My last blog about defining midlife drew more readers than any of the 100+ blogs I've posted to date. That shouldn't surprise anyone who knows the stats on boomers—a formidable group of more than 78 million, comprising 30% of the population in the U.S. The fact that boomers tend to be more introspective than any other generation accounts for the array of information on the market to help them better understand themselves and maneuver through this often disorienting time of life.
Take for example, one of the latest books for and about boomers called Thinking About Tomorrow: Reinventing Yourself in Midlife by Susan Crandell. Crandell, the former editor-in-chief of More Magazine, re-engineered her own life and became a freelance writer and book author. Her inspiring book recounts the stories of a group of diverse individuals who seized the challenge of their age and made significant changes at midlife. Among the chapters that feature people whom Crandell refers to as "life entrepreneurs" is the story behind my annual Women's Retreat in Provence. The profiles in Crandell's book illustrate what can unfold when someone honestly and attentively asks: What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
To begin to explore that question yourself, consider:
- What am I longing to do or experience?
- Is there a part of an old dream that could be salvaged and integrated into my life now?
- What energizes and engages me? What would need to happen to bring more of that into my life?
- What helps me listen to what is true for me? How can I increase that activity?
- What is most important to me at this time? Am I living my life in alignment with this priority? If not, what needs to shift so that I am true to what I value?
"It's never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot
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Barbara is now accepting applications for her annual Women's Retreat in Provence 9/23-29/07. For more info, go to: www.yourprovenceretreat.com
Barbara- I agree with most of your article. I would change the part about "is there a part about an old dream that can be salvaged and integrated".
The problem with "old", "is old". Why put effort into changing something that needs to be changed, and then mess it up with "old dreams and old unplayed ideas".
While rethinking the old stuff is not a bad idea, I would suggest aligning oneself with what's new and exciting, instead.
Everyone should read "The World is Flat - A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century" by Thomas L. Friedman. Any resolve to get your remaining time on this planet more in sysnthesis with what's happening now, will surely be more interesting. What made us what we are is certainly each of our fates so far, or at least our current realities. Maybe this time we could do more of something that is interesting or even maybe "FUN!"
Posted by 062974
Just checking in Barbara, I took a workshop with you must be 4 years ago now. It's taken me all of that and then some to realign my life and strip away some of the layers keeping me stuck. Just last week I had an epiphany that I believe will be one of the final pieces of this puzzle called mid-life.
Thanks for continuing to post, I am still listening.
As to the above commenter, "old" doesn't have to mean "well worn" -I see it as revisiting past dreams that have never died.
In my case, it's clear to me I need to finally go after that grad degree I've been talking about for far too long.
Fun and interesting have never left my vocabulary!
Posted by SASi believe in dreams - perhaps the adjective 'old' is a bit misplaced. dreams live within us and are a reflection of our deepest desires. the fact that we may yet have acted upon them does not lessen their importance. the steps to achieving a dream may change significantly over time but a dream is after all an internal prediction of where we want our life to be - physically, spiritually and emotionally. if you have carried a dream into midlife, it is probably a good indicator that you best not abandon it. listen to it, it likely has been an ignored priority for a very long time - you can reinvent the rest of your life.
Posted by robynAt midlife, people begin to come to terms with the fact that they won't live forever. They realize, sometimes regrettfully, that dreams they had will not be fulfilled. "Old" dreams may be ones that have been with the person for a long time--some need to be released, transformed or enacted.
Thanks for the heartfelt conversation all!
Posted by BarbaraI appreciate the reality check and words of inspiration. I am over 50 and just left a sales job to use my creative and entreprenuerial skills to work on new ministries and community service with my church. I also plan to take a "meat and potatoes" job to pay the bills. Ministry has been on my heart for more than 30 years and translated itself into many forms of volunteerism. My call to (lay) ministry continues to be realized.
Thanks.
Your career transition is an apt example of the midlife quest for meaning and making a difference. Kudos to you for heeding the call.
Posted by Barbara
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