The 100 Years Club Installment #99: A Week of Clarity

What a wild 7 days!

The elections…a business trip to Chicago with amazing professionals…a new podcast episode…the first draft of my personal brand website…helping an intern with his resume…new apartment tours….a sneak peek of what my teeth could look like post-Invisalign…weight lifting, and cardio…Larry David live on stage with his fellow Curb crew….

In short, it was a packed week of emotions, decision-making, connections, helping and inspiring others, self-care, and new adventures.

And, if that list of activities exhausts you, rest assured that the next 24 will be filled with some sloth, food, reading, and mindless TV.

Now for the clarity.

I am especially grateful this month that I refuse to view myself as “old.” I continue to pack my life and time with those things that bring me joy and eliminate people, things, and activities from my life that bring me down.

Am I worried about the future for me, my daughters, and my granddaughters? Hell yeah! But I can only control certain things in life and must act accordingly. I’ve lived through lots of change and disappointment over the past 68 years, and I can handle another four. I’m a fighter and a survivor.

This past week reinforced those things I love (other than true friends and family).

1. My work (and the lifestyle it allows me) brings me joy. I do not want to retire. I want to be considered for the same jobs as 28-year-olds. I am working hard to change perceptions of aging, via social media and my podcasts. For the first time in my career, I chaired a conference and discovered a new passion (along with writing). Bringing smart people together to share what they know was one of the best projects I’ve ever worked on! (Thank you, Bill Dinan!)
2. Creativity relaxes me. Whether I’m writing, crafting some weird new stuff in Canva or using AI to make what’s in my head come alive, or knitting and baking. Using that part of my brain (and my hands) is always a treat.
3. Travel delights me. New places, new people, and new experiences enhance my worldview.

BTW…I love to prompt AI to create bizarro images like, “Woman knitting, traveling, and baking.” Tech can be silly, not scary!

Knowing what gives you true happiness is so important to remaining positive and active, and I encourage all of you to come up with your own short (or long) list of joy and how you can bring more of it into your life.

Don’t feel selfish doing it. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t possibly take care of others.

In keeping with November’s theme, be grateful for what you DO have and the people who support and delight you.

Many people tend to focus on the things that bring them down. That’s important, too, because you shouldn’t dwell on them but rather learn how to avoid or compartmentalize them. And, rather than dwelling on an unpleasant person or situation, ask yourself, “What baby steps can I take to make this better?”

Watch this space next week for my perspective on who should be at your “feast table” this month and throughout your life!

The first 10 gratitudes of November!