Walk It Off - April 14th, 2016

I have to say that I must agree with walking being one of the best remedies!  Besides being a good stress relief and great for your health, it is good for the soul!   My doctor says it is also rather meditative.   I was so happy when the good weather was finally back upon us, I know you can walk in any weather but this winter was so gloomy that when finally a nice day appeared a walk was so absolutely wonderful!  On the 14th of April, 2016, my dog Nikki and I ventured out to the beautiful walking trails of St Marys.  The sun, the warmth and the motion was healing.  Did I mention the sun???  Such a wet and dreary winter finally broke!  I also realized I was in better shape than I expected and then the next few days in a bit worse shape than expected!  Basically over all it was not too bad for being Almost Fifty.  Both Nikki and I were in need of some cardio and shed that extra winter weight.  But that really had nothing to do with the walking.  I was walking off my built up anxiety and winter blues.  Anything that ailed me could not keep up with me on my walks.  The fresh air was just amazing and the water with the sun glistening on it like diamonds was magical.   Being high above the water looking over the park and the town is so beautiful, bringing appreciation to the history and architecture of this town.  Someone had amazing vision.  The work that went into the trestle for pedestrians, well all I can say is this town was certainly meant for walking.  Beautiful, scenic walking.  And then there is my music… my play list on my Iphone and my over sized headphones!  Made cool again by the teenagers, however I’m not sure if I fall into the “cool” category or “old school”.  Regardless I don’t care, I put them on for shoveling in the winter, as they motivated me with my “shoveling music list” , and also kept my ears nice and warm!  On my walks my headphones simply block out the world.  It felt wonderful to walk alone and feel solitude, even though the busy world rushed around me.  There is always someone walking in this town! The walking town!! And nothing mattered as my music blared while I stayed calm and walked the dog.  I finally understood why people run. (which I envy, but won't attempt!)  and all of the other walkers and roamers and strollers.  It’s a whole other world which I had only seen glimpses of and for some reason this spring I felt as if I’d seen this whole other dimension.  Walking may not solve my problems, it may not change the things I have no control over, but it sure helps me feel better inside and out.  It is a welcome new friend, along with all of its nature and temperatures.  Sometimes when life builds up, it is just a great way to make a move, to find a path, to focus on something different, and to do something that will make your body sing.  I do refrain from dancing, however with some of my songs on my walking list… it’s all I can do to not groove on down the road!  And as much as I often wonder if I am headed in the right direction in life, I know this is my path, simply because, I am on it!  And walking on this path makes me feel good and happy... yep the direction is all good!

Post Script:
I love taking photos and here are some that I have taken of the awesome views on my path, and also I have been taking a selfie to send to Jesse (the 2nd son) as he inspired me to get up and move, and told me there is great things to see in all different types of weather, and so I send along a pic of me and the Nikki, to show we are still going and still moving forward!   Also Check out my video:  Maybe I'm Already There!

      

In The Beginning...

Well I decided to take my writing to a new medium, so I have found myself a place to blog.  I have been writing as long as I can remember and it is truly one of my life's passions.

I decided that this was the perfect time to start writing a blog as I find myself a year and a bit away from Fifty.   I wanted to find a way to embrace my age rather than continuously apologizing for it.  (not that I really ever do apologize for it)  But it seems the world wants you to worry about how young you look, and be afraid or ashamed to tell you your age.  To buy every product to fix the fact you are aging, to fix your pictures to make you look younger and with people going as far as surgery to fix the inevitable.  Maybe this aging thing is something we should possibly even consider feeling good about? Honestly I never really understood this craze and I think the whole world has gone a bit mad, keeping us from accepting ourselves and enjoying reality.  I had zero control over when my parents decided to conjure me up, I have zero control over my genetic make up, and I have zero control over how time moves by at an uncanny speed!

What I do have control over is how I decide to view myself and the world around me. I can accept all parts of myself and continuously strive to make peace with all aspects of my life.  I think anyone who expresses they have a perfect life is full of crap.  Life can be great, but in times of great growth and contrast and loss, well... it is just sometimes messy, and that is ok.  And from 40 to 50, well what a ride it has been.   You can live your life however you wish, you can live it by accident or in fear.  My life I wish to live as fully as possible and with as few regrets as possible and it is always a work in progress.

I have found filling my life with positive people and thoughts has been my best choice so far.  Daring to dream and getting out of the way of all the good things, big and small that come into my life.  New friends, old friends, family and loved ones, like the seasons they come and go, some are more intense, some are more memorable than others, some completely uneventful and always ever changing.

The Time Is Now ...  for awhile I've been telling people I'm almost 50,  Some cringe (which I don't quite understand) some people think I'm young and ironically most of the young people in my life seem not to care, (with exception of one 6yr old who was so blown away that I was 42years older than her, and also just as shocked that my oldest son was 23, which she could barely fathom.  I didn't feel so bad when she asked another music student closer to my age if he was the same age as her...  I knew at that point a she was still shy of that really good understanding of age! :)

It is time for me to move into a new way, in a new direction and to pick a new path.  To chill out and Allow life to breath.  This ride will be over before we know it and today is all anyone really has.   FUN is the best three letter word you can find and comes in different forms for everyone!  Finding your Fun should be a priority at every age and not forgotten as we get older, maybe it should become even more important?.   

I love my work, teaching music to kids and people of all ages,  I love performing music, I love writing in all forms and I love being around people.  I love my life as crazy as it often looks to those who are around me and as busy or messy as it may get.  I love my 4 sons, they have always been at the top of my life's list and the biggest and best part of my world and as nutty and busy as it was raising them it has been fascinating to watch them grow and make their own worlds and to watch their lives unfold.  

Adventure... I Love Adventure... I always say you can never have too much adventure in your life which has been something I may have in some ways let go by the wayside over the past few years, however, even close to home my life always finds a way to be an adventure...  and then there is sleeping!  Life's perfect way to reboot, refresh and restart each morning.  I have discovered this as one of life's greatest tools.  No matter how good or bad the day was, a good sleep can fix it all!

So This is my blog, at Almost Fifty, I can't wait to begin and take you on some of the Fun Adventures, to share my thoughts and reflections and bring you my favourite places, introduce you to some of my favourite people and things! (things: to be determined!)  Life is what you make it... so why not make it a great life, look forward and enjoy, roll with the punches and breath.  Help your friends when they need it and let them help you when you are in need.  So much to do and so little a time!   You are the Captain of your Ship... So Sail On!! 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                      Steph