A great reflection and insights that personally resonates on this strange and interesting process called aging.
Not sure I want to watch the film , but it does seem to have given you loads of brilliant inspiration.
How fabulous you look on the photo, a great motivation to keep with the yoga in the process of becoming ageless. . Thank You Paulette, so good to share this journey with you
Thank you, Susan. It is interesting that I was writing the post on aging and then watched the film. It seemed to intensify my thoughts and feelings about the process we all experience. Another friend said that after reading the essay, she doesn't need to watch the film. I hope that this gives readers, especially women, the opportunity to explore the themes I gleaned from it without viewing it.
Thank you for the high compliment. And for inviting me along to share the journey together.
Happy Belated Birthday, Paulette! What a meditation on aging you wrote - wow! I catch myself in the reflection of windows as I walk down the sidewalk and I often do not recognize that person who appears to be me. It's always a surprise and maybe that is a good thing. I'm not letting a number define me - never have and never will. I focus on how I feel, and I feel great! 😊
Thank you, Cathy. I didn't think of the post as a meditation on aging. I like it!
Yes, I've wasted a few precious breaths gazing in the mirror as if that would change anything. I'm happy to hear about your approach to life. It comes through in your writing. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great essay. So many layers and beautifully expressed. I'm saying YES to more creative time, building my business on Substack, and tending to my writing life. Ideally, concentrating on writing the memoir, submitting essays to publications and paying attention to moving my body more and making healthier food choices. I'm building toward saying NO to working for money more than 3 days a week, saying YES to writing 4 days a week. NO to toxic thoughts, YES to keeping my heart open and NO to letting the bad guys get me down. I LOVE you, Paulette! xo
I also appreciate what you're choosing to say yes to and what you choose to say no to. I find that speaking it out loud and writing it down helps me to stay with my choices. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
I agree with Sandra, what a bounty of insight, wisdom and story here Paulette. With you on the forever journey of acting more and more from our clear yes’s and no’s. And, I appreciate being in community with women of all ages so we can learn from one another about the different stages of life. How to meet ourselves - the shadows and brilliance of each stage. Learning through others stories is something I value. Thank you for sharing moments of your path. ✨
Thank you so much, Heather. I agree that generational learning and being in a community are valuable. I appreciate you.
And thanks to you, I'm reading The Radiance Sutras. I thought I had, but it was a different author and translation. Roche's interpretation is gorgeous and lifts my heart.
Paulette, There is so much wisdom in this piece. I love the different aspects you've explored, from aging to boundaries. I am saying yes to more meditation and no to at least some worldly distractions. I say yes to remembering that I am not this body, and I'm not this mind!
Thank you again, Sandra. Your feedback means a lot. The dance of yes and no shows up in so many ways. I appreciate your affirming choices. Thank you for sharing.
Ilona, thank you for your thoughtful response. I had been in a yoga community for many, many years, and it blew apart in harmful ways. I felt and saw what was going awry but didn't step up with my voice. I can't have a do-over, but I can have a do-forward. And yes, to doing our small parts! You, my friend, are ever an inspiration to me.
I look forward to reading about your new adventures and the people you meet along the way.
A great reflection and insights that personally resonates on this strange and interesting process called aging.
Not sure I want to watch the film , but it does seem to have given you loads of brilliant inspiration.
How fabulous you look on the photo, a great motivation to keep with the yoga in the process of becoming ageless. . Thank You Paulette, so good to share this journey with you
I think your friend is right, I don’t feel the need to watch the film, after your essay. Paulette , you are a chosen and highly valued companion 💗
Thank you, Susan. It is interesting that I was writing the post on aging and then watched the film. It seemed to intensify my thoughts and feelings about the process we all experience. Another friend said that after reading the essay, she doesn't need to watch the film. I hope that this gives readers, especially women, the opportunity to explore the themes I gleaned from it without viewing it.
Thank you for the high compliment. And for inviting me along to share the journey together.
Happy Belated Birthday, Paulette! What a meditation on aging you wrote - wow! I catch myself in the reflection of windows as I walk down the sidewalk and I often do not recognize that person who appears to be me. It's always a surprise and maybe that is a good thing. I'm not letting a number define me - never have and never will. I focus on how I feel, and I feel great! 😊
Thank you, Cathy. I didn't think of the post as a meditation on aging. I like it!
Yes, I've wasted a few precious breaths gazing in the mirror as if that would change anything. I'm happy to hear about your approach to life. It comes through in your writing. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Paulette - I so appreciate that. And I found a typo I missed and just corrected it. That distresses me more than age. 😏
This is a great essay. So many layers and beautifully expressed. I'm saying YES to more creative time, building my business on Substack, and tending to my writing life. Ideally, concentrating on writing the memoir, submitting essays to publications and paying attention to moving my body more and making healthier food choices. I'm building toward saying NO to working for money more than 3 days a week, saying YES to writing 4 days a week. NO to toxic thoughts, YES to keeping my heart open and NO to letting the bad guys get me down. I LOVE you, Paulette! xo
Thank you, dear Nan! I appreciate your comments.
I also appreciate what you're choosing to say yes to and what you choose to say no to. I find that speaking it out loud and writing it down helps me to stay with my choices. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Love this post, Paulette, wise, poignant and funny at times. Thanks for being you!
Aww...thank you so much, Sue.
I agree with Sandra, what a bounty of insight, wisdom and story here Paulette. With you on the forever journey of acting more and more from our clear yes’s and no’s. And, I appreciate being in community with women of all ages so we can learn from one another about the different stages of life. How to meet ourselves - the shadows and brilliance of each stage. Learning through others stories is something I value. Thank you for sharing moments of your path. ✨
Awww!! Love love love heading this Paulette. Can’t wait to chat about it sometime . Lovely! And lovely YOU 💕
Yes, we'll have to have another visit soon.
Thank you so much, Heather. I agree that generational learning and being in a community are valuable. I appreciate you.
And thanks to you, I'm reading The Radiance Sutras. I thought I had, but it was a different author and translation. Roche's interpretation is gorgeous and lifts my heart.
Paulette, There is so much wisdom in this piece. I love the different aspects you've explored, from aging to boundaries. I am saying yes to more meditation and no to at least some worldly distractions. I say yes to remembering that I am not this body, and I'm not this mind!
Thank you again, Sandra. Your feedback means a lot. The dance of yes and no shows up in so many ways. I appreciate your affirming choices. Thank you for sharing.
I'm saying no to people who spread lies, which includes members of the yoga community who are among the worst offenders.
I'm saying no to feeling hopeless and doing my small part.
I'm saying yes to new adventures and meeting new people.
I'm saying yes to standing up for myself and our country.
Ilona, thank you for your thoughtful response. I had been in a yoga community for many, many years, and it blew apart in harmful ways. I felt and saw what was going awry but didn't step up with my voice. I can't have a do-over, but I can have a do-forward. And yes, to doing our small parts! You, my friend, are ever an inspiration to me.
I look forward to reading about your new adventures and the people you meet along the way.
Look at you in a head stand ! Miss practicing with you ! You look beautiful
Those were the days...!