“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Epictetus
 
I think one of the most surprising things about being eighty is how fast time goes.  It seems like it was just the beginning of spring and now summer is about to begin. In talking with people who are my age we all have many things in common, but it is how we react to the changes in our lives that makes the difference.  Being resilient and being able to come back from a challenge whether physical or emotional is important at any stage of life. Resilience is a word I think about often.

As we age, we often think about things differently than when we were younger.  I remember feeling old when I turned thirty. My husband made me a beautiful wooden cane and said when you need this, then you will be old. Of course someone can need a cane at any age, for many reasons, but at thirty that is what we thought.  I have been lucky enough to have only had to use a cane once.  It was three years ago and my first time at a drag race and I did not want to miss a minute of the experience.  For some reason, I woke up with a terrible backache. I did not want to miss the race, but I knew I could not walk around the pits all day without any assistance. So, I bought a sparkly blue cane and never missed a minute of all the excitement. And that is why resilience is so important not only when we are eighty but throughout life. It is how we adapt to the unexpected changes or challenges in our day or our life. It is how we grow and change, as necessary.  We are all going to grow old if we are lucky.  We are all going to have challenges no matter how we age.  It is how we react to those challenges that makes the difference. 

Think of a time when you were challenged by something unexpected.  What was it?  How did you manage it? Would you do anything differently?  Were you resilient?  Begin to acknowledge and celebrate the times that you were resilient during an unexpected predicament.  It is important to see ourselves as people who age well, who can manage problems with certainty and determination so that we can enjoy life as we are meant to do!

 As Joshua Marine said, “Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them are what makes life meaningful.”

              When you share your gifts and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                                        Ginny

                                       "We are stronger when we listen and smarter when we share."
                                                        Rania Al-Abdullah, Queen of Jordan

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the importance of good communication and how it can change our lives. I remember growing up without emails, cell phones and texting.  I remember talking with my friends at school and racing home to talk to them again on the phone. Communication was easy and fun.  It was something I looked forward to each day without knowing how much of a difference it made in my life. 

Things are very different now. There are many more ways to communicate.  Communication with family, friends and colleagues can be fast and easy.  It can happen in a matter of minutes or seconds. Type or dictate a few words or sentences and click a button and that is all it takes. Have only a minute, then hit the emoji button. You are not sure what to say or how to respond, let AI do it for you.  Communicating this way is fast and easy but do we really get to know the other person and how they think. Is this the way to make a friend for life? Do you really want to know what the other person is doing or do you just need to get to the next thing or person on your list?

We live in a very fast paced world where how much you do is often considered very important.  But now at eighty and looking back for just a moment I realize it is not how much you do each day but who you touched with what you did.  Real communication takes time. It takes sitting together, looking at each other, and listening.  It is being curious and asking questions.  It is taking turns speaking and listening.  It is a conversation over coffee. It is caring about what the other person is sharing and not just waiting for your turn to talk.

We live in a world where we have become isolated and afraid to talk to each other. We surround ourselves with voices that match our own.  There is no room any longer for discussion.  It has become difficult to discuss important matters because we are afraid of offending someone or if we openly share our thoughts or opinions we might lose that person in our lives.  But what I have found without taking the time to share, and discuss, and politely argue is that I have lost that person in my life anyway. At least in a deep and meaningful way.

So what is the answer?  As I always suggest, take one small step, and see where it leads you.  Invite a  friend you haven't talked to in a long time over for a visit.  Ask a family member to share a cup of coffee. Rather than wave at your neighbor, walk across the lawn and talk to them. First steps are not always easy but they may lead to a series of steps that can change your life. You never know unless you try.  And remember look the person in the eye and ask questions.  It can make a big difference in the outcome of your conversation. 
                               
                                When you share your gifts and talent with the world, magic happens.
                                                         Let the magic begin!
 
                                                                    Ginny
                    Feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page.  I would love to start a conversation!

