My Flourishing has been born out of a need to get back to where I started a few months ago—a personal journal of my own rediscovery, the thoughts and inspirations from my heart as I seek to live my best life. Not unlike many women over 50, I desire something more fulfilling, a way to be productive, contribute to a future retirement, and still have fun along the way. After all, I want to live an abundant life while I still have the energy and time to do it. Was a new career the answer? Perhaps, but who would hire a 50-something woman with old-school skills over a smart young thing who did not suffer from a fuzzy memory or mood swings?
I had been out of the workforce for so long attending to my greatest job, raising my three children to be responsible, godly young adults. I was once an accountant, and had held several part-time jobs over the years—wedding coordinator, children’s ministry assistant, business manager, and even a school board president—but what would those experiences do for my resume’?
That’s when a friend and mentor suggested blogging. She thought it would be a great way for me to journal my process, discovering my passions along the way while I inspired other women to follow along. I began a very simple blog, my enthusiasm for life after 50 soared, my “creative juices” started flowing and Voila! Here I am today with Flourish Over 50, a magazine-style website rich in content to help women live abundantly, while connecting with new girlfriends across the globe. I am motivated by all the women I continue to meet who are on the same pathway, and who are so excited about what I am doing. My grand vision is to create local groups of Flourish Over 50 women in many other cities who can enjoy the ride together.
My Flourishing is my own personal journey, my connection with you as I continue my quest for a rich and fulfilling life after 50. While Flourish Over 50 is a wonderful resource of information to help us live a healthier and more fulfilled lifestyle, this will be the story of my own rediscovery, the self-improvement of my body and soul to energize myself and others around me. I hope to be an encouragement to you along the way as I share the things that are making me a better person inside and out.
One thing I have learned from this experience, women love to connect and we love to help each other succeed. Perhaps my journey will inspire you to do something new and different, to pursue your long-lost passions or to just be creative for your future. I promise you, if you take that leap of faith and follow your dreams, you will find a new vitality for life and you truly will flourish after 50!
Thanks for joining me, and please share your comments and your own stories. I’d love to hear from you!
A few days ago, I had the privilege of attending a special screening of the movie Steel Magnolias, including a Q&A session with actress Olympia Dukakis, who played Clairee, one of the main characters. The evening was part of an anniversary celebration for SafePlace, a safe haven for women and children [Continue]
This is Ryder. I inherited him from my son a year ago, and we quickly bonded and became “best buddies.” I’ve had other dogs before, but this one has reminded me of some great life lessons. Or maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m in that now I’m appreciating what [Continue]
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I canned 50 jars of peach preserves. Yes, you might think we’re crazy, but we were celebrating the best Central Texas peach crop on 10 years, and wanted to be sure we were covered in the event of another peach drought. The downside to all that productivity was [Continue]
Earlier this summer, I spent two weeks in Italy with my husband. One of the things I was most fascinated with there was observing the Italian women and their fabulous shoes. No matter what they had on or where they were going, so many of them had on heels or really stylish wedge sandals, or [Continue]
Stylish. Classy. Elegante. These are some of the words that came to mind as I observed the women of Italy. No matter where they go or what time of day it is, Italian women try to look their very best. It may be going to afternoon Mass, walking the dog, or just strolling through the piazza [Continue]
So begins my week without eye makeup. Not something I had planned on blogging about, but this should be an interesting trial. Yesterday I had a cataract removed from my right eye. Just imagine being coherent when a knife cuts into your eye to extract the bad lens, then watching while a new lens is attached. [Continue]
My “things to do” list is getting longer, and all of a sudden June is just a blur. My life has gotten in the way of accomplishing my goals, but I am happy that I have a life worth celebrating. The “things” will get done, and in the meantime I have had an incredible two-week trip [Continue]
When I got the diagnosis, I thought “That’s for old people, not me!” It all started when we were on a ski trip in January. I was handicapped by the “unilateral retinitis pigmentosa” that I’d been dealing with for several years that had zapped at least 65% of the peripheral vision in my right eye. But [Continue]
Breakfast–your mother always told you it was the most important meal of the day. And for me when I am on vacation, that is especially true. I am a slow-morning-starter married to an early riser. I’m also married to a really great, thoughtful guy. So almost every day of our dream vacation, he would go out [Continue]
Just when you think you’ve got it made, “The Curse” rears its ugly head again. Over the past two years, I have experienced the hopes and the letdowns of menopause. Just when I get to the 7th or 8th month without a monthly period, thinking I’m finally “home free,” Boom. The Curse is back, and I [Continue]