60, Sailing Strong and Charting a Fabulous Course
They say exercise is the #1 way to reduce cortisol, the #2 way according to April is to have a dream, swing for the bleachers and live on a sailboat.
Something this morning in strength building class with Shania Twain’s “I feel like a woman” on the speakers took me back to a time in complex trauma therapy. Side note: Does that happen to anyone else? You know it is going to be a great class, your body is in a position to hit all of your most successful moves, your hands are in the air, your bottom is pushed out and you have a profound thought. You know you are making a face, the instructor looks at you kind of funny and you fear that the other ladies might think you have gas. Anyway.
So, this morning while looking into the class mirror my mind was taken back to a group session where our therapist asked us all to look into a mirror and share what we saw. One of the girls started crying. She shared that she saw something ugly, something shameful, something she could not look at. I could totally relate to given that is how I had felt about myself for most of my life. However, this time, all I could see were my parents, all I could see was a loved daughter that was only alive in that room because love had come first before I was my earthly parents’ daughter.
Fast forward to today and years of complex trauma therapy later, I am in a secure place, appreciate my strength, have no regrets, have the confidence to promote myself in a fun way and stumbled upon a contest called Fabulous over 40!
The entry seemed pretty light weight and the prizes sounded fun! So I uploaded a photo and proceeded to tell the world in a minimal amount of characters what made me fabulously over 40. I wanted to keep it so when I am in my 70s I can remember what I said about myself at this season of life. I have heard it say you will believe what you say about yourself and I have a firm belief in the power of words and using them to lift, edify, encourage and cover things in love. Funny enough, that is the name of my personal mantra, mission and this website: https://www.coveritwithlove.com/
Here is what I wrote:
What do you love about being over 40? (max 500 characters)
I am a very contemplative person and appreciate life is fuller with time and wisdom. I can see how I have changed, and I have become more forgiving, thoughtful, grateful, and giving which makes me a better partner, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. I love this time and desire to leave more love than I take wherever I go. I love learning how to be a daughter of Christ by believing and living a life changed through His countless encounters and for people to notice it. I love being over 60!
How do you stay fabulous?(max 500 characters)
By greeting each day with gratitude, thankfulness and by leaving behind a path of handkerchiefs ;-)! For those that know me you know that I pass out handkerchiefs wrapped up in an story that shares why I pass out handkerchiefs to every woman I encounter. My husband calls it my own personal ministry. There is a story online here and an Instagram page here that shares more.
What would you do with the $40,000? (max 500 characters)
Spend a portion outfitting our sailing vessel with upgrades for our upcoming adventure to the Bahamas, stock up on handkerchiefs to give away while we are there, save some for a rainy day and share with someone close to me that is having a challenging time meeting their household needs.
I am so thankful to the friends and family that have shown their love and support by voting for me. Someone asked me the other day if I won. No, not yet.
I am in the Top 15 though for my group thanks to my voters! According to the rules there will be a few more slices (Top 10, Top 5) that will advance to the semifinals (December 6th – 12th) with the winner sometime before Christmas! No matter what I have enjoyed the process and like Shania’s song goes, coloring my hair again (different story) the prerogative to have a little fun when “when life seems so complicated”
Isn’t that what we all want in the end? To be seen, to be heard, to feel like we have value? Like the song by Kind Music See Me I’m Here “together we are royalty, healing is community”.
However, you plan to have fun this holiday season, remember you are love, you are seen, you are important and remember to get out and vote!
https://votefab40.com/2024/april-healy any donations help with Breast Cancer Research
Like the song “See Me I'M Here” wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could get songs about lifting others up would go viral?
“Sea” you soon and covering you in love, starfish wishes and mermaid kisses!
Comments