challenges I've faced myself due to the <i>change of life</i>. I address some of it in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-You-Walk-Through-Midlife-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U/ref=dp_olp_1" target="_blank">eBook</a>. What I do want to say is: if either of these topics is what brought you to this blog today, my advice to you is to--be patient with yourself, pamper yourself, be your own advocate, find help for troubling emotions, build a team of support around you as best you can and, basically, don't do anything drastic like sell all your possessions, have a meltdown at work, or leave your husband.<br /><br />I also write on <i><b>life purpose</b></i>. That is a common search topic of midlife women. I trained as a life purpose coach--a process that takes a woman through a number of probing questions. You can find the handbook I used <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Conversations-Purpose-Women-Katie-Brazelton/dp/073945336X">here</a>. Each week, as her coach, I'd meet with my client by phone to hear her discoveries after she worked on one of the chapters. The goal was to help her tie together life threads that would help her see who God made her to be and what mission he might want her to work on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-You-Walk-Through-Midlife-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U/ref=dp_olp_1" target="_blank">eBook</a>, I do talk somewhat about this theme as well. After going through the coaching process with many women, I'm not sure how effective it was in helping them narrow down one life purpose. The idea of finding <b>one big purpose</b> is a little overblown, in my opinion. My interpretation is that life holds a variety of purposes for most women. I mean, for example, when a woman becomes a mom, there are a gazillion purposes in that role she will fulfill. But many women discount it looking for something with a title--something more fulfilling. That isn't to say a woman isn't also supposed to enjoy a career or ministry. She can. But it is her God-given gifts she uses in her job or ministry that are part of her purpose, not the job title itself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And, of course, the Word of God points out our primary purpose: to love God and our neighbours. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So the pursuit of life purpose, in my opinion, is very involved. And it changes depending on your life phase. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>How I Live My Purpose</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For years, I wanted nothing more than to nail down <i style="font-weight: bold;">one big purpose </i>for myself. In 2007, I thought life coaching would be it. But I was disappointed. Instead, I poured myself into becoming a freelance web content writer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I received a high-paying writing assignment one day, I felt the way I'd longed to feel for some time--being paid what I felt I was worth as a writer--confirmation of my calling. It felt good. But since I write freelance, once one assignment was done, I needed my next. The feeling of living my purpose wasn't sustainable. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So I want to caution women that they may not find <i>the</i> perfect answer about what their life purpose is. Please, don't frustrate yourself looking for <i>it</i>. Instead, live each day in the place God has called you to. Do all for the glory of God and don't fret about wanting to do something more important. <br /><br />My life journey has been multi-directional. Now, I ask God what he has on the agenda for me each day. My prayer is:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><blockquote>"Please direct me into what will be the best use of my time and energy." </blockquote></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I say <i>energy </i>in that prayer because I'm very aware that I don't have the same physical energy I did when I was younger. I need to pace myself. And so I look to God to give me wisdom on a daily, minute-by-minute basis. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That writing assignment was unexpected. I didn't go hunting for it. It found me. And it was a great surprise. Also over the last three years, I was involved in a confidential volunteer project. Again, it found me. And it was very fulfilling. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But truth be told, it works against my personality to live this way--collecting manna day by day. But that's been how God's called me to live it seems. It may very well be the way God wants you to live too--not finding one BIG answer, merely living out each challenging day as it's presented.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Psalm 32:8- The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best </span></span></span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: blue; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">pathway for your life. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: blue; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will advise you and watch over you."</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you believe it?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Proverbs 16:9— ”A man’s heart plans his way, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">but the Lord directs his steps."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Have you experienced this?</span></span></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Proverbs 1:33 </span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">declares- </span></span></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana;">“But whoever listens to me </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: verdana;">will dwell safely, and will be secure, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: verdana;">without</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: verdana;"> fear of evil.”</span></span></div></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Do you want this for yourself?</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-34910122800270307562023-10-06T01:37:00.004-04:002023-12-23T02:08:49.533-05:00Midlife Woes of Many Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsXFba7mEl5c9ZgU0n2KT8ur1tp-MbhN9YHrBHiSfcL3ttpm4OHCORiOfLCjlKfKalR-S96I6hV7u3_I2JjGrby15SK31tww3WmWqwqXbZxhDpgUC1z5VfHMd28PO18miwtgn8YrHH6wI/s1600/rebecca+147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsXFba7mEl5c9ZgU0n2KT8ur1tp-MbhN9YHrBHiSfcL3ttpm4OHCORiOfLCjlKfKalR-S96I6hV7u3_I2JjGrby15SK31tww3WmWqwqXbZxhDpgUC1z5VfHMd28PO18miwtgn8YrHH6wI/s320/rebecca+147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(rewrite of 2012 article) </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was reading a book that had a chapter on <i>Menopause</i>. It could have equally been entitled, <i>MidLife Crisis and Women</i>.