Mapping Midlife

Life Adventures

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Entries Tagged as 'Choices'

Caregivers and the Invisible Shrinking Woman

April 25th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Caregiving, Choices, Memories

I am leaving in a while to help bury a friend. It will be an opportunity to – finally – care for a woman who spent most of her life caring for others. All of us who will gather at the graveside have stories of Judy taking care of us. And all of us wish [...]

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Shadowland or Comfort Zone?

April 3rd, 2010 · No Comments · Choices

No – they’re not the same place. Where are you living? Where do you want to be? No one will notice you if you live in the shadows. You’ll never have to try very hard since little or nothing will be expected of you. It’s quiet. You feel safe there. Safe – but not comfortable. [...]

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Out of the Shadows

January 11th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Choices, Self-image, change

In the shadows has been a safe place to be for a long, long time. I was in second grade. My reading group, the Cardinals (best group), stood up to read. I was immersed in the story and by now was several pages ahead of the group, so, of course, I was not on the [...]

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Sick – I Hab a Code id by Head

January 8th, 2010 · No Comments · Choices, Presence, Sanity

In English? I have a cold in my head. I have a very peculiar and lingering head cold. My voice has been gone for more than a week, and it seems to have taken my hearing with it. My eyes are runny and I’m not seeing all that well. It’s a bit like living in [...]

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Three Questions

December 2nd, 2009 · 3 Comments · Choices, Self-image, Values

Every so often – maybe even every day – it’s worthwhile to ask yourself questions. OK, I ask myself questions all the time, you’re probably saying. Some are small, everyday questions. What do I want for dinner? Will it rain? Some are larger. What’s my next career move? Am I happy? What are the questions [...]

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My Surroundings, My Life

September 18th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, midlife

Although geography isn’t a cure, surroundings can have a profound effect on us. They can be transformative. Watching these women and their dogs on the beach created an oasis of calm and joy in the middle of a conference. What works for you? What surroundings will you need to support your life choices? I’ve been [...]

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The Magic of Friendship

September 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, friendships

Lucy and Ethel; Rachel, Monica and Phoebe; Betty and Wilma. What do they all have in common? They were – are – lifelong friends. Somewhere out there almost any day you can find a rerun of these great friends supporting each other, sometimes annoying each other, but always there in the end. Over the course [...]

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Oy Veh! It Hurts!

September 6th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, Self-image, change, midlife

Things hurt this morning. I decided that I really needed to do something good for myself and get out there and walk. And things hurt this morning. Many things. There’s a cramp in my left calf that keeps coming back and is tender in between cramps. My back is not happy. My left shoulder and [...]

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The Tortoise and the Hare

September 4th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices

We all know a hare or two. Their businesses triple in size within a year. They lose 40 pounds in the blink of an eye. Their investments grow. They make the Best Seller list. Everything happens so quickly for them! And perhaps, in your all-too-human moments you, like me, have stood in awe of the [...]

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Legacy Starts Now

August 30th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Choices, Presence, Uncategorized

As I’ve watched the coverage of Senator Edward Kennedy’s death over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about legacy. And how it changes. And how it’s never too late to create a new legacy. Teddy – he’ll always be that in the memories of those who are closer to his age – was the [...]

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