What She Said. . .
Allison, the birthday boomer, asked us to dream.
Dotsie asked us to consider the top ten trends among Boomers: Working longer * Re-invention * Maintaining Youthfulness * Health Management * Righting Relationships * Traveling * Going Green * Working and Playing Online * Getting Organized * Volunteering.
That’s what she said — these Boomer Girls with their reflective posts that make us think and question where we are right now, and where we want to be.
Yesterday my twins, Ryan and Melissa, turned 25. Nothing like having your kids turn a quarter of a century to make you stop and reflect. Allison and Dotsie hit it on the head. I’m in the Boomer years and I’m looking just over the hill (no pun intended) and seeing the next half of my life (if I live to 96). What are my dreams and how do they tie in with the Top Ten Boomer Trends?
Working Longer & Getting Organized & Reinvention
I’m taking definitive steps toward my ministry and career. My new business cards arrived yesterday. My one-sheet (a sheet speakers use to share their message, their ministry, and what they may bring to an event) was just finished. I’ll load it up on my website (which was just redesigned one month ago) later this month. Why all the effort? Because I don’t want to work longer, I want to work smarter. It was painful to realize that very few people understood why I do what I do and what my passion in ministry was about. No one’s fault but my own. I was aimlessly working in ten different directions, working hard and long, but not necessarily in a way that was best or reflected my true passions.
Health Management
& Maintaining Youthfulness
I eat healthy, but that’s because I naturally like healthy foods, but I still have gained back the 10 pounds I lost last summer. The picture at the end of this post is 10 pounds lighter Suz. I want to find her again. I’m riding my bike each morning. I’ll get back in the pool this fall at the university. I walk in the evenings. I’m rafting. I am taking breaks. It’s not going to be about the 10 pounds, but the long-term health benefits. But I also look in the mirror and see the changes. I just started wearing my variable contacts (a fancy smanshy word for bifocal). I had pictures taken the other day with 10 twentysomethings and the difference in our ages was striking. I was soaking wet and hiding in my coverup. They were beautiful in their bikinis. I don’t want to go back to my twenties. I love 48! But I want to be the best 48 that I can be.
Righting Relationships
When my mom got sick this past spring, suddenly I realized how much she meant to me. I knew it before, but time became an issue. Somehow I had assumed I would always have her, and great chunks of time went by without spending time with her. Part of that was out of my control. She lives in Canada for half a year. But the other was due to busyness. I take time now. It’s a priority.
Traveling
I’m speaking more and I love that. But for the first time I’m building in an extra day, even a half an afternoon so that I can actually enjoy the places I visit. Last month I spoke at She Speaks, a wonderful conference for women who desire to write and/or speak, but I also took two days to go to the beach and visit uptown Charlotte.
Working and Playing Online
I have three blogs, e-mail, games like Spider Solitaire. Both a blessing and a curse. I work online because that is how I connect with editors, publishers, media, friends, family, and readers. But I also let this one element dominate much more time than it should. This is an area where the Boss and I have a good talk once in a while. I’m due again.
Volunteering
A growing passion. I volunteer as a women of vision community mentor, working with freshmen girls in four area high schools. My next teen fiction series will actively connect with teens who want to change their corner of the world. I have a heart to mentor writers and have a few young writers under my wing, and I love it.
What about you? Maybe these Boomer girls made you stop and think as well. Maybe you’re working the areas I’m not, like going green (sorry!).
Does it look different to you at this stage of life? Are you making changes?
Hey, have I mentioned that I love talking to my bloggy BBR friends?
I appreciate you, Suz
Posted: July 11th, 2008 under Career, Fashion, Health.
Comments: 18
Comments
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 11, 2008, 7:33 am
I do fit right in. I love hanging out with teens, can you tell? But I’ve gained 10 pounds since that pic (taken last July) and it’s time to work it off for long-term health. I want to be a healthy 80-year-old one day!
Comment from Flea
Time: July 12, 2008, 5:58 am
I couldn’t see the last picture. 
Suzie, you have so much energy! You’ll be a very healthy 80 year old. I love your focus and determination.
Comment from Karen Power
Time: July 12, 2008, 7:44 am
Suze, thanks for taking Dotsie’s article and going step-by-step applying it to real life.
The one on “maintaining youthfulness” — I get to start something on Monday that will allow me to be around more college age people. I mentioned to my mom last night that this would be fun and that I don’t think I come off as “old” (only 48 yrs old). She agreed that I don’t seem that age. A great compliment from my mother!
