Empowerment

I just turned 65. Which means I now qualify for senior discounts, mammogram reminders in a slightly larger font, and (if society has its way) an invisibility cloak for women of my age. But I’m not wearing it. Nor buying into society’s ageist nonsense. The truth is: I”m happier now…

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs and values. We often find ourselves compromising on our dreams, desires, and even our true selves, just to meet external expectations or maintain harmony in relationships…

Ever notice how in the summer you feel like a wellness rock star? You’re walking after dinner because the sun’s still out. You’re eating peaches that drip down your chin, tossing together big salads that actually taste good, and thinking, “Finally. I’ve cracked the code.” And then – bam! – it’s October…

I recently read the book The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. There was a sentence near the end of the book that really made me stop and ponder. “We were all so young, you know. We were still our best selves.” I re-read that sentence several times as it evoked a lot of emotions…

We are all familiar with the character that swoops in to save the world from being destroyed, or catch a person falling from a sky scrapper midair. We love the dramatic lead up to the crisis and the will-it-won’t-it scenario. If the hero doesn’t save the day, we could all be doomed!

For most of my life, I made myself smaller. Not in stature, though, yes, I dieted endlessly because society taught me that smaller meant prettier, more acceptable, more lovable. But the shrinking went deeper than my waistline. I diminished myself emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually…

When the bowl fell and broke into pieces, I felt shattered into pieces as well. The grief over this little broken object was shocking and completely inadequate. Yet it was real, and it was deep. Looking for answers, here’s what I found: 1. The Bowl Was a Symbol of Loss It was one of three […]

For many years I lived miles away from my body. The truth was that I really didn’t like her (or me) very much. She never looked as I wanted her to look and seemed to have episodes when she behaved very badly; for example, when she refused to lose the weight I demanded…

There are those who move through life with a sense of personal responsibility. Their words are measured. Their listening is active. Presence comes from years of paying attention – to thought, tone, timing, and the effect they have on others. They’ve made a silent commitment…

If someone had told me in my 30s or 40s that I’d one day become a certified Les Mills BODYPUMP instructor, confidently lifting weights in front of a class, I might have laughed. Not because I didn’t think I could do it but because I didn’t see women like me doing that…