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A woman described her story something like this [revised slightly]: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">...I had hot flashes at inconvenient times. I always felt like I needed to announce them, but my husband really didn't want to know. But I wanted him to know because we're close in age and I wanted to go through this together! After all, if my fertility were drying up, shouldn't he be aware of it? Isn't it the end of "our" fertility?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">...I noticed new wrinkles on my face and a double chin. I needed to color my hair more often. No matter how hard I exercised I continued to gain weight, and I hated my reflection. I wanted to look great at my daughter's high school graduation, but I felt frumpy and self-conscious. I wanted my husband to be attracted to me, but he was getting really lousy (or lazy) about giving me compliments--when I needed them most..."</span></i></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">MIDLIFE WOES</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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Many women in midlife women have issues common to these. Many of the issues are rooted in physical changes but those issues can affect emotional well-being too. <br />
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These topics of midlife crisis and menopause are rarely addressed in Christian circles, the workplace, or in family circles. Everyone seems to like to pretend everything in their world is perfect. They have no issues that anyone else needs to know about. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If a woman seems off balance, she may look for other reasons to explain it away rather than consider the role perimenopause or menopause is playing. (*Pay attention, especially if you are in the age 45 to 55 range.) <br />
<br /><b>Symptoms of Peri-Menopause and Menopause </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not every woman deals with midlife challenges. My 85-year-old mother-in-law said she had none when she went through menopause. "Poof, one day it was just different" is how I recall her explaining it. Either that is true or her memory waned. I'm sure in her day, menopause wasn't talked about either so maybe she was simply unaware. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But for those who do get symptoms, the challenges are real. I had excessive bleeding at times. One sneeze during a period and I'd have to change my clothes. I had what I described as a 'new kind of depression'. It didn't fit the criteria doctors used in diagnosis. I could mark it on a calendar though. It lasted a couple weeks and arrived AFTER a period. I strongly felt it was hormonally related. However my doctor did no hormone testing and disagreed with my suggestion that HRT might fix it. It took me more episodes of depression to push me to make an appointment to discuss depression and nothing else (doctors where I live require the purpose of appointments to be specific). I finally declared to the doctor I was depressed. She put me on medication and gave me the name of a therapist as she believed it best to have both kinds of support. Her therapist was overbooked and I could not get in, so I searched for one on my own (not an easy process). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Weight gain is common in this phase for many. Some women need more sleep. Others struggle with chronic insomnia that affects the quality of their work day. Some midlife women are dominated by hot flashes or menopausal migraine headaches. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>My Hot Flash Story </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I purchased cool sheets. I suggest </span><a href="https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/serta-coolmax-performance-sheet-set-dark-grey/6000201277849" style="font-family: verdana;">Serta Coolmax Sheets. </a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I put an ice pack under my pillow so when I was hot I could flip the pillow over and find relief as the underside would be cold on my face. I kept a fan in my bedroom. Later, we added a window air conditioner since the house cooling system didn't reach our bedroom as well as I needed it to. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At one appointment, I sat on the doctor's table in a hospital gown to discuss my hot flashes. By the end of the examination, the tissue she'd laid down on the table was stuck to me--soaked in sweat--proof I was ready for hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). I went on HRT to get me over the 'hump' at that time, and the hot flashes and night sweats resolved IMMEDIATELY. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The symptoms of perimenopause, menopause or midlife appear at various ages for different women and can go on for years. Many reach full menopause in their early 50s, but I didn't reach it until I was 56. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><strong>FIND HELP AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER</strong> <br />
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When the Bible suggests encouraging one another or helping those who are struggling, things like menopause and mid-life crisis are rarely what come to mind. But these REAL LIFE issues can be included. When women share their feelings, struggles, and most of all, solutions, they help each other. <br />
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There probably is no one-fits-all solution. Some women are relieved by anti-depressants or HRT (hormone replacement therapy), while others refuse to try anything--sometimes because of family history health reasons or simply fear. Most women prefer to manage their symptoms on their own. <br />
<br />The problem with not understanding what perimenopause can do to a woman's well-being is how it can affect her life choices. For instance, some women dealing with new depression blame their feelings on their spouse, being married, their job, or lack of career, and set out to make drastic changes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They may consider separation, divorce, leaving their job, or having an affair. They crave change, but they can't always put their finger on what that change needs to be. If not carefully investigated, a woman may make life choices that she'll one day regret. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For sure, midlife flings a woman into a phase of life evaluation. The working woman evaluates her life as does the homemaker. It's not easy in one article to explain the complaints or the solutions. But one thing I will share since this is a Christian blog, is how </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">imperative it is that a woman become mindful of the devil's playground she may find herself in during midlife. When a woman is in a vulnerable phase of life, it's easy for Satan to use the opportunity to confuse her. He'd love nothing more than to break her family apart. He'd love for her to spout angry words that make her husband want to leave her. He'd love to keep her down with depression. He'd love to make her lose hope. So, my dear midlife friend, stay</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on guard. Don't let the devil make your life any more complicated than it is. He is the father of lies and it's important to stay alert. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is an article that outlines some of the </span><a href="https://waynation.com/20-lies-satan-tells-us/" style="font-family: verdana;">lies Satan tells humans. </a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I'm glad you found my blog post. Here are some guidelines that may help you during this midlife, perimenopausal, and post-menopause phase. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Tips</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Find another woman to
