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Hi, This is Linda Gullo!
I’d like to ask you the question, How well do YOU LIKE YOURSELF AND LOVE LIFE?
Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find of insights and knowledge about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and recognize the gifts you have been given. We all have them and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them.
Please join me here regularly at Mini Miracles. Each episode is based on simple stories. These show stopping podcasts last only about 10 or 15 minutes, but are jam packed with upbeat and encouraging tidbits for you to take along.
It is easy to listen to these podcasts in your car. Just hit the media selection and make sure you follow us on your Podcast feed. When you plan to be in and out of the car running short errands I’ll be there to encourage you. Please subscribe to our feed, Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, and share it with others.
There are so many things I’d like to provide for you. If this is your first time listening to me, you know that this is a treat for me. Podcasting allows me to reach out of the 4 corners of my office where I work as a Counselor and Business Coach. I want to be part of your day as inspiration. I invite you to like yourself and will be offering stories to inspire you.
Today, I’d like to talk about the Gift of Aging. I don’t know how old you are but I think this is a very good topic for all ages. Especially in a culture that wants us all to stay young and beautiful.
When I was in my 20’s, I subscribed to a newspaper called W. It was jam packed with the beautiful people in fashion and hollywood. It made my life look dull and uninviting. As I read it over and over again, I began to see it no real substance for me. The models in it wore clothes that were unconventional and absolutely useless for my lifestyle. I couldn’t wear any of them for grocery shopping or to a n occasional wedding I had to attend. They were fine and showy for these models who did not have to sit in them or walk across the parking lot of church in 6 inch stilettos. I’d read the magazine and go to the fabric shop for material and a pattern. I’d replicate the colors and tried to make sense of my own preferences and body image.
My husband would never wear the outlandish crazy prints or colors the models wore either. They were not comfortable or practical. Although he was dressed in a sports jacket or suit for sales meetings, he was a more conservative dresser.
Well now many decades later, I see the world is still trying to sell us images that don’t fit the average person. We are all valuable people walking around and doing our every day jobs. We have work, children, church and community projects.
Our guys work hard, some of them coach our children’s soccer teams. They serve as volunteers on community projects. They help their neighbors with maintenance projects like cutting up tree branches or painting the back deck. Time, talent, and money limits most of us .
And while it is true, we want to look and feel top notch, we need to be practical and reality based. We use the clothes we have, fix the cars we own, and try to pay our bills.
Our bodies and our minds work together to help us become resourceful and happy people. Aging gracefully simply means accommodating to the changes and temporary limitations we may have due to allergies, minor injuries, or aches and pains. We consume the seasonal allergy medications and forge ahead.
We must remain patient and accepting of these changes for ourselves and those around us. I have seen many young people who have to face arthritis and wrecked knees and those in their 80’s without the need for even an aspirin.
Our world assumes everyone is perfect until a certain age and then they fall apart. It is so unfair and judgmental; it puts limitations on success. It leads us to ignoring a population of valuable contributors, who with little prompting can excel to the very end of life. I often forget my age until I am told, “you shouldn’t do that”. And while I don’t jump up on a ladder to clean my own gutters anymore, I could literally still do that.
Now more than at any time in history, people are viable and renewing their minds on a daily basis. They engage in coaching, yoga, and spiritual practices to pray for others.
For years I was active on boards in our community. This past year, I actually took myself out of these so I could free up time to do other things of importance.
Having age on our side means you actually have wisdom from lived experiences. When I hear people are traveling, I know where they are going not only because I like to read, but also because I have been fortunate to travel to many places and have friends who share they experiences.
My grandmother worked until she was 72 down in the Chicago Loop. She quit because my mother and aunt insisted that traveling by the El alone wasn’t prudent. I think that it took her purpose and self esteem away. She wasn’t connecting with people on a daily basis. Aging is a mind trip. It is important to keep learning and moving, as much as, possible. There is so much to learn. We need to stay connected and engaged to stay competent.
Being a life long learner is always a drawing card for me –and hopefully for you too. Keep learning, keep growing. Relish in the time each week to collect insights by using the power of silence to refresh and renew your mind.
Today I heard on WGN radio that Orion Samuelson was 82. He’s an example of a man who is still an active contributor to the radio station His voice is strong and yours can be too. Obviously he has loved his work and we all can do the same. Find something you are passionate about. Reactivate an old hobby or find a new one. Keep moving and see all the Mini Miracles shower over you.
May you find or become that special mentor for another person.