My mother gave me roots which stabilized me and wings which allowed me to go my own way. My father provided generously for my education and for numerous inancial rough patches. Unfortunately to my eternal regret, I failed to properly thank them when they were alive. I like to think I’m doing it now if there is indeed something to the biblical claim of “eternal life”.

Equanimity.

My parents. Both for good and for ill. My joys and my sorrows, my giftedness and my woundedness are rooted in genes and in nurture. The older I get the more I see the power and impact of my now departed dearly loved, always missed parents.

Each and every interconnected, interwoven, wondrously creative, efficient, life enhancing part.

Pause,
Breathe,
Allow the rhythm of the moment to show itself

This a most joyful time of life. At age 71 I am healthy, physically active, and engaged with the world. I have a loving partner, good friends, freedom and resources to travel and learn. I am blessed beyond measure.

Enjoy your life. Do what’s right. Rest often.
PS: Remember we are bodies first. Take care of your body.
PPS: Remember life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts that walk the way with us. Therefore be swift to love and make haste to be kind.

Speaking words of appreciation to one who serves me.

On an interior level, I want to understand the source of my irritability, my need to be right. I want to learn to be more gracious in my primary relationship. In my outer life, I am learning about the brilliant fitness/wellbeing programme called Essentrics. I am always an engaged student of politics in Canada and beyond. These days I am becoming more informed and worried about the vulnerabilities of liberal democracy in the US and the UK.

In retirement my identifying stories – what I like to call my personal narrative – has evolved significantly. Some parts of the story have been revealed as way too limiting, too dry! Some parts have been reclaimed having been lost along the way. Some have been released having been revealed as inauthentic. I permitted others to influence my narrative but less and less as my inner seeing sharpens. My story is mine to make and mine to tell.

I absolutely know that every moment of my one precious life IS a gift. In my seventies now and richly blessed, I am awash in gratitude and – most of the time – joy. Blessed be. Thanks be.

Oh my gosh this is such a good question for me who can be way too quick to speak – especially in my primary relationship with my spouse! I could be slower to respond which could make the space for appreciation to bubble up. Yes!

Your beautifully written wisdom piece brings me home, sets me to ground, waters my soul, reconciles my divisions, resets my sails. Thank you Kristi.

My 71 year old storied face which daily presents an interesting new wrinkle, droop, crevice.

Key word is consistently. Like my other honourable intentions I always begin again.
This Earth Day I recommit to honouring the fragile beauty of the earth by my politics and by my personal choices.

A world where the imbalances of power and wealth are redressed.

Bringing my grateful and cheerful best self to a holiday experience with dear friends.

Linda, I had a similar retirement goal. In my culturally and ethnically diverse city of Vancouver I found ways to do that and been richly rewarded with wonderful new friendships! May it be so for you.

Aww, thanks for saying so GCharlotte.

Happy birthday Carol. Your mention of which birthday reminds me to honour my own good age of 71. I will be pondering your conflation of incarnation with vulnerability as I lean into my seventies. Thank you for contributing.