      “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”
                                                         Jimmy Carter

As an eighty year old I have seen major changes both in the world and the people around me.  Some of the changes are easy to adapt to and make the world a better place.  We are living in an era where the changes that some want, go against everything I believe in. This is where the principles that have been with me since childhood make every day decisions so much easier to make and defend.

Recently I read a quote by Mahatma Gandhi which I think in today’s political climate is important to remember. "We must be prepared to displease the dearest ones for the sake of principle". This not always easy to do when you are talking about those you love.  In reading both the quote by Jimmy Carter and Mahatma Gandhi I noticed that they both begin with the words: We must. Our principles are not something we can take out when it is convenient and put away if they don’t fit the narrative of the day.  As President Dwight Eisenhower said, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”  I value truth and honesty, kindness and compassion, empathy and caring.  A world without any of them seems cold and unwelcoming.  What are the principles that guide you throughout each day?  Have they changed as the world has or have they become stronger as you see the importance of them in your daily life?  I would love to know your thoughts on Jimmy Carter’s quote above.

                                  When you share your gifts and talents with the world magic happens.
                                                           Let the magic begin!
                                                                      Ginny

Living Life at Eighty
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This was a week of reflections.  At eighty we have many years to look back upon and to think about what really matters.  This week my partner also turned eighty.  Although we did not know each other until we were in our seventies, we experienced many of the same events growing up.  At a birthday celebration with our family this week we were asked two questions:  Which five news events stood out to us and which five personal events were very important to us?  The explanations were long and sometimes similar so in each category we each got to share two.  It is a conversation I hope that we will continue the next time we get together with our families.

It was interesting that we both talked about the events that stood out to us in the 1960’s.  We talked about the Vietnam War and how our experiences led us into very different paths.  We talked about the Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement as well.  At the same time twice, this week I read comments and questions from younger generations asking “Boomers” how they got through the turmoil of the sixties without losing hope.  They asked for advice on how to deal with what is happening in our country today.  I spent some time reflecting on those times and how we dealt with it. 

As with everything in life, my experience does not mean that it was the same for everyone. I believed and still do that we were fighting for change and for a better world in the sixties.  We were fighting for equality.  We believed that we could make things better and I think we did. Although we tried, life is not perfect and not the same for all people. I understand that but, in my youth, I may not have been fully aware of that fact. We did move things forward and as with any movement for change it was and continues to be slow and ongoing.

 Now, we are fighting to not lose the rights that so many people take for granted and have never lived without.  If you have never lived when women could not have a credit card in their own name or were asked if they were going to get married or have children before they could be hired you don’t know what that is like. Compared to the problems of today that might not seem like much. It is if they are rights you now possess and may lose. I hope that what we did in the sixties matters just as I hope that the marches and phone calls to our representatives matter today.  We need to make sure that our voices are heard and that the people who need us, whether we know them or not, understand that they matter, that we care, and that they are not alone.

I know that when you and I look back upon this time in history we will remember that it was very difficult and one we never want to experience again.  I also hope that everyone will be able to recall what they did during this turbulent time with pride. I hope that when down the road you are sitting with your sons and daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren you will be able to explain what steps you took, no matter how small, to make the world a better place for them.  Today’s youth are becoming more and more involved in the fight to save our democracy.  This will help future generations know what steps to take to continue to make our country and the world a place where everyone is free, safe and feels that they too matter!

Remember:  When you share your gifts and talents with the world magic happens.
                                                         Let the Magic Begin!
                                                                          Ginny

Almost two weeks ago I decided that I would document at least for a year what living life at 80 would be like. I know that it is a privilege to reach this age and that we all age differently.  I wanted to share what my version of being 80  looks and feels like. I think that the title of my blog is perfect for what I will be writing about this year for this is a very Special Moment in Time that I hope to embrace and enjoy to the fullest. 
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It has not even been two weeks since I turned 80 but the days and nights and weeks seem to go quicker every year so I thought I better get started writing or before I know it I will be turning 81.  As I wrote on Facebook, I am facing this new decade with excitement as well as curiosity about what adventures are just around the corner.  What I didn’t explain was that aging has always been something I dreaded.  I had a mother who lived life to the fullest but who never wanted to get old and that was instilled in me from a very young age. About three years ago I did a deep dive into ageism and found that it is real.  I decided the first person’s attitude I needed to change was mine. I had to look at getting older as something to be proud of rather than something to hide.  I stopped thinking it was the beginning of the end but rather the start of something new.  I stopped thinking that certain things would change based solely on the number of years I lived. 