share your struggles with. Gather professionals around you to provide guidance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There
are solutions for hot flashes/night sweats when or if they get
intolerable, speak to your doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Therapy
when depressed can be very helpful, don't dismiss it.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Don't
be afraid of trying anti-depressant medication if your brain chemistry is
the root of many or your issues. Life is too short to live it depressed. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do
current research on HRT. There is much that debunks former fears. Talk to
others on HRT and hear their thoughts.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Seek the help of a life coach for specific areas you'd like to have help with. </span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pick up some good resources: online articles, books, and so on. </span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Look for opportunities to meet in groups with other women--maybe church groups, exercise circles, and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cast your cares on God. Journal your thoughts. Trust he has a plan for you beyond midlife.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-90611313300576538602023-09-23T13:48:00.005-04:002023-12-23T02:10:36.936-05:00A Possible Life Map to Help Your Midlife Journey<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are you looking for ways to reboot your post-pandemic life as a midlife woman? Do you feel everything has changed? Or are you in a rut and crave change?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If so, you're not imagining it and you're not alone. The pandemic changed the way many of us do life. And midlife demands change. But one thing has not changed. God still promises to lead and guide us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwW2ZDy2SjaMLAdLlJOAniCQX2lWoXJ8XGJ4ckK-C1RydSPHSiAZP-tsNbOHsg-qpvtGZMV86ERD53Imk2o0ewux488WXpezsn_R5Fp-79GvzxTiDCN65HvGpjvreuum2HL7NL8VisgXtlOYUcYYweLUxc7gL4zlP1L_CYrmzEU1u3hzYpXhidkUQXaGy/s940/%E2%80%9CI%20will%20instruct%20you%20and%20teach%20you%20in%20the%20way%20you%20should%20go;I%20will%20guide%20you%20with%20My%20eye%E2%80%9D%20(Psalm%2032_8-10.%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwW2ZDy2SjaMLAdLlJOAniCQX2lWoXJ8XGJ4ckK-C1RydSPHSiAZP-tsNbOHsg-qpvtGZMV86ERD53Imk2o0ewux488WXpezsn_R5Fp-79GvzxTiDCN65HvGpjvreuum2HL7NL8VisgXtlOYUcYYweLUxc7gL4zlP1L_CYrmzEU1u3hzYpXhidkUQXaGy/s320/%E2%80%9CI%20will%20instruct%20you%20and%20teach%20you%20in%20the%20way%20you%20should%20go;I%20will%20guide%20you%20with%20My%20eye%E2%80%9D%20(Psalm%2032_8-10.%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For myself in the pandemic, relationships were cut off. My gym routine ceased (I now exercise at home mostly or the local YMCA via drop-in payments). I hadn't been to church for three years in person. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am an introvert and worked from home most of my life so staying home seemed easy to me. But I did eventually miss the connection with "real live people" as opposed to those on social media. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fortunately (can you believe I'd say that?), my husband and I were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And that led to another new way of living. We cut sugar out of our diet. We started medication. And then, my husband and I signed up for the YMCA's Diabetes Fit program. Their first in-person program since the pandemic would be in Spring 2022. It was perfect timing for us as I had felt my world shriveling. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The program was covered by Sun Life Insurance and was free to us. Many of us still masked up because having diabetes meant we were in a high-risk category. But</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> participating in that weekly program was our first time being in a group setting again since 2020 and it felt good. I felt the mental health benefits immediately. And the new exercise regime sparked us to focus on fitness again.</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF9znfGz7J565DoWd_lcO_HNSIbSmq1CntOia4dvRkCvgDwRRXGpzD_59WREM8QNXPdUYLvCbXgj4njUmoI0MN73ZPst63NX1JZKkigXWnFlfziA_g46FMZeZWAGPLFbV79rSXvQsMyLUKuplx8J9ohqDh_JS_V0YrQhHl5EA1fMIKNE7INlk9E_VrJ-u/s206/falling%20leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF9znfGz7J565DoWd_lcO_HNSIbSmq1CntOia4dvRkCvgDwRRXGpzD_59WREM8QNXPdUYLvCbXgj4njUmoI0MN73ZPst63NX1JZKkigXWnFlfziA_g46FMZeZWAGPLFbV79rSXvQsMyLUKuplx8J9ohqDh_JS_V0YrQhHl5EA1fMIKNE7INlk9E_VrJ-u/w320-h320/falling%20leaves.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Artwork by Rosalie Garde</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Do not despise these small beginnings, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." Zechariah 4:10 NLT</span></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What Else Do I Do Lord?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And as I sought other in-person outlets, there were few. Most activities were being held online. And so I committed my need for new stimulation to God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I had also been praying for several years to find a church with afternoon or evening service times due to my inability to do mornings. (Every church in my city has 9 am 10:30 or 11 am service times.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And then, it happened. God answered my prayer for a church with an afternoon time! After 3 years of wandering through online services, I ventured out alone to a new church with a 3 pm service time--one God had set out just for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I tried not to over-examine the new church as most of us do, I simply attended to feed my soul and nurture my spirit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>God Said "Be a Rebel"</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I had spent the summer enjoying the warm weather. I focused on caring for my property and my love of the outdoors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But in the evenings, the gap was there again--a longing to be a part of something bigger. And so I spent late-night hours searching online for options. (We are a people of unrest.