Mapping Midlife

Life Adventures

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Entries Tagged as 'Choices'

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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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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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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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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Old Friends

August 11th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, friendships, midlife

Last weekend there was an all-Bette Davis day on one of the movie channels. I needed a quick cry, so I tuned in for the last few minutes of Dark Victory. Remember how, when Judith discovers death is imminent, she tells her friend, “I’m the luck one.”? She’s moving forward while everyone else is staying [...]

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Children? Grandchildren? Maybe Not So Much.

April 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, midlife

We vary widely when it comes to maternal instinct. Some people never had any. Many of the women in this group chose not to have children. A few surrounded their children with other adults with maternal instinct to spare. Some women had one child, made sure they raised that child well and considered their duty [...]

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Who Wants to Work?

March 15th, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, Maps, midlife

As more and more of my friends and colleagues near or pass retirement age, I wonder about questions like these. Who wants to work – and why? Do people feel the same way about work beyond 50? Beyond 65? Are they looking for different things? Do they bring the same passion? Energy? The most recent [...]

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Choices? An Executive Perspective

March 2nd, 2009 · No Comments · Choices, Maps, workplace

Recently, I went to a wonderful conference sponsored by Columbia Women in Business and had the opportunity to engage in several conversations about life choices. Several women felt that women have wonderful choices today – that they have more choices than men. It got me thinking. For whom is this true? Probably not for the [...]

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