Category: dare to be different

dare to be different

Stripped

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Have you ever thought about stripping your life down to the basics? Wiping away the comforts of this or that and replacing those with wonder and curiosity? I didn’t really think about this per se but I made a plan and took action and the reality is I was stripped. 

I wasn’t stripped naked as in bare skinned. I was less full of the extra fluff in life. Down to the bare minimum allowing myself to immerse in new surroundings. I spent some time in nature. I enjoyed deer up close and to show how close I snapped a pic of their doo doo. Yes I’m that weird. I listened to sounds. Sometimes just the quiet of the day or the night. The peaceful air when stripped lets you reflect a little differently. No TV blaring. No dogs barking. No kids demanding attention. I even met some nice new people but I also met some folks that were not as nice. The latter being a great view of people weighed down in life. 

Peeling back the onion on people. How an environment can cause somebody to be bitter or how life can just make a person salty for this reason or that reason. At the end of the day I choose my reaction to those that may be in their salty stage of life! I can choose to greet them with the mirrored version of themselves or I can sprinkle a little pixie dust on their day in hopes they may see light vs darkness in the rest of their day.

I had no idea how wild the feelings would be. A fresh slate to paint awaits. My four walls became an amazing canvas to paint my life sparkles on. No real boundaries. It like going off to college for the first time to experience life yet I have all the life experiences to apply to my new found canvas. Interesting and odd at the same time. Stripped is the new state I encourage for all those in the almost golden era. A new kind of naked. Some may fear the boldness associated with stripping but I embrace it in a full Monty kind of fashion.

A shift. A little distance. An awakening. A reset of the mind, the body and the soul. A feeling of thankfulness floats in the air. A rumble in the tummy indicates the hunger to see all that’s new and near. The jolt of energy that sparks the day knowing today is a new day full of what’s surprises lurking around the corner for me.

This rambling is about a life shift. A transition of living for my kids and what’s best for them to the collective space for me to start living those golden years before I am too old to embrace the wonder of today. I’m choosing to make those memories now to fill my memory bank for the days that I am forced to live viewing what’s in the rearview. That day may come, but until then I’m chasing what’s ahead vs dwelling on what’s behind.

Don’t let today pass you by. Try the new foods. Make the new friends. Join that club that stretches your comfort zone. Undo your comfort zone. Get naked in life! Be extraordinary. We have one life in front of us. We can make it an adventure or we can make it a carousel that just spins round and round.

Off to see what’s on today’s horizon.

dare to be different

The Chair

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I saw a chair that caught my eye one day when window shopping. I didn’t need the chair, but I felt drawn to the chair.

I sat in the cool-looking horseshoe like chair and it was comfy. I then sat in the more square chair next to see if it was as comfortable. Nope! Not my lucky day because the chair I was drawn to was more expensive. I didn’t need the chair. However, I walked around the store and came back to the chair more than once. I was really drawn to that particular chair. Maybe it was the comfort. Maybe it was just the only one like it in the whole store. Maybe it was my creative side of my brain telling me it would be perfect for me!

I tried to find every reason why not to get the chair. I sent a photo of the chair to friend for consultation. I talked to myself about the whys or why nots of acquiring such a chair. I could buy it, but the rational me was evaluating if I needed the chair. I did not specifically need this chair. However, I was feeling compelled to buy it. I did walk away. I was so proud of myself for not splurging in the moment. 

However, I have a news flash. I returned a few weeks later. The chair was still there. I was still drawn to it. I sat in the cool chair again and it was still comfy. I contemplated again. I took the plunge and spent the money.

Long story short. I have the chair!

The window chair.

The chair by the window.

The chair with a view.

The view of the chair.

My little white chair.

My cool horseshoe-like chair.

This is now one of my most favorite spots to visit. A thinking perch. A book nook. A resting place to feel the warmth of the sun flowing through the windows. All of this because the chair spoke to me. And I listened. 

Who knew a chair could talk?

Who knew I needed this chair, but didn’t want to spend the money on the chair?

Some days it’s a chair. Some days its a car. Some days it’s an outfit. Listen. The feeling that goes with the item calling your name needs you! My soul was satisfied by this little chair. Oh the adventures I will go on in the chair.

Now did you ever think you could adventure in a chair? Well I can! Just like I can listen to a chair. 

celebrations, dare to be different

31 Days: The 2025 Edition

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Oh the beautiful life we are given and the blank slate we have to write our story as we live each day. For this reason and many more I am continuing my tradition of my list of 31. The list that summarizes a glimpse of my month or 31 days each year. It’s fun to see what makes the list, but it’s just as fun to review the lists of years past.

It’s a great way for me to see that I am constantly evolving and also for others to take a peek and see if they are stuck in a way or maybe want to feel enlightened to try x, y or z. I’m always moving forward but I’m always looking back to remember how far I’ve come. 

1-I put a property under contract.

2-I closed on said property.

3-I planned a relocation.

4-i planned a trip.

5-I booked a massage.

6-I ate brunch with friends.

7-I made some new friends.

8-I read a new book.

9-I did some writing.

10-I did some strategic planning.

11-I made some donations.

12-I had many hard conversations.

13-I dealt with plenty of adversity personally and professionally.

14-I played tennis in the frigid cold.

15-I was a Good Samaritan in an ice storm.

16-I played in snow not once but twice.

17-I spent time with my mom being silly.

18-I spoiled my dogs.

19-I got a BIG ASS calendar for 2025.

20-I spent a lot of money.

21-I watched Trump take his presidency.

22-I went to North Carolina.

23-I was assigned Lori as my tennis alter ego.

