Purpose & Spiritual Wellness
Life doesn’t end after 55 — it expands. This category explores the soulful side of aging, including finding purpose, reconnecting with your spirit, healing from the inside out, and asking big questions. Whether you’re rediscovering a long-lost dream, grieving a loss, or simply craving more meaning, you’ll find comfort and encouragement here. Let’s make this chapter your most intentional yet.
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Gifts That Say “I Still See You”
It was Christmas Eve. Little did I know that six months later, Ma would leave this world forever. She was 91. Had I only known, I would’ve lingered. I would’ve spent more time with her. But that’s just it, we never know, do we? As I rode the elevator to the third floor and walked the long hallway to Ma’s apartment, I wondered if anyone had arrived yet. Her door was already ajar—she always did that when she knew someone was coming. Inside, she sat all dressed up in her glider, as if she’d been ready for hours. That image is etched in my mind. She was alone. My usual…
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Hope for the Holidays: Carrying More Than Cheer
It’s November already! Time to turn the clocks back. I cringe at the long, dark days ahead. On top of that, lately I feel little hope for the approaching holidays, let alone the months following the new year. Too much has happened. Life has tipped my world deep into a valley barren of hope. I hesitate to write this because publicly complaining is unlike me. But the time is before me… My husband and I moved to Florida to stay. We’ve lived here before but decided to make it permanent this time — or so I thought. Without going into details, health issues spiraled downward. Suddenly, I feel like I’m…
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Facing the Final Chapters, What Do I Believe Now?
I like to think of myself as a budding middle-ager disguised in a maturing body. But the truth is, I’m closer to the final chapter than I am to the middle. And lately, fragments from past chapters are flashing before me as if I were conducting my own life review. I’m not in crisis or breaking down. But questions linger in the back of my mind like an intruder, showing up at the most inconvenient times. What Do I Really Believe Now? The reality is that I’m no longer in the middle of life. I’m not even at the top of the mountain, looking back at the rocky ascent. I’m…
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How Addiction Will Destroy Your Love and Annihilate Your Hope
Is He Dying for a Cigarette Our imaginations drift in surreal ways… perhaps this story is yours. It’s another busy Sunday morning already thick with heat and humidity. The kitchen island is buried in packing papers. You’re packing up those last-minute annoying items that everyone usually tosses in a bag. You’re nerves are on fire. You’re anxious because you’re closing on your new place in three days. Your partner is out getting more boxes. Suddenly, the door bursts open. Your partner lunges for the kitchen island, gasping, “I’m not getting any better. I think I need to go to the clinic.” You knew exactly what he meant. This was not…
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Life Just Slapped Me in the Face – Now What?
Warning: Raw truths from the other side of caregiving The Day After It’s early morning. I’m in my office, staring out the window. And there it is—like a familiar old friend—the sun rising behind the ancient oaks, whispering through the branches, “I’m back.” Then, suddenly, like the sting of a hard slap in the face, reality returns. It’s July 5th, the day after yet another holiday. I’m relieved it’s over. I feel alone. I’ve moved to Florida to find a life, to see the ocean and the lush greenness of this beautiful state, to find new friends, and do new things—you know, to live! I moved to Florida four times,…
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When Heaven Holds More Than Just Us
A Reflection on Near-Death and Our Pets in the Afterlife Why This Article Moved Me I recently read an article about a near-death experience that unearthed my faith—something that sometimes gets buried beneath the weight of daily life. Here’s why this one stayed with me and reached into my heart and soul. It was early morning. I was the only one up. I sat in my office, sipping coffee, scanning my email. As tears slid down my face, my little brown-eyed furry angel, Lucy, peeked around the corner. How did she sense my silent weeping? But she did. With those big, inquisitive eyes, she checked in on me, my soft,…
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Boxes of Life
Whose Boxes Are You Living In? I’m lying in bed belly-flop down. That’s my escape route into my world. I’m shutting down! Yes, that’s right, down I go into my idea of peace and calm. My head is resting on my left arm. My eyes are closed. They fall open! I see a hand draped across the pillow. It must be mine. I’m lying here alone. A tanned hand speckled with spots, lined with slightly protruding dark blue veins. The forefinger must have a mind of its own because it’s heading west a bit. Yep, it’s mine alright! Where did the years go? I’m 75–1/2 now. Yes, I count the…
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God Purposefully Designed You, Now Don’t Waste It
What happens when we lose our Spirit? I’m talking about the ‘human’ Spirit. Can we turn the light back on once dimmed to near darkness? Losing your Spirit can feel like losing yourself. But can you restore your passion and purpose, even later in life? This post is about a conversation with ChatGPT. I know it may cause some eyebrows to rise. But sometimes, talking with someone—even a tool like this—can open your mind and help you ruminate on new ideas. A book by Paulo Coelho, titled The Alchemist, has sold over 320 million copies. Maybe you’ve read it. So, let the conversation unfold. I invite you to come along.…
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Blogging for Baby Boomers and How to Avoid Painful Pitfalls
See Important Update Here. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you use my link to make a purchase. Blogging can be an inspiring way for you, as a Baby Boomer, to share your stories, discover new purpose, and connect with people across the globe. But let’s be honest—it’s not always a gentle ascent. There are plenty of painful pitfalls that can make starting up tricky. This guide will help you avoid common mistakes so you can confidently immerse yourself in blogging and let your stories echo across the globe! Point 1. Maybe you think blogging is a…
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Unleashing a Fearless New Purpose After 60s, 70s, and Beyond
Society often expects us to slow down as we age, but I believe this is the perfect time to embrace a fearless approach to life. It’s time we redefine what it means to age—focusing on living with purpose and embracing new possibilities after 60. Are we preprogrammed to fall in line with our societal and cultural patterns, living a cookie-cutter life: education, employment, retirement, and slowing down? Boom! What about purpose, passion, and possibilities? These patterns certainly influenced me, and I can’t recall being taught in any classroom how to write my own paycheck or create anything that led to self-sufficiency. Growing up was devoid of encouragement in this direction.…