I remember when I began teaching at age 35. I was sure I would retire at age 60.  I used to laugh that I would be too old to walk down the halls and keep up with the kids. When I reached 60 I realized that nothing was further from the truth.  I did retire but that was not the reason.  I was hired as a principal to open a charter school.  I retired when I realized that my vision for the school did not match that of the management company.  It had nothing to do with my age.

In my seventies I learned to live a full life as a widow, ran for Georgia State House of Representatives, was Chair of the County Democratic Party, and so much more. At 60 I could never have predicted what life would look or feel like at 70 so now beginning my 80th year I am not going predict what life will bring or let ageism set any limitations on what I can or cannot do. I have many friends of all ages and I hope that my posts will remind them not to let society or their age limit how they think or what they can accomplish.  We are never too young or too old to accomplish great things that can change both our own life and the lives of others.  

This will not be a political blog but politics and what is happening in our country will be part of what I will write about. We are living in a difficult time. I remember protesting during the Vietnam war and marching for Civil Rights. Although there were periods during my life when I was not involved in politics, this will not be one of them. I believe we must stand up for what we believe in and what is right. To ignore what is happening all around us is not something I can do. I think we all have special gifts and talents and we can and should use them to help those in need.  I received the following message from Maria Shriver this morning. She wrote, “Let us remember to lead with love over fear, with facts over lies, and with compassion over judgment.”  I think that is very good advice that I will carry with me over the days to come.  

I hope that you have a very productive and happy week.  And remember:

                        When you use your gifts and talents, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                               Ginny

As you know, this blog is called Special Moments in Time.  When I started this blog I thought I would always be sharing the positive things that happened in my life with my family, friends and readers who would become like family and friends.  Today's post is different.  This is a special moment in time but for me different than most of the other special moments I wrote about over the years.  Today, I feel like how the beach above looked the day I walked on it. It was a cold cloudy day and the beach was filled with driftwood that looked lonely and sad.  It is actually a very moving beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia which can evoke a variety of reactions. Today the picture above evokes a quiet feeling of uncertainty which parallels the world that swirls around me. 

We live in a time where there is much upheaval and change going on from minute to minute in the United States.  People that I speak to are very afraid of what is happening and uncertain of how the changes will affect them or those they love.  As we learn that the things we have always counted on may be dismantled and watch those we strongly disagree with move forward with  plans that will disrupt our lives, what can we do?  That is the question I hear most often, "What Can We Do?"

I too am trying to figure out what I can do.  We are all different and have to find the things that will work best for us. There are people who would rather not know what is happening and deliberately stay uninformed.  That is not me.  I truly believe the saying, "Knowledge is Power."  I try to read and listen to the voices of the people I respect and who are in a position to know more than I do.  I do my due diligence and fact check as much as I can.  I try not to overreact or overthink things as I have a tendency to do.

We need to let our Representatives and Senators know how we feel about the decisions they are making or not making.  If your Congressman is doing what you like be sure to thank him or her.  If you disagree with them, let them know.  They work for you.  It does not take long to make a phone call or send a text. And it can make a difference if enough of us contact them and let them know how we feel.

Go to your local political meetings and get to know the people who support the ideas you believe in. 2026 will be here before you know it.  Encourage candidates to run for office. Once they announce they are running support them in every way you can.  Local government can make a difference. Change begins from the bottom up, not the top down. Get involved now.  Don't wait.  Do you have a special skill? Don't take it for granted.  Let people know what you can do and how you want to help.  

