As only a passionate 12 year old girl can, I sat at the piano playing Alfie over and over, hot tears splashing down onto the keys, wondering why I was so darn miserable. I had no idea what life was all about, but I longed to know and I could feel something big ahead.
Little did I realize it would be decades before I started to figure it out, or just how much living had to be accomplished before it all started to make sense.
Besides all my creative passions, and loving up my people, what I treasure most is meaningful connection; heart connection, those deep and satisfying times where sharing visions and woes, thoughts and solutions, makes it all worthwhile.
Leaving time for the things that really matter – and then investing that time wisely – is so important.
When I worked (toward the end) there were days where my calendar had no usable openings; it was chockablock with meetings and appointments, each of which had some value (or I would have cancelled), but few of which actually checked important items off my goals list.
Life since retirement is different, as you have discovered. But the essential lesson remains: Listen your mind and body; shed the inessential to preserve time for what’s important; then decide what’s important to you.
At 12 we do wonder what it’s all about don’t we. We can’t wait to grow up and be free of the influences around us, not realizing there would be other limitations. But at least we had dreams and the wherewithal to make some of them come true, even if it was in the distant future. Do you still play the piano?
Hi Darlene, you are a kindred spirit for sure! I haven’t had a piano for about 15 years now, but it gave me a love for music. I would love to sit down again and play. Yesterday at Kin Village a concert for the elders brought in a bagpiper for Robbie Burns, who played several different kinds of pipes. Mom said the residents were enraptured. Music is so healing.
Music is the best! At mom’s senior’s home they bring in Country and Western musicians as that is what most of the residents grew up with. They love it!
[…] get a nudge or an impulse, follow it and find the message. I wrote a post a bit ago called What’s it all about Alfie, describing the angst I felt as a young girl desperate to figure out where or if I might ever, fit […]
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Leaving time for the things that really matter – and then investing that time wisely – is so important.
When I worked (toward the end) there were days where my calendar had no usable openings; it was chockablock with meetings and appointments, each of which had some value (or I would have cancelled), but few of which actually checked important items off my goals list.
Life since retirement is different, as you have discovered. But the essential lesson remains: Listen your mind and body; shed the inessential to preserve time for what’s important; then decide what’s important to you.
Yes, it does apply to retirement, very nicely said. I didn’t expect that until it happened. In any case, no way to live.
At 12 we do wonder what it’s all about don’t we. We can’t wait to grow up and be free of the influences around us, not realizing there would be other limitations. But at least we had dreams and the wherewithal to make some of them come true, even if it was in the distant future. Do you still play the piano?
Hi Darlene, you are a kindred spirit for sure! I haven’t had a piano for about 15 years now, but it gave me a love for music. I would love to sit down again and play. Yesterday at Kin Village a concert for the elders brought in a bagpiper for Robbie Burns, who played several different kinds of pipes. Mom said the residents were enraptured. Music is so healing.
Music is the best! At mom’s senior’s home they bring in Country and Western musicians as that is what most of the residents grew up with. They love it!
That is brilliant.I would love it too.
There is a lesson there for me – thank you for sharing.
Hi Sheila, Yes, time to enjoy retirement!
[…] get a nudge or an impulse, follow it and find the message. I wrote a post a bit ago called What’s it all about Alfie, describing the angst I felt as a young girl desperate to figure out where or if I might ever, fit […]