I’ve lost 10 pounds this summer…you must have found it! Please don’t send it back to TX 
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 12, 2008, 8:20 am
Hey Karen,
Expect a package any day. : )
I totally believe that age is a mindset - and also how you perceive the normal aspects of getting to live and enjoy many years. Every year is a good one, for me. As a breast cancer survivor, I’m going to celebrate the things I can’t help, like wrinkles and grey hairs, but I’m going to fight like a wildcat against the things that I can — like the old L B’s.
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 12, 2008, 8:22 am
Flea, it’s the last picture under “volunteering” - a pic of me with another speaker to teens, and a group of teens I met in the hallway of the conference center. : )
Comment from Tracy
Time: July 12, 2008, 8:51 am
Suzie - you project Connie’s motto - Living Life Passionately! I loved Dotsie’s list and your list just inspires me to work it out for myself.
Do you mind sharing more about your new variable contacts? My eye exam is next month, and I might just check into them!
Comment from Flea
Time: July 13, 2008, 1:40 am
I see it now, thanks. For some reason it and the canoe picture just didn’t show up last time I read this post. Very cool.
Do you like the contacts? I wear bitorics now for my severe astigmatism. I’m told I could wear the variables, but I’m not that brave yet.
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 13, 2008, 5:15 am
I do like the variables. It takes a little bit of adjustment as my brain didn’t know how well I was seeing at first. I went in for the first exam (one week later) and I aced all the tests — 20/20, but I didn’t feel like I was seeing 20/20. My eye doctor said, “Suzie, you’r brain will catch on. Let’s give it one more week.” It’s working. : )
Comment from Karen L. Alaniz
Time: July 14, 2008, 9:59 am
Spend time with your parents-it’s so true. Time passes and we all have the idea that there will always be more time “when.” I’d spend more time with my family “if only.” What would you do if you knew today was their last day? That’s the way to spend today. ~Karen
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 14, 2008, 11:13 am
Thanks, Karen. I agree. I feel pulled sometimes, but I am just having to make it priority. I invited my mom down for the weekend, and she was so excited. But she also is worried about driving here (about an hour drive), so I don’t know if it will happen. The weather has to be perfect, and the time has to be when fewer cars are on the drive. I even worry about asking her to step out of her comfort zone to drive here. She’s not elderly. She just got out of the habit of driving further than the grocery store or church. More complications, but I want to work through them even if that means going to her every time.
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: July 14, 2008, 2:22 pm
Traveling is big for me–that’s where I’ve been the past week, traveling through Yellowstone. With my kids and parents, who thankfully are part of that “maintaining youthfulness” trend even tho they are not Boomers (they’re 68 and 69). they had no trouble keeping up with us on a six mile hike up and down hills. I love travel and often travel alone for work. but I’m suddenly aware that my kids will only be at home for a few more years and I want to travel with them while they’re still willing to do that. I’ll post more about it on Thursday!
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 14, 2008, 3:51 pm
Keri, My mom and your parents are close to the same age. She’s a young 70, that’s why this scare was so unexpected. My dad is 74, but can walk a brisk 3 to 5 mile walk and likes to climb trees and watch for bears in chilly Canada. Mom’s illness brought a new element to my life — suddenly realizing that things can change quickly, but that’s true of any of our relationships. Your trip sounds wonderful. I love Yellowstone. We missed your voice last week, but you are excused since you were watching Old Faithful. : )
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: July 14, 2008, 7:26 pm
Suz
I wrote a post, and tried to set it up to publish while i was gone, but it didn’t work. sigh. that type of advanced blogging is apparently beyond my limited capacity.
Old Faithful is cool but too commercial for my blood. I liked the less crowded spaces –which have cool geysers, among many other things.
check out my facebook page for some fab photos!
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 15, 2008, 5:08 am
Keri, You have to publish it, rather than just save it. That will make it appear on the day you choose.
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: July 15, 2008, 5:26 pm
oh. that makes sense. I was afraid if I hit “publish” it would show up right away.
thanks for the tip!
are you at ICRS?
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 15, 2008, 6:45 pm
I wish I were at ICRS. It’s my first year in eight not to go. But I feel at peace about it. Next year I definitely plan to go. I bet Miss Allison is there, as well as Eva since it’s in her “neck of the woods”. : )
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: July 16, 2008, 1:18 pm
Suz, same with me, my first year in 8 that I stayed home. the last two years I had to pay my own way (or part of it) so I decided I’d rather spend the money on taking my kids to Yellowstone. I have no regrets about that decision! and I don’t have a book releasing until January, and I don’t have a project I’m pitching right now, so it didn’t make much sense. It feels good to be here at home this week.
back to Home
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 11, 2008, 6:56 am
Oh Suz, thanks so much for following up. I pray the contemplation was worth your while.
Now come on, it that bottom picture with all the youth - you fit right in!