We need to work hard to make sure that our country does not turn into a place we do not recognize.  Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to protect the freedoms that so many have worked hard for and fought for,  We can't look away and pretend what is happening is not taking place. It is important that we do all that we can do while at the same time taking care of ourselves.  We need to take a break when we need it.  For me it has been watching fun stories on TV or reading light material.  It's been meeting friends for lunch or taking a walk.  It is planning a short trip and looking forward to seeing the ocean.  For you it will be something different. It is important that no matter what you do, that you do it to take care of yourself.  

I started this by saying this is a Special Moment in Time.  It is.  It's not the kind of special moment I ever wanted to experience but it is here and we have to do what we can to protect ourselves and the values that make this country special.  There will be a time when we look back and wonder how this could have happened. There will come a day when we will rejoice that this period in time is over. What will you tell others you did to make our world a better place while still taking care of yourself? 

                When you share your gifts and talents with the world magic happens. Let the magic begin!

                                                          57 days left until Election Day

When I was coaching and blogging on a regular basis I always ended my blog post with the words,
       When you share your gifts and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!

What if we all shared our gifts and talents with the world for the next 57 days to help Kamala Harris and Tim Walz win the election? Nothing that we do is too little or too big.  A phone call to a friend to encourage them to register to vote is important.  Explaining why you think Harris and Walz are the best choice to lead our country to someone undecided may help them make the best decision for them. Having your own postcard party, texting voters, driving people to the polls all make a huge difference. Are you an artist?  Share your artwork.  Do you like to write?  Write an opinion piece to the local paper explaining why you think this is the most important election in a very long time.  Wear your Chucks, your pearls, or your Harris/Walz T-shirts as you go about your daily life. People will notice and know that they are not alone especially if you live in a very red county like I do. What you do makes a difference.  We have 57 days left to make a difference in how the country will be for not only ourselves but for our children and grandchildren. Let’s make the most of those 57 days.

I would love to know how you will share your gifts and talents with the world this election season.  Your ideas may encourage others to do the same. Now is the time to:
                                                Let the magic begin!

                              Today is my birthday.  I turn 78 today which is amazing. 

At one time I looked at age as something to be afraid of, but as I celebrate each year I realize how lucky I am to be able to experience so many wonderful things.  This past year I spent time reading and discussing ageism with anyone who would listen to me.

We live in a country where very often aging is not something to be admired but frowned upon. It is the stories we tell ourselves or that are told to us from the time we are young that can influence the way we think and act about aging.. Ads we see and read are all anti-aging. People are often made to look or sound silly, scared or confused.  Stories of wisdom or experience are not valued or celebrated as much as they once were.

The way we personally think about aging can be changed. It starts with what we tell ourselves and how we speak about ourselves as well as others. Remaining curious, asking questions, learning new things and meeting new people helps us to remain vibrant and relevant. Not paying attention to how others believe we should act or live but setting our own goals and sharing those goals with people, both young and old, can be inspirational for everyone involved.  

Ageism is the one prejudice we all have the possibility of experiencing.  Everyone who lives will get older.  It doesn't matter what your gender, race or socio-economic status is, if you get older you face the possibility of encountering ageism in the workplace and in everyday life.  One of my goals for this year is to learn more about ageism and to focus a light on it.  I want to focus on how we combat ageism. It would be wonderful if instead of being afraid of aging we celebrate the fact that with each day we live we get to experience new things, meet new people, gain wisdom, and have more fun. 

The title of this blog is Special Moments in Time.  Each day is filled with special moments.  We just need to slow down and begin to notice them. Today turning 78 was filled with special moments. Beginning to write this blog once again was definitely a special moment that I hope will begin a new love of writing. I hope you too will notice the special moments in your life each day. 

                                    Has ageism affected your life or how you feel about getting older?  

