How much space do you take up in the world? I am staying small. It’s a choice. After three years of the pandemic telling me to keep my world small to stay safe (remain home, avoid others), I’ve found that it’s become my normal state. But unless there’s a pandemic, a war, or a lion… Continue reading Going BIG
Category: Reframe Your Thinking
A Day Of Wander
A few years ago, I found myself alone downtown on a Saturday morning. I had to drop something off before nine. Done. Suddenly, there I was with my notebook, a novel and a water bottle in my bag on a sunny, warm morning, and no plans for the rest of the day. No one needed… Continue reading A Day Of Wander
The Un-Becoming
Am I becoming a new me or just un-becoming the old me? It’s a matter of perspective. Is the path forward after retirement a time to gather new resources and skills and roles, or is it a time to take all that I am now and edit it until I find my true self? Either… Continue reading The Un-Becoming
Jumping Into The Unknown: Building Courage
There is scary-excitement that comes with trying something new. When I’m doing something challenging for the first time, it’s frightening to be faced with so much newness. I’ve been using this year to look at times that I’ve forged ahead with unfamiliar things that scared me. I would never have described myself as adventurous, but… Continue reading Jumping Into The Unknown: Building Courage
Choosing Solutions And Hope
What you focus on, is what you will find. I’m a believer in focusing on solutions rather than problems. I see the problems but I tend to look around for ways to address them rather than look for more problems. Mindset has a lot to do with whether we find solutions or just unearth the… Continue reading Choosing Solutions And Hope
Multitasking Myth
I used to be able to do it. I did it for years and it was necessary for my job. But now, I’ve lost my ability to multitask. I used to be able to re-direct three students while assessing another student, walk across the room to grab a missing worksheet, and drink my tea. All… Continue reading Multitasking Myth
Oh, Martha!
Did you see Martha Stewart on the cover of the swimsuit edition of that magazine? (This photo is not her) Some people were celebrating her appearance and marvelling that someone “her age” could look like that. For me, it’s her confidence and attitude that I applaud. She views ageism as “boring” and focuses on “good living.”*… Continue reading Oh, Martha!
Think for Me
When I was working, I didn’t have time to think. Like most people, my day was a rush of things that needed to get done, from the moment I woke up, until the dinner dishes were done and the laundry put away. By the time evening arrived, I was too tired to do any thinking.… Continue reading Think for Me
Mundane Treasure
Graduations, weddings, births, holidays and celebrations: these are events which I’ve spent a lot of energy, time and money on over the years. I tell myself that they are important occasions that deserve my attention because I’m making memories for myself and those involved. But when I look back at my favourite times with people… Continue reading Mundane Treasure
Stories Are Back!
If you want someone to remember something, you tell it to them as a story. Stories are more memorable than facts. As a teacher, I knew this to be true for my students. According to cognitive psychologist, Jerome Bruner*, stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts. But if stories are so easy… Continue reading Stories Are Back!
Retired, and now what? 