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>And amid this chronic searching, the Lord said: Here's what you're to do. <b>Rest and Recover</b> (my body was chronically achy from all my gardening). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><b>Enjoy</b> life.</span><b> Be </b><span>present rather than scurry through life. </span><b>Experiment </b><span>to keep yourself inspired.</span><span> </span><b>Learn </b><span>new things</span><span>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I looked at the first letters of each of these words, I saw the acronym <b>REBEL</b>. And so I created this as a life-map. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WYhhXZ85i1pR2lYkEKfy4-DN1cuBuuQQ6LBqV6pD_t-f7b8-T1mkhvZycfU44AFsS9f6tuRfYpOQKFPm6Wo_pZwjNMURkWbe8f_3MAQwHQLuvhBq3bxHLymODDrGiz04ffTG63kVhuTEa9lHmanScH2BCMHoJxQcT_sZqYzrLZ_q2rwUcPpFZj1vk1Zz/s1640/REBEL.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WYhhXZ85i1pR2lYkEKfy4-DN1cuBuuQQ6LBqV6pD_t-f7b8-T1mkhvZycfU44AFsS9f6tuRfYpOQKFPm6Wo_pZwjNMURkWbe8f_3MAQwHQLuvhBq3bxHLymODDrGiz04ffTG63kVhuTEa9lHmanScH2BCMHoJxQcT_sZqYzrLZ_q2rwUcPpFZj1vk1Zz/w640-h360/REBEL.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I know this life map won't suit every woman as our midlife journeys vary. But could this <b>Be a REBEL </b>life map help you right now? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-39562519351839804422023-09-18T00:25:00.013-04:002024-01-30T01:00:07.264-05:00Navigating Midlife Transitions by Knowing Who You Are<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNTHPJuwbtGtY0pGs7m6Z92VOvf2MgEQUyzrzX31btRWeTWdGFhkD8vLEWQl7uf-MUYWoj9DoMUkZ_fy1tAJk9Or1oEfGSjkmXlgaTEBp329Ifpf7-oxApRijZouYu5VC0PosQEQbp8DO_s236zBMEjM88NpuLn0CohyphenhyphenraTtQekeHTtD880CCZI5doQAB/s640/47690364_793317627669435_3668105656887111161_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNTHPJuwbtGtY0pGs7m6Z92VOvf2MgEQUyzrzX31btRWeTWdGFhkD8vLEWQl7uf-MUYWoj9DoMUkZ_fy1tAJk9Or1oEfGSjkmXlgaTEBp329Ifpf7-oxApRijZouYu5VC0PosQEQbp8DO_s236zBMEjM88NpuLn0CohyphenhyphenraTtQekeHTtD880CCZI5doQAB/s320/47690364_793317627669435_3668105656887111161_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Midlife is a transformative phase for every woman, characterized by its own set of challenges and desires. In this blog post, we'll explore the key aspects of this journey and offer guidance specifically tailored for Christian women who may feel stuck in a rut during this crucial life stage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Understanding Midlife</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Midlife typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 52, but individual experiences vary. Some women, during that phase, find themselves battling low moods and symptoms of perimenopause. Many women in that phase begin to re-evaluate their life. A</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> midlife crisis might begin for some--a type of rut they don't know how to get out of. Often looking back at the past is involved, yet it's equally about uncertainty of the future.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Discovering What You Seek:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Many Christian women in midlife long for change. They may feel a sense of monotony or yearn for new mental stimulation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Shifting priorities as children grow or leave home can leave them feeling overlooked or unsure of where they fit into life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some women miss the vitality of youth, the thrill of new beginnings, or the pursuit of passion, either romantically or in their careers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Others grapple with unfulfilled dreams, leading to feelings of disappointment and sadness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The quest for meaning and fulfillment is a common thread amongst midlife women, yet some still find themselves lost and uncertain about where to begin. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If any of this describes you, don't worry. What you're feeling is normal. <b>It's a life transition phase. What you need to do is walk through it with faith.</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Build a support team. Mine included my family doctor, a mental health therapist, online friends, and multiple resources I could turn to including many books and articles. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoeB3XLaHFGL5Ia8b-s-EBps-9m6KMD34zBzoR3D2-4ruFQHfIHL56HWurra4z8yAVDpRyDclYQ7-Fkgx4y0Qjh_vtVpSL0MSoAoVOSYJMrBL02GrZoZYB3U4ZmqxDXeAskCYLpOR5bfjqDhCySfCm0z42iQcpLILeojVqqwZHzjh5Fh0lQbwSiFJiDnG/s5382/Blue%20Pretty%20Flower.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5382" data-original-width="4691" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoeB3XLaHFGL5Ia8b-s-EBps-9m6KMD34zBzoR3D2-4ruFQHfIHL56HWurra4z8yAVDpRyDclYQ7-Fkgx4y0Qjh_vtVpSL0MSoAoVOSYJMrBL02GrZoZYB3U4ZmqxDXeAskCYLpOR5bfjqDhCySfCm0z42iQcpLILeojVqqwZHzjh5Fh0lQbwSiFJiDnG/w278-h320/Blue%20Pretty%20Flower.jpg" width="278" /></span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Overcoming Midlife Challenges</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Three common challenges can be explored to help a woman make sense of midlife crisis feelings:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a. Rehearsing the Past: I acknowledge the allure of nostalgia but stress the importance of looking forward to new opportunities rather than longing for bygone days aligning your thoughts and choices with the wisdom found in the Bible. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Philippians 3:13 gives us great advice. It says to forget what is in the past and reach out or look forward to what lies ahead. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cherish past memories, don't cling to them. God is doing a new thing in your life now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">b. Gaining Perspective: Committing your way to God and trusting His guidance is crucial. You need not have all the answers; living in the present moment and seeking divine guidance daily can pave the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">c. Understanding Your Personality Traits: Personality plays a significant role in midlife experiences. Embracing your unique traits, whether introverted, extroverted, or otherwise, is essential. It's time to know who you are and accept who you are, rather than seeking to change your basic traits. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>Ephesians 2:10 says, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Society's expectations should not dictate your self-worth. </span>Be yourself with a focus on having a Christ-like character. T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">he Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 suggests these traits: “But the fruit of the Spirit is </span><span style="background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28;">love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">.” These apply to introverts, extroverts, loners, and social butterflies. </span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A Self-Exploration Exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I invite you to reflect on your personality style, whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Identify any external pressures that have shaped your self-perception that it's time to let go of.