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                When you share your dreams and talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.
                                                                                      Ginny

It's been an interesting two days.  Taking new classes and meeting new people always inspires me.  It always fascinates me to talk to someone new and learn about their life and how they got to be where they are now.  Yesterday I met Donnie Osmond's cousin and today I met four women who had spent a lifetime doing incredibly meaningful and interesting work.  They are all still actively involved in making the world a better place for generations to come.  

In class yesterday the facilitator asked "Where were you when integration took place?  Since this was a room full of people who were either in high school or college at the time it was very interesting to hear where they were and what was taking place around them.  The facilitator believes that what was happening around you at that time influences how you feel about politics now.  Thus, the reason for today's title - Looking back - Moving Forward

One of the questions I often ask clients who are stuck is, "What worked in the past?"  Whether it is a problem moving forward with a project, starting a diet or looking for a new job thinking about the strategies that you used in the past that worked (and did not work) can often be very helpful.  I know for me vocalizing what is happening has always made a difference.  The other person doesn't have to say a word. Listening is enough.  If they give me a solution, I'll listen but most of the time I know I have the answer within.  I just need to vocalize situation and then listen for the answer. 

Is there something you would like to do but just can't seem to get started?  Ask yourself, "What worked in the past when I was stuck?"  Give yourself some quiet time to find the answer.  It doesn't always appear immediately.  But when it does, listen to your inner voice and take the steps necessary to begin to move forward.  The first step is always the hardest but it is so worth the risk.  

On Friday I'll post about the importance of taking very small steps and how without realizing it they can make a really big difference  in your life.

Out of curiousity - where were you when integration was taking place?  Did it make a difference in your life or the lives of others you know?

It's been a long time.  Almost a year since my last blog post.  A few weeks ago I received an email from someone who said, "I happened upon your blog.  I noticed you have not posted in a long time but are you still coaching?"  I am so glad that she took the time to reach out.  Not only could I say yes I was still coaching but I also realized just how long it had been since my last blog post.  And thinking about blogging made me realize that I miss it.  I not only miss writing but I miss the people I met because of my blog.

I started my blog as a way to express myself when my husband was fighting Pulmonary Hypertension.  Through it I met many wonderful people in all parts of the world.  Through some of those people I learned about coaching and became a Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach.  I never had to leave home to meet with clients (although I did) and I learned so many things from the many people I worked with.  Along with working with individual clients, I've held online workshops and year long in person workshops too.  It's wonderful to be there when a client has an Aha moment and begins to move forward on a project or a new direction in their life.  

I named my blog Special Moments In Time because when you are fighting a rare disease, like the one Greg had, it's easy to lose sight of the wonderful things that are happening all around you.  So we would end each day sharing something special that we had experienced.  It was usually something very simple but as we moved through his nine year journey we realized more and more that it was the simple things that made the difference.

I've toyed with changing the name of my blog but decided to keep it the same.  Life is very different now but there are still special moments each day.  I just have to remember to look for them.  I'm still coaching and meeting new people and I still love creativity and learning and talking for hours with people who share a common interest.  But I've added some new things to the life I am creating now.  I've become really interested in politics and what is happening in our world.  I have very strong opinions but I truly want to understand the opinions of others.  I don't think the world can get better unless we work together and we can't do that unless we talk.  I never knew how much I could enjoy a Sunday afternoon movie or that cooking could actually be fun.  Life as a widow is not easy.  But almost all of the strategies I have learn to help clients create their life or project have been a really big help to me as well.  

I'm not sure where this new blog with the same name will take me.  I've been encouraged to write about being a widow and to share what works for me.  I may do that.  I know that I will continue to share coaching tips and to talk about creativity.  I may even throw in a political post or two.  I'm hoping that as before this blog will encourage me to take pictures and paint more. I'm hoping it will encourage you to share your creativity too.  

​I'll be back on Wednesday to share a little about the class I am taking today.   It's about the Constitution.  Who knew last year at this time this would be something I would be interested in?  That's what is exciting about this journey called life.  You never know where it will take you.  See you on Wednesday!
Ginny

PS  I would love to know what you have been doing!