Karen O'Connor

Friends

This week two people died, one fell and broke her left shoulder and others have had various illnesses. Life is difficult here and elsewhere. There are always unpredictable situations that throw us off track.

“Take it easy. Take your time. Take an extra minute.” We’re quick to dish out advice to others but often forget to practice it ourselves. I have been blessed with good health since I moved here but I’m aware that could change at any moment.

A friend of mine gave me The Little Book of Self-Care and I have devoured some of the wonderful quotes to remind myself that good health is a gift to be enjoyed and never taken for granted. Here are a few:

“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” Lord Byron

“Breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles and you will find comfort and guidance.” Unknown

“Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” Abraham Lincoln

“Relax. Refresh. Recharge. “Unknown

The House of my childhood in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.

New York 1951

Recently at one of my writing clinics I encouraged my writers to jot down some notes about a dream they remember as a child that came true when they least expected it. Then I shared one of mine that brought back a precious memory.

On my thirteenth birthday my father gave me a lovely pair of pearl earrings and my mother gave me my first tube of red lipstick. Both made me feel very grown up.  I had dreamed of going to New York and seeing all the wonderful sights wearing both the earrings and lipstick. I figured I’d have to wait many more years before that could happen.

But then out of the blue, our family received an invitation to attend the ordination into the priesthood of a friend of ours and it was to take place in New York. Oh could it be? Daddy said we could go! Not only the city of my dream but my first airplane ride, as well.

Mom bought me a new dress and stockings and I wore the red lipstick and pearl earrings.

That year I found out that dreams can and do come true. Later in life as a grownup I had another dram come true. I became a professional writer.

How about you? Tell us about your dream.

Hiking and climbing in the forest. 

I read an inspiring article in AARP Magazine recently by a 60+ year old mom who was terrified of heights and certainly of climbing a mountain.. She had watched her son take on the challenges when he was a young man. She wanted to understand what his interest and ability were all about, so she decided to find out. She joined a local climbing gym. Once she learned the skills, her fear began to disappear. By the time she turned 66 she was the oldest woman to scale El Capitan, towering 3,000 feet above Yosemite’s valley floor.

This remarkable story reminded me of my years of hiking in the Sierra Mountains, with other brave women, crowning my experience when I was 57 and reached the top of Mt. Whitney.

A good example of one of the mountains we hiked.

Facing fear is one of the great challenges of life. The author,  Deirdre Wolonick reminds us that as we age, despite our concerns about breaking a bone or falling in a situation we have no control over, we have to win our battle with fear if we hope to keep on living and living well. I agree.

I’m not hiking anymore (going on age 86) but I have so much gratitude for the days I was able to.

What challenge will you face? Singing or speaking in front of a group? Learning to play Bridge? Playing the piano like you used to?

You name it. Then give it a try and wake up to the marvelous talented person God made you to be.

Isaiah 41:10 God tells us to not to fear. He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Sunset in a beautiful Nevada Desert

A couple of years ago I went to NV to visit my son and his wife. Their apartment is on the edge of Las Vegas so we drove to the desert to flee the noise and glitter of the crowds. Oh how peaceful it was. I came home refreshed and renewed. It took so little and yet I forgot how easy I it is to change my perception and my experience.

Now I live in an assisted living facility in Ohio, far from the NV desert and yet not far from a peaceful walk across the street from my building or a delightful swing in the courtyard. But if I don’t encourage myself to do one or the other or something else, I forget and just give in to myself.

So this year I’m creating new thoughts–not resolutions–just loving thoughts that focus on me and what blesses my spirit and my body and soul.

Living in the now. Happy New Year, everyone!

There is so much to look forward to in the new year–most of which is unknown to us at this point, but we can be grateful for it even so.

A little change in my blog posts is ahead. I’m going to post every other week instead of once a week. I decided to give myself some time off. So I’m not stopping just taking a breath.

January posts will be the 1st–today, the 15th and the 29th.

To each of you, a most blessed 2024.