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Question: What self-talk is it time to let go of?</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Answer: _______________________________</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Assess what aspects of yourself you should embrace without guilt. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Question: What is a trait I have that I should embrace? </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Answer: _______________________________</b></span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Stop Trying to Fix Yourself:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There are so many voices out there calling us (mostly in social media) to fix ourselves. And while therapy is good, instead of digging for what we need to fix, maybe it's time to look at what we do well. Maybe there is nothing wrong with our life. Maybe we are exactly where God wants us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Appreciating how God made you and what he has given you will give you more confidence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Based on what you know about your values, passions, beliefs, and gifts, think carefully about what you should say "yes" to. Decline what doesn't fit you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you start to look back into the past, switch the dialogue in your head. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Invite God into each day. Let him go to work for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCr0_hJ1-yYQPXR8WUckUwgsH9chD7blFTzl0cwwK1zV5x85tlsIGuZJgI6-soGSL0N2mCjBt4Zip2veXfkN9bLwweJtYwYc6NBTWVSVfp3aW7sujJ-Ux2iBptJiBBN5B2kQ5HZ7Ue4l3-nNOVGSgrkAIqCx9Mujcaxg75BE_5k41HvKVYZBi9KbznHjqX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCr0_hJ1-yYQPXR8WUckUwgsH9chD7blFTzl0cwwK1zV5x85tlsIGuZJgI6-soGSL0N2mCjBt4Zip2veXfkN9bLwweJtYwYc6NBTWVSVfp3aW7sujJ-Ux2iBptJiBBN5B2kQ5HZ7Ue4l3-nNOVGSgrkAIqCx9Mujcaxg75BE_5k41HvKVYZBi9KbznHjqX=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Your midlife journey as a Christian woman is a unique and deeply personal experience. You can navigate transitions with grace and purpose by understanding the challenges and desires specific to this life phase, embracing your personality, and seeking guidance from your faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section. It is helpful to foster a community of support and encouragement as we all journey through midlife and beyond together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-32873222284142147502023-09-15T14:32:00.009-04:002024-01-30T02:02:26.599-05:00What is Midlife? What are Midlife Challenges?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks117LtE3xWwdUdNO20VA5CqNDB287veAIa2GtMshxL_-Ulc3uTrRMAP5a7hY2d5uL4ng4GUKkpvBHyoI8_BPdUMRFxVzXL5T7Yydu-jfiOEGPMDrvsJX7LEAvj3PHgjJUIpP17Q3ZphoYI59tLILYQwuvVhH5EqdgfPYfDqd8OgsbWA_0-tSBBadbPL5/s720/Ty%20&%20I%20at%20Reb%20University%20Grad.jpg" style="color: #d85b3c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks117LtE3xWwdUdNO20VA5CqNDB287veAIa2GtMshxL_-Ulc3uTrRMAP5a7hY2d5uL4ng4GUKkpvBHyoI8_BPdUMRFxVzXL5T7Yydu-jfiOEGPMDrvsJX7LEAvj3PHgjJUIpP17Q3ZphoYI59tLILYQwuvVhH5EqdgfPYfDqd8OgsbWA_0-tSBBadbPL5/w200-h150/Ty%20&%20I%20at%20Reb%20University%20Grad.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(208, 208, 208); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>WHAT IS MIDLIFE?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have defined <b>midlife as: </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">taking your life expectancy and cutting the number in half. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">i.e. if you plan to live to 95, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">midlife for you would be 47.5 years of age. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the <b>challenges of midlife </b>can affect women of much lower or higher ages. Perimenopause, for example, can span ten years. For myself, it spanned from about age 45 to 55 with my midlife crisis in the middle of that. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And the challenges a woman </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">faces may be more life-phase-specific</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> than age-specific. For those of us who are moms, we had our children at different ages, so our phases of dealing with adult children </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">or nest-emptying varies. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>I'd like my readers to know, that </span></span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">it's not uncommon for a significant portion of women to face challenges during this life phase. In</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #374151; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">dividual experiences are influenced by a multitude of factors, including personal circumstances, cultural background, socioeconomic status, and more. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #374151; font-size: medium; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #374151; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you feel yourself struggling, I want you to know </span><b>your struggles are NORMAL! </b>You have not missed out. God has not forgotten you. You are not a failure.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtQj0I88p6IuY9P-_aCknoHo9PCtqDRDZHw3LYRoszMzaOxQ5exgi0iTFG8T-e92aorP880iW1gfvmyvvxUJ2b33lA6oNp1ZSbRVTGeReCzA3GA7aEp9QCo6Tkfe6HQW-VnG-kcCFmShGVb_KKYIg11FKE2RvU0DnGEy26LSgPuP96WSYiRbWNz1eAhBU/s640/Mt%20Peter,%20Mt.%20Paul.jpg" style="color: #d85b3c; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtQj0I88p6IuY9P-_aCknoHo9PCtqDRDZHw3LYRoszMzaOxQ5exgi0iTFG8T-e92aorP880iW1gfvmyvvxUJ2b33lA6oNp1ZSbRVTGeReCzA3GA7aEp9QCo6Tkfe6HQW-VnG-kcCFmShGVb_KKYIg11FKE2RvU0DnGEy26LSgPuP96WSYiRbWNz1eAhBU/s320/Mt%20Peter,%20Mt.%20Paul.