I turned 65 last January, so I am indeed growing older. I feel more at peace with myself. A few days ago, I realized that in many ways, I have the same personality as I did when I was a teenager, but I feel more sure about myself and more accepting of myself, now that I am older. I value wisdom, which can only be learned through one’s own experience in life. I appreciate ‘slowing down’ as my body just doesn’t have the same energy as it used to. I was always ‘multi-tasking’ when I was raising my children, but now, it’s time to be reflective, to slow down and live with more inner peace and gratitude.

This pandemic and the shut-down has strengthened my capacity to adapt, as we have all had to adapt. Although I am often isolated at home but I know we are all on this journey, so this doesn’t make me feel alone. I have turned inwards for inner strength and have developed a deeper and more profound faith. I am also going through a very difficult family situation. I have become stronger as I go through this challenge on my spiritual journey, this has deepened my spiritual life and compassion.

I am grateful for birds singing, for the spring flowers and grateful for my 3 year old granddaughter, who is too young to know what is going on worldwide. She enjoys playing ball on our apartment patio, bubble baths, and playing with her indoor toys. My husband, myself and my daughter, a single mom are doing our best to protect her and loving care for her. And that’s all this little child is aware of, the loving care of her family. I am grateful that children are not being as affected by this worldwide pandemic and that many adults are doing what we can to protect children.

I can’t vote in the USA because I am a ‘legal alien resident’ and not a US citizen yet, although I have applied for my US Citizenship but it takes many months to go through this process. I can’t vote in the country I was born and raised in, (Canada) because I no longer live there.

What I would like to vote for is: World Peace.

Why do we allow politics and borders divide us? Why don’t we all (7 billion of us) living on this precious planet Earth work together in love and compassion, instead of spending so much energy and money on political campaigns?

We (all of us Earthlings) would have a lot more freedom, if we vote to work together for peace.

I live in a 55+ mobile home community. Last week, at the Women’s Morning Coffee Hour at our clubhouse, I was expressing my frustration with the office manager staff and their lack of communication with the ‘old folks’ in our community.

One of the women told me that companies don’t have to communicate with their customers (or residents), they can do as they please without letting us know what is going on. I was taken back by this comment. In reflection, I really believe that ‘Good companies do have good communications with their customers, clients or residents.’ I would be very interested in reading your book ‘Treat Your Customers.’

But in the meantime, this is a very timely article for me – to embrace the chaos and clarify what is important. I have learned to let things go, and to be grateful for what I do have. Thanks for this article and its wise words.

Not sure how to contact you. What is so frustrating is neither the police nor CPS will issue an Amber Alert to search for my 3 year old daughter because they are not considered missing as my daughter packed their stuff and left. With the drug use, she became more irrational and emotionally unstable. A missing person is someone who disappears without packing and leaving. Even 10 days later, they will not search for my daughter and grand-daughter to make sure they are OK and safe. My daughter turned off her phone, no one can contact her, not even the police nor CPS and yet they won’t search for them, a young woman and a 3 year old girl. This is so scary. – I am praying that someone – heavenly angels and earthly angels – can reach them and bring them back home quickly and safely.

Mary Anne, it seems we have even more in common that you realize. I was born and raised in Canada. Vancouver Island. I met and fell in love with a Texan, yep, a Texan. I know Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors but He didn’t say anything about marrying a neighbor but I did anyways. And I am still happily married to this Texan, who is as crazy as I am. I feel like I live in twilight zone at times, as I am not very patriotic towards any country. But I do have somewhat of a perspective of both borders of the USA. And my concern is world peace and that, throughout the world, all leaders and all people – world peace should be our concern. How do we make this a safe place, safe from corruption and crime, for all people throughout the world? There are easy answers, we just put down our weapons and stop attacking each other – verbally and physically. But easier said than done. The thought that came to my mind is not just to light a candle in my own retreat corner of my house, but to light a candle for others, in other lands and places.