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Karen O'Connor

Author, Speaker, Writing Mentor

Back to the 80s

Karen O'Connor Posted on by

Hi everyone. Yesterday we had an 80s bash here at Provision to celebrate assisted living and open our facility to the community. It was so much fun. I danced and sang and wore a silly hat and enjoyed the wonderful food.

a professional DJ supplied us with plenty of 80s music.


I learned an interesting lesson from this experience. I woke up that morning and didn’t feel like attending. I knew it would be busy with scores of people, loud music  and silly costumes. The 80s didn’t mean much to me. But then I realized  that didn’t matter. My resident friends and staff would be there. I was part of our community and so I donned my hat and joined in.

I later came to see again that I make my own happiness wherever I am. It’s my task to support people and myself in participating in life, thereby enriching it. A gentleman guest came up to me and introduced himself. “You look like a friendly person,” he said, “and I see by your pin that you’re on the welcoming committee. So I welcomed him and we had a rich conversation about his family and mine and the benefit of living in an assisted living facility as one’s needs change. We left smiling and thanking each other for a delightful chat.

I went back to my apartment feeling better off for having pushed myself beyond my comfort zone and blessing myself and another person because of it.

Proverbs 11: 25-31: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 

Yes, yes, and yes!

Comments

Back to the 80s — 15 Comments

  2. Wow! Karen your zest for living is so inspiring. How wonderful that you went to the celebration, even though you didn’t want to go initially. Your hat is so cute and I love your beautiful smile. You are a blessing dear friend. Love you.
    Sandy

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  3. Funny hat- that is also cute!! Since the covid shutdown, I, too, have had trouble going to big events- or even getting up the energy to go to any group events. Thanks for the reminder that moving out of our comfort zone often gives us rich blessings!

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  4. Hey Karen! Hopefully you remember me from mentoring at Christian Writer’s Guild many years ago. I appreciate you still plugging away and sharing your stories. Keep it coming…and I love the 80s😊

    God bless,
    Crystal

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  5. I love this… Good for you for going to this event! I had my 45th HS reunion this past weekend and was not sure I wanted to attend, afterall, it had been a long time! I went, reconnect and was blessed. Stretched me a bit, but being stretched is good! FYI – you continue to inspire me and I will always treasure your wisdom!

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  6. Hi Karen…I can certainly relate.
    I’m not of a party person. Small talk isn’t easy for me. But when I make the effort I am always blessed. Thank you for sharing…what a blessing you are.
    Keep on keeping on one day at a time.

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  7. Oh, Karen, this is so recovery. You are an inspiration. Keep showing up for the process and in doing that, you help others by showing the way. I love you. Heidi

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