JANE'S MINDFUL MUSINGS

Entering mid-life was a miserable time for me, so it was an opportune moment to evaluate and modify my behavior towards the people and situations in my life. After much deep self-reflection and the cultivation of self-awareness, I hope I have found a kinder and gentler way of moving through life.

My circadian rhythm starts to sync with the lack of daylight. I sleep longer and deeper, especially when the rain is drumming its white noise outside my open window. Slowing down gives me the grace and rest to ambitiously plan for the light half of the year.

Internal dialogue can sculpt how we narrate our own stories. The stories we tell ourselves aren’t always a reflection of what happened, but how we interpreted it. We can become “stuck” in a cycle of negative internal narratives. 

To live a life of joy with a true sense of our purpose, we must listen to our inner voice, trust in ourselves, stand up for our beliefs, and walk our chosen paths with conviction.

Rituals allow us to shift our attention to where we need it most and help us shift our focus from the day to day requirements of life and create quiet space to push the reset button and foster feelings of control.

It's a strange feeling heading into a new decade, especially the dreaded decade when one is classified as a senior. I expected to have an existential crisis hitting this milestone birthday but in the weeks leading up to the day all was mentally calm. 

This world that we live in is more interconnected than ever. With the rise of a global community wherein many people are choosing to relocate from their place of birth, our daily interactions are becoming more diverse. How do we embrace, accept and recognize the beauty in our differences?

When we think about the act of courage, we recognize that even in the face of fear, we can still choose to act. Everyone aspires to be courageous, as it is viewed as a positive trait that earns us the respect of others. So let's break down the six types of courage!

Today, we navigate a different type of judgment. From the moment we are born, we are judged first by family and then friends and even strangers, and in return, we do the same. And then being a woman has a whole other elevated level of judgment attached to it.

This is a time when many of you may be thinking of downsizing, preparing to travel more, or making life simpler; harboring feelings of anxiety at the thought of letting things go is a waste of our precious time. But don't worry; we all go through this, and it is normal.

My daughter took on the responsibility of day to day care for my mother while I was living far away, for which I feel gratitude and feelings of guilt at not being the one taking on that responsibility.

Sometimes the profound can be so simple! The resulting effects were immediate! Free from quizzical judgment, a sense of deep, abiding peace and calm resounded in every pore of my being.

I've come to the conclusion that we need to embrace closure with gratitude for the experiences that helped in shaping us into who we are now. A closing is not an end but a continuation of our life journey. Hold onto all the life lessons and memories and let go of any negativity as you move forward.

I started thinking about my struggles with being comfortable in my naked body. You may be happy and feel no need to express your nudity but for me it is a journey of releasing my own body shaming and taking my power back.

As we move through midlife and beyond, how do we continue to have happy and healthy sex lives? If we choose not to have an active sex life, does that make us somehow lacking?

People love food almost as much as they love each other. There is nothing that brings more happiness and joy than sharing a table with those you love. Since the beginning of time people have gathered, coming together and sharing a meal.

Setting intentions is not just a philosophical concept but a practical tool that requires conscious efforts to steer our thoughts in the desired direction. Set your intentions, big or small, and discover the joy in living fully and mindfully in the present moment.

Why is it that so many of us struggle with accepting a compliment but will fully embrace any criticism that is lobbed at us? We take criticism, hold it close in our hearts and minds, turning this way and that and analyze it in minute detail.

Slowly our relationship evolves to that of a friend and confidant. We are hearing ideas, thoughts and concerns of another adult. Our role now is to listen. Our growth comes as we learn to let go of worrying about them as did when they were children.