As a good friend reminded me, the only one pushing me is me. I’m doing the pushing. I get to choose to move along this path. No one is forcing me to take this route or travel down it at a certain speed. When I worry if I’m doing enough and making progress, I try… Continue reading Who’s Pushing Me?
Tag: retired
Intentional Music Medicine
In recent years, music has entered my life as background sound: a catchy tune on the radio in among all the other daily noise. I sing along, or not, and life goes on. Recently on a long trip home, I realized that I may have been overlooking the power that it has to be medicine… Continue reading Intentional Music Medicine
Going BIG
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
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
Profile Picture Youth
Have you ever looked at photos of yourself and thought, “Wow, I look young in that picture?” I often keep my profile pictures for many years without changing them because I just forget about them. My face stays the same. Most of the time I don’t even notice it when I log in. But when… Continue reading Profile Picture Youth
Looking For A Mentor
Having a model to follow is a valuable way to learn. As a teacher, I knew that telling my class something would have a limited impact. However, modelling the behaviour gave them the ability to see the idea in action and understand it better. We all need mentors in our lives to show us how… Continue reading Looking For A Mentor
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
Can’t Avoid Triggers
I recognize when my body goes into a stress response: tight jaw, overheating, nerves all a-buzz. I’ve spent time watching my body to recognize these physical responses. I’ve also dedicated a lot of time to journalling over that past six months. It’s helped me to identify four specific situations that provoke a stress response in… Continue reading Can’t Avoid Triggers
“All That We Are Is Story”
There is nothing like grief to focus our attention on the briefness of life. Our stories are so very short in the grand scheme of things. Rocks, water, and trees will outlive me. Even many human structures such as my home and the roads I drive on, will probably survive me. I tend to go… Continue reading “All That We Are Is Story”
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
Retired, And Now What? 