24-I dealt with a leaky windshield for the first time ever in a car.

25-I sold two motorcycles.

26-I ate some good home cooked meals.

27-I initiated several new projects.

28-I learned how to connect a stove to a smart house.

29-I worked hard to bring home the bacon.

30-I played equally hard outside the workplace.

31- I started the countdown to retire.

This year I didn’t really elaborate on any of the 31 items. Not really sure why I kept it simple, but I just did. When I reflect on my state of mind this month I’m summing it up as happy. 

I’m a at peace with so many things in life. I’m finally settled into the role of empty nester. It has been a process to get fully untethered, but it was worth the wait I suppose.

The blue skies.

The less travelled road.

The quiet car rides to new destinations.

The allure of chasing the new in life.

The freeing feeling of letting go of things.

The warmth of a good cup of coffee and

the ambiance that it’s entangled with.

Just a few notes for me to recall down the road. Nothing fancy, but a blissful state of mind. Off I go into the sunset somewhere day dreaming of what’s near but also what’s far. Just a day in my life to share.

#TinkRuns2024, dare to be different

The Sad Farewell

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This is probably not the grief post you think about, but I am grieving a loss. This particular loss stems back to my marathon experience. It’s a loss some forecast, yet I was in disbelief. I complained about my enormous blister post-race and thought that was bad but it was only a short-term discomfort. The loss of a toenail is much more of a grueling process of lingering symptoms and moments of hope for life. Much like a loved one in hospice. I know that’s a terrible comparison yet it seems to fit.

For many distance runners, losing a toe nail is no big deal. It’s almost expected. I was warned but hopeful I was not a going to be a victim. Well fate had other plans for me. I  unfortunately lost a toenail. My big toenail on my right foot has found its final resting place in my bathroom trash can! It’s been a process of suffering leading up to the loss. Now I am actually grieving!

Apparently the race caused my toe some trauma. I have evidence of bruising on my left toes but nothing like the right foot. It was almost instantly I knew I had an issue. I am pretty sure I made the mistake of having a gel pedicure prior to the race as my nail had the extra weight of the gel mixed with friction and moisture for an extended period of time. Not good and I don’t recommended gel toes for race day!

First I had to remove the gel to let the air heal my toe. This was fun pedicure #1. Oh how this process took time. Almost 3 months later, I was still looking at a blue, yellow, green and black ugly toe. Every day. It was such a struggle to greet myself each morning with such disfigurement. Yet life goes on. Tennis matches. Heels for work. Exercising. All movements that irritated the healing process in one way or another.

Fast forward to the soaking day in the bath tub, some three months later. The nail decided it had enough. It almost floated away in silence. It was bitter sweet, but also such a sad moment. Naked and afraid my toe was. This new stage was undiscovered. New growth was slowly beginning life at the base of the toe nail bed but brushing was still midway on the naked toe itself.

I’m sparing you the photos but hopefully the picture has been painted in your mind. I have always had neat and well manicured feet. Now not so much. In the near future I will struggle as well. My trip to the beach next week will sit a little different. The toes in the sand just won’t get their normal photo opportunity.

Life is messy. We must all listen to how the universe whispers to us. Today I reflect on my toe. The loss itself. The journey while my fate was lingering by a hair. The experience that was amazing but yet caused this unexpected passing. The second chance with new growth. The disfigurement. All of this mourning over a toenail!

The moral of this story is life goes on for some but not for others. We must make the most of what opportunities we have while we can. My toenail had no idea that its fate was doomed. The disfigurement is a pivot point of doom or gloom. We all choose our paths in life. Happy or sad. Near or far. It’s all our choice.

Today I chose to run forward with vim and vigor. Because I can. I might not be in my prettiest stage of life, but I’m still living it as if I was!

dare to be different

Retirement 101a

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What age does one think about retiring?

Does everyone think about retiring?

Is there a set age?

Should you have a set dollar amount tucked away?

Should you work part-time after retiring from your career?

Should you start a hobby business?

Should you…..

I don’t know that there is a right or wrong answer to the retirement question(s). Everyone’s situation is different. Maybe you can work part time or have hobby income. Maybe you can spend half your year at home and the other half in a sunshine state for example. Options are plentiful. 

The big thing is you need a plan. You need to visualize where you want to be and find a way to get there. Maybe it’s to live the carefree life in an RV or on a cruise ship. Maybe it’s just a smaller footprint/maintenance free home closer to family. Maybe today it’s this, tomorrow it’s something different. When you retire you choose what makes you happy and you live within the means slotted.

My road to retirement will be less traveled. Off grid in a way yet a hop skip and a jump from anything I really need. I may start the process sooner rather than later. Why? Well there the answer is more of why not!

This summer when I travelled I felt good moving and exploring. However I saw many say 70 year old retirees attempting to enjoy the surroundings but had challenges. Physically weaker. Frail in stature. Maybe losing sight or hearing. Travelling is a lot on one’s body. If you wait too long, you won’t enjoy it. I don’t want to be the one who waits. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for anyone!

Today life goes by in an instant. If you wait too long life’s opportunities may pass you by. I don’t want to take the trip of a lifetime at 75 years old because I finally have time to go. Heck some people don’t even make it to 75!

As I write today I’m 52 years old. In 20 years I’d like to look back at this post and be in awe of my foresight. My ability to dream and my desire to dare myself to do. 

Here’s to dreaming ahead. Paving the way and enjoying the views. It is my hope that I will write retirement updates each year. Who knows if I will. What I do know is I have starting thinking about my retirement. Nothing is etched in stone but I’m moving the dial.