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(208, 208, 208); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Photo of Mt. Peter & Mt. Paul, Kamloops, BC<br />where we lived for a few years</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have learned that life is full of phases--lows and highs, bad and good, despair and hope, uphill climbs and plateaus. And as far as a woman living out her calling, there is not just ONE PATH. It's a winding journey with puddles and rocks to navigate. But if your heart is right with God and your desire is to be the person he has created you to be, he will surely lead you where he wants you to go. And every now and then you need to ask yourself if you truly believe you are where he has placed you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79gHqis7wUzJSsN2uFwWYsNeu8jNyPgGwJ86n2-7ZwJD-jXE3gzBNvpk_R_a3K_EGExiXhXl5H2o46PdnHro2OnZwGsRx5BG2pOht3HaK3DtFQD7QtFmygZtjKFp9XJ-cBNVSD0JtZ5TWO9qeSVhmzzMFhFkZRYQFQqRjcdWGRJbzeML12dcqoAbdEUOa/s640/56580624_319072515457098_2151527360574543682_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79gHqis7wUzJSsN2uFwWYsNeu8jNyPgGwJ86n2-7ZwJD-jXE3gzBNvpk_R_a3K_EGExiXhXl5H2o46PdnHro2OnZwGsRx5BG2pOht3HaK3DtFQD7QtFmygZtjKFp9XJ-cBNVSD0JtZ5TWO9qeSVhmzzMFhFkZRYQFQqRjcdWGRJbzeML12dcqoAbdEUOa/w200-h200/56580624_319072515457098_2151527360574543682_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>In my midlife crisis, I would apply for jobs--desperate to find something to break out of my suffocation. </span></span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: verdana; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One morning, as my young daughter was getting ready for school, I shared with her that I had a job interview scheduled for that day. Without hesitation, she looked up at me with her innocent eyes and said, 'I'll pray for you.' It was a simple yet powerful gesture that touched my heart deeply.</span></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As I left for the interview, her words lingered in my mind. Now, I didn't want to disappoint her. I didn't want her to feel sorry for her momma either. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, I didn't get the job. I couldn't help but wonder if she would be disappointed.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Reflecting on that moment, I realize the true beauty in her response. She saw me. She had compassion. Her words were a genuine expression of support and care. This is the stuff <i>legacies</i> are made of, for where did she learn that? </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; white-space-collapse: collapse;">God didn't unroll a red carpet leading me to the perfect out-of-the-home job where I'd feel the fulfillment I assumed was missing. And I instantly didn't love my life. I had much still to work through. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In retrospect, I believe the challenge for all women has to do with their mindset which has to do with learning to be content whether we get a new job or not. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No, God may not bless you with that perfect little part-time job or that big important title and promotion you crave. Many of us have heart longings of this nature that are never fully met. And we can strive and kick and scream and have a pity party, but if we truly trust God, we will consider what he wants us to learn and what next step he might want us to take. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">I get why the Apostle Paul said he could be content in any circumstance, it was because he had a remarkable mindset. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Changing our mindset takes a lot of hard work, but it really is the difference between feeling <i>less than</i> and appreciating the life we've been given. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMXsD9URlkEEEyetg0fG-6WcVs2a4TP93kWMDuSDjFdVa3z6LqRSr81xpLOvh2ch4aOtmzlvkiHNauM3YV9i2e37MAc7WwB-kKca7fU14NLEPT0Zez3dn4QWOx9Ou4LL_ApEnLOAbRJe4Gjlt2DmXhnfD0dnk5dbmdEbSMZVKkLbDSXvQvoWt06wMWQaI/s830/Radical%20Release.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMXsD9URlkEEEyetg0fG-6WcVs2a4TP93kWMDuSDjFdVa3z6LqRSr81xpLOvh2ch4aOtmzlvkiHNauM3YV9i2e37MAc7WwB-kKca7fU14NLEPT0Zez3dn4QWOx9Ou4LL_ApEnLOAbRJe4Gjlt2DmXhnfD0dnk5dbmdEbSMZVKkLbDSXvQvoWt06wMWQaI/s320/Radical%20Release.JPG" width="221" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #374151; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While changing one's mindset is not a cure-all for complex issues such as depression--which is often the basis of a midlife crisis--it can be a powerful tool in helping us manage and cope. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As you uncover your unique offering--what you bring to the world's table--you will discover there are many ways to express yourself in ways God intends you to whether through paid or unpaid means. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One way to look at your life is to consider all you do is <i>your job</i>! How you want to show up to <i>work</i> is up to you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the working world, we hear a lot about <i>soft skills</i>. It is often these soft skills God wants us to develop and use the most. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here are but a few to develop and use in midlife in ways that will touch the world around you: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><ol style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Develop your character</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Develop patience</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Show compassion</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Show you care </span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Make ethical choices</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Respect the environment</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Show empathy and support to others</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do all you do as until the Lord</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Be a generous giver</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Forgive quickly</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Develop your skills and talents</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Live a moral life</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Set strong boundaries</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Be a Christian role model</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Stay strong in your faith</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let yourself have fun</span></p></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p></li></ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-62941158617784403442023-09-14T12:41:00.002-04:002023-09-16T14:13:16.821-04:00Midlife Blog Reboot <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOafwNVX4i8-srjJi8DQwLSZO0m_PZHbFTWN1GqaITmlGjTsOCGbT0ogbv580qnZuBvKFPpJJXKIKFWQKqkmM2Ei1RY9vde-ZqpKj89k2xSBORlb6dm8EMGrvWVug_hRjcIztrwhYtMAc2bZ-oADyQez6eLjDpB0CIr1Q3AL9mKBZSj8X8SR8nLuqx4Qb/s940/Be%20gentle%20with%20yourself.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOafwNVX4i8-srjJi8DQwLSZO0m_PZHbFTWN1GqaITmlGjTsOCGbT0ogbv580qnZuBvKFPpJJXKIKFWQKqkmM2Ei1RY9vde-ZqpKj89k2xSBORlb6dm8EMGrvWVug_hRjcIztrwhYtMAc2bZ-oADyQez6eLjDpB0CIr1Q3AL9mKBZSj8X8SR8nLuqx4Qb/w400-h335/Be%20gentle%20with%20yourself.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Several years ago now, mid-2000s, I came upon the career and calling called Life Coaching. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was clearly in midlife at the time and so desperate for something new and inspiring.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a Christian woman, I saw how adding in Christian values could make the coaching process so much more successful for anyone being coached. