Grand Canyon

Success is only as grand as the canyon you climb out of
It is only as sure as the value you assign it
and it lasts only as long as the canyon is deep

Finding My Fifty

Approaching fifty is quite a landmark event.  I went for my annual checkup yesterday and was told I have all sorts of things to look forward to. First of all, when I actually turn fifty I'll be eligible for a shingles vaccine that will reduce my chances of getting the painful nerve disorder by 60% .  Yes!!! Happy Birthday to me, can't wait for that shot in the ass.  In addition, my metabolism will get increasingly slower and slower over the years, causing me to need less food and more exercise.  Oh goody!!!, that was just what I was hoping for.  I want to be at the gym working out a good portion of the day, that way, I won't be tempted to eat those calories I can't afford anymore. While I'm at it, calcium and vitamin-d are increasingly important for the aging adult and I was informed that I should be supplementing my diet with Viactiv and appropriate supplements to compliment my poor eating habits. Seeing as how I am lactose intolerant, surgically forced into menopause and not a candidate for estrogen supplements, they have ordered a bone density test be done.  This will indicate just how much bone loss I've experienced so far.  From this I believe they can predict exactly how much I will stoop over with each coming year, so I can alter my clothing accordingly (anyone know a talented seamstress?).  They've also ordered a cholesterol test, blood tests to check my thyroid and cell count, and I had my first EKG. I am also due for my annual mammogram, to be sure I am not growing anything other than more fat cells in my breasts. With my cancer history, I'm one of the fortunate ones that had my first colonoscopy done at age 47.  I am now required to get them done every three years because I have a redundant colon that attracts precancerous polyps, thus I am now due for my next colonoscopy.
I was also informed of the link between sugar, inflammation, heart disease and cancer.  None of this is good news for me, the sugar laden, sweet maven, with ovarian cancer and hereditary heart disease. Medical studies also show that those that live longer lives, eat 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, avoiding animal products and prepackaged foods, in addition to doing weight bearing exercise.  My question is, how much weight bearing exercise could they be doing, if they're only eating fruits and vegetables???  I used to live off chicken and power bars because I thought they were giving me the protein and nutrients I needed to maintain an active lifestyle.  Good thing my doctor straightened me out, I was clearly headed down the wrong path there.
The entire time I was at my appointment I couldn't help but feel like I was being called out.  Yes, I am guilty of enjoying sugary treats, I probably eat more processed food than I should and I am overweight, but I do not think of myself as an at risk, active older adult, but I guess that's what I am, a "fat-risk" adult.  Not exactly the new title I was hoping for, but I guess I can live with it, if it'll move over and give me more "space"!!!
Ironically, as I was walking my dog this afternoon in the woods that surround my neighborhood, I ran into some older people that were also out walking.  We stopped for a brief conversation and the entire time we were talking, I was looking at them as "elderly", but truth be told, they were probably only 10 years my senior.  As we parted ways, it occurred to me, that I was probably looking at myself, 10 years from now.  These walks would be considered my weight bearing exercise and walking would probably be all I could muster on my new diet of strictly fruits and veggies.  If this is where I'm headed, while I don't relish the meal plan, at least the accommodations are immensely better than the alternative.

 Finding My Fifty and learning to love it!

Give More

Return on investment,  matches what we put forth ~

If you're getting less than you want from life

Then give more

Face the Water

When it seems as though everyone is enjoying the beach
Be mindful of those that are struggling with the surf
They may not call for help, but the drowning is apparent if you're facing the water

One Tough Nut

Have you ever gotten a pistachio, that has no crack in it's shell?  That nut that is frustrating in it's perfectly encased packaging???  You just want to take a hammer to it and smash it open?  If you do that, then the nut is just a crushed mess of intermingled crumbs and shell.  Not very appealing, and certainly more difficult to salvage the good pieces.  Well, I'm going to liken this to a person who is hard to deal with.  You know the ones that are unpleasant, rude and extremely guarded in their interactions.  They are the ones that leave us wondering, "WTF???" Our first inclination is to snap back, giving them the same rude and impatient behavior they've given us but when you work in the customer service field, it is even more important to understand how to handle this type of person and once you get it, it's quite surprising. When you deal with all kinds of personalities and quirks, the one thing that can make a difference is, conversation.  How we phrase what we say and how we handle, the less than cordial customer can change an altercation from either bad to good, or bad to worse.  Surprisingly, it's not only what we say, but also, what we hear.  You see, everyone has a story and until we unearth that story, we will never really know where this person is coming from. By simply pausing, and being receptive to their need to talk, we become the recipient of trust, but the pause needs to be sincere.  It can not be a halt to the conversation where we put our receptors in freeze mode.  As tempting as it is to stop listening and start thinking about our own response, we need to listen without interruption from our own thoughts. This can be the leveler that makes us all more human and more approachable. It's actually one of the most rewarding aspects of working with a wide array of people. Once you catch a slight break in the shell, the eventual release is a gratifying revelation. So the next time you encounter a tough nut, as trying as it may appear, hang in there.  The hard exterior is almost always protecting a softer, more vulnerable interior that is awaiting an appropriately timed displacement.

Finding Fire

A blanket offer is merely a cover up, it's not really intended to supply anything but a superficial feeling of warmth.... It's best to find your own fire.

Teetering Dark Abyss

If we live our lives in fear, we will merely survive, living a guarded and cautious existence
If we live our lives on the edge, we may teeter into the dark abyss,and fall victim to corruption and destruction
If we live our lives with sincerity, we will find the courage and honor necessary to avert the trappings of our own downfall

Facing the fears, 
that bring us to the edge, 
of our own self destruction, 
is the only way out of our teetering dark abyss