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was ecstatic that I'd finally found 'my thing'. And so I paid the tuition to enrol in the training, went through extensive coaching for myself, carried out required probono work to become certified, and then coached many clients across North America by telephone. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But my midlife angst wasn't satisfied. In between clients, there was nothing to do. So I went out and found a job in an office--something I'd done before leaving the workforce to raise my children. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had always promised myself to return to the workforce. I missed it. Prior to having children, I could think of no other life. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">But finding my way back was hard. I applied to umpteen jobs, which of course meant umpteen rejections. I had several interviews, and was smacked in the face at what I hoped to hide but couldn't--that I'd been out of the workforce for at least 10 years by then. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ageism is real. I was in my mid-forties. One employer rudely joked that my experience was 10-years old. But he offered me the position anyway--for low pay--lower than the minimum wage here in Canada, and I took it. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I saw how in a mere 10-years things had changed. I'd stayed updated on Microsoft products and my typing speed was still very high, but it was the way business was done that was disappointing. No one talked to each other. People dressed casually--something I didn't know how to do. And most employees kept their offices paperless. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Added to these changes, I was expected to learn a complicated accounting system, answer incoming calls, draft legal documents, and make outgoing accounts receivable calls. All for $10 an hour - a third of what I was paid before leaving the workforce. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For a short time, I had new self-esteem. I can't pinpoint why exactly apart from getting a paycheck finally and getting out of the house. But my hours were within the children's school day hours and they'd never see me leave for work or come home. Neither would my husband, so even my own family didn't cheer me on as I'd hoped. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted to make it work and took notebooks home to try to understand the complex system. But </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I suffered with stress headaches and felt confused.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then I quit. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM3YFKx36bfgsJ7zoOy0iCGrrnjb-XwcvbyiQW9C0mpsL-2Wf1-UKZDlIe_PrgOiTn95KOo3g9xJKqHCS87rasJCU6oXFo8fVplZFn2B0xY2bpDG701qjJe3Q4G4KHBvPVDNwbRvRrOUVLUtmoJxXAlwhz_C92HYrxQOHA363JHxl0TyH8DIsbK0E34Tk/s877/A%20Bit%20of%20Whimsy.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="877" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM3YFKx36bfgsJ7zoOy0iCGrrnjb-XwcvbyiQW9C0mpsL-2Wf1-UKZDlIe_PrgOiTn95KOo3g9xJKqHCS87rasJCU6oXFo8fVplZFn2B0xY2bpDG701qjJe3Q4G4KHBvPVDNwbRvRrOUVLUtmoJxXAlwhz_C92HYrxQOHA363JHxl0TyH8DIsbK0E34Tk/s320/A%20Bit%20of%20Whimsy.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Art Doodle by Rosalie Garde</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once I returned to the homefront, when I couldn't obtain another part-time job, I took on several work-from-home jobs and volunteer roles, and finally became a freelance writer--a dream I had since in my twenties. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And for what I might do with my coach training and ministry focus, it made sense to combine my love of writing with life coaching. But I would not coach clients one-on-one, instead, I would make and sell self-coaching tools--ebooks, if you will, where a woman could prompt herself, go on her own journey, gain insight, and grow out of her rut. </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: #9e270e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="text-class-84"><span class="text-class-11" style="font-family: verdana;">L<span>ife Coaching is a tool many women <br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #9e270e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="text-class-84"><span class="text-class-11"><span style="font-family: verdana;">use today to gain <br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #9e270e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="text-class-84"><span class="text-class-11"><span style="font-family: verdana;">direction, support, and accountability, <br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #9e270e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="text-class-84"><span class="text-class-11"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so they can move forward. </span></span></span></span></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIjrXnYfBX5N9YrQtr0cMiJdd1vZlpHiv4BbDH49M27jTfVvK6GkvX1vm3U8U4gEnxY6yAFe9omRjZBm5rkZdKmGQgowo7Wb0LbZiawhxgOKZQpIj6EoneOFJamQEwUn-YiYgNV3jw2GzZ1pLL1YeE1WoJ3BDeg3jvrrymwrAVDKbct_6kazFK2W5gRh5/s859/Art%20table%20doodle.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="859" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIjrXnYfBX5N9YrQtr0cMiJdd1vZlpHiv4BbDH49M27jTfVvK6GkvX1vm3U8U4gEnxY6yAFe9omRjZBm5rkZdKmGQgowo7Wb0LbZiawhxgOKZQpIj6EoneOFJamQEwUn-YiYgNV3jw2GzZ1pLL1YeE1WoJ3BDeg3jvrrymwrAVDKbct_6kazFK2W5gRh5/s320/Art%20table%20doodle.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Art table, Rosalie Garde</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>And then I had an epiphany about midlife in my late 40s. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was in a long period of perimenopause and all its challenges. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I became severely depressed, isolated, lonely, and lacking stimulation. I googled the term 'midlife crisis' and my eyes were opened. But I saw</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> a glaring gap in writings for Christian women facing a midlife crisis. Sometimes, knowing Jesus is not enough!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I desperately wanted answers for how to get out of my rut and wanted a Christian point of view. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God knew about my struggles but I needed more help. I finally was brave enough to tell my family doctor I was depressed. And with the medication she prescribed required I sign on with a mental health therapist. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Part of my epiphany was that perhaps many of the women I had coached had been in a midlife crisis too. And, for me, putting a label on the problem helped. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, with more research and revelation, I wrote a self-coaching tool with them in mind. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-Through-Midlife-Crisis-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPkTt1iK39ZuRbr8grxAEtscOQWL0vaKZ_bP9XvT1ICzgNGGSFCw3M9enXtzD1vV517BUyKtd4SCFQqxf3CnK2RDSnzy_rHw3Np79CxzdsH3shaM2i3z9ZgDLlQLZ9p_Odl9VVTfeFyS4MEmocU7Co3Lx0KzAx1Ka2R0xjRaK-mOuLcQDyPn1OpcPHBZt/s320/midlife%20book.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Steps-Through-Midlife-Crisis-ebook/dp/B00JLMVS4U" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">16 Essential Steps to Help You Walk Through Your Midlife Crisis: A Self-Coaching Tool for Midlife Christian Women (Self-Coaching Tools for Midlife Christian Women Book </a></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fast Forward </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I started this blog way back then too but eventually grew bored especially once I moved beyond midlife. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From 2021 until recently, I was involved in another special project. It was engrossing and exciting. The work was confidential so I can't share about it. And now that project is being put to rest, and here I am again wondering about my next step. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dqq9rDyXC-oe3wT6r_EhmOzVttV1Hmore5MiRieCnx3K6uHOf72oXKozo4DXA51IANjD-XD8Z4n8bxkvk84dUKCjaAWXh-wi4nx1QQQf6wIpoJoOhoQf7zJdzi8zIFAuv_fAVhOhfcSFemna76ytiXZUsvpxVrttHTG40pYamjNsBs-w9aKfKqGHQsPX/s755/be%20gentle.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dqq9rDyXC-oe3wT6r_EhmOzVttV1Hmore5MiRieCnx3K6uHOf72oXKozo4DXA51IANjD-XD8Z4n8bxkvk84dUKCjaAWXh-wi4nx1QQQf6wIpoJoOhoQf7zJdzi8zIFAuv_fAVhOhfcSFemna76ytiXZUsvpxVrttHTG40pYamjNsBs-w9aKfKqGHQsPX/s320/be%20gentle.PNG" width="300" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't quite heard from God about the full plan of what I'll do now that I'm semi-retired from my work-from-home projects, but I have decided to put my former blog posts into draft with the intention that I'll write fresh posts or rewrite those I still agree with. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first old post I decided to review had this list of possible topics that I may cover going forward.</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><span style="color: #122766;">POSSIBLE TOPICS:</span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Enjoying the Present and Finding
Purpose</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Thriving
as a Stay-at-Home Mom or Homemaker</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Seasons
of a Woman's Life </span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">From
Motherhood to Menopause</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Managing
Wellness</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Mid-Life Challenges</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Moving
Forward on Dreams and Goals </span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7b7c7f; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #122766; font-size: medium;">Removing
the Clutter from your Mind or Even Your Home</span></span></li></ul><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="color: #122766; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Strongholds, Wrong Beliefs, and God's Input<br /><br /><br /></span></li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb9n7ixLxDzmdTuT51oe1cg91s13A4136d4juAD8FlBHYKw3KzM4CwcleOvgLaK0uSpo8TEVXqpKnjXRtwjoN640rewcjREsQNT4j4oJ58foTsDZUxtOlyvsVkvCsYj1ad3Ev-FzievWqq29HSEg2hBze9FKkVAylDqgyI7R-g7db1qLifqDb9Ic5New-/s1084/blue%20bouquet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1084" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb9n7ixLxDzmdTuT51oe1cg91s13A4136d4juAD8FlBHYKw3KzM4CwcleOvgLaK0uSpo8TEVXqpKnjXRtwjoN640rewcjREsQNT4j4oJ58foTsDZUxtOlyvsVkvCsYj1ad3Ev-FzievWqq29HSEg2hBze9FKkVAylDqgyI7R-g7db1qLifqDb9Ic5New-/s320/blue%20bouquet.PNG" width="320" /></a></div></ul><span><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #122766; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">I hope you will join with me on this next phase of my journey whether you're in midlife, having a midlife crisis, having a great life you want to tweak, or if you are now beyond the midlife age as I am. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #122766; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">I have a lot to write about! </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #7b7c7f; font-family: verdana;"></span></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373775179757054434.post-56847940198340177772019-09-06T12:33:00.009-04:002024-01-28T02:33:42.819-05:00Celebrate the Past, Then Move Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Write a New Life Chapter</span></td></tr>
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<span>I'm working on a book for stay-at-home moms. While writing, I've been remembering a lot--mostly the negatives--the part about giving up a career and my inner turmoil of choosing to leave the workforce and the constant questioning I did, as well as the loneliness and loss of self-esteem. </span><br />
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<span>My writing touched that deep part of me. I was tempted to take what I'd written to my bedroom to journal my feelings and to ask God about them. That would require looking back. It would be like grieving about the lonely and angry parts. </span><br />
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<span>Sometimes, it is helpful to deal with undercurrents of pain or habits. Sometimes working with a counsellor requires such. </span><br />
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<span>But then I watched Joyce Meyer's <i>Today's Show</i> as I usually do. In it she reminded me there is little value in looking back, reliving the past, or spending too much time grieving. She talked about the Israelites being given 30 days to mourn for Moses before being required to get up again and move forward. </span><br />
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<span>During her talk, I began to wonder why I had wanted to look back with complaint about what I didn't like about being a stay-at-home mom. Maybe I liked the emotional feeling I would get. I've heard some people are addicted to feeling low and tearfulness. </span><br />
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<span>I know very well that we must put the past behind us. We can't change it. We can come to terms with it. If we're smart, we will even celebrate it. Be proud of it. </span><br />
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<span>Today at the gym, my friend brought her four-year-old grand-daughter. She was sucking a ring pop. It reminded me of when I bought my own kids ring pops. Seeing my friend buckle her grandchild into the car reminded me of the oh so many times I did that with my own children. And, in that moment, I was thankful that I was an at-home mom and got to live out so many moments with my kids I will never get back. </span><br />
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<span>Today I am focusing on how blessed I was and choosing to not go back and grieve the hard times. I am ready to celebrate the past and move forward yet again. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0