Category Archives: mid-lifer

SOAPBOX of the week: The skinny on stress

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“If worry were an effective weight-loss program,
    women would be invisible.”     – Nancy Drew, detective

This one is for the ladies to comedically commiserate each other with …and the guys to nod and do the eye-roll.  You know I’m right!  BUT it is so true!  We are such worrywarts, us gals…able to cover the gamut of “what-if’s, careful-not-to’s and woulda-shoulda-coulda’s” for a family of four -at least… and indeed we’d wipe ourselves out if each burned off its burden in calories!  So why do we do so, almost without second thought, and often without real reason?  Perhaps in looking past the symptoms, you’ll find the ultimate source of your fears, apprehension and needless lost sleep.  Choose to stare down those instigators or kick ‘em to the curb ….and you’ll gain a healthy wellbeing of calm, cool and collected.”

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: laundry list love

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“You can’t sweep people off their feet, if you can’t be swept off your own.”     – Clarence Day, author
   
Are you still searching for that “love of your life”?  Waiting for your soulmate to show up and totally knock your socks off?!  And have you noticed that as your patience runs shorter, your number of must-haves runs longer?  I’ll bet your laundry list of expectations net an impossible Ken or Barbie…that virtually no one can measure up to.  If so, perhaps, as you’ve been looking with blinders on, countless loves looked-over you in turn –only experiencing you as a particular, judging and fearful person with a clipboard.  Yikes!  I’m not saying lower your expectations- I’m saying raise your curiosity and open your mind to things unfamiliar and off the list!  You might just be “wowed” by the fabulous, exciting new YOU that emerges…that could have crowds swooning!

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: woulda-shoulda-coulda

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“Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.”     – Euripides, playwright

Do they still perk up to haunt you?  Life’s countless regrets. The fashion trend you fell victim to.  Unexplainable hairstyles.  Person you dated.  Speaking your mind!  Quitting your job.   Spending the extra money.  Smoking this or drinking that.  Saying goodbye.  Saying I love you.  How about -that it’s taken forever to figure out what you really want to be when you grow up!  Pardon me, but aren’t you bored yet with the reruns, folks?  Unless you’ve got the power to turn back time, there’s no changing it.  And maybe some of those choices were really lifesavers!  Plus, the weight of grief…along with that weepy pout, ain’t making you any younger, smarter, or delightful to be around.  So dry your eyes and be glad you survived those not-so-fabulous experiences.  You might even come to laugh about ‘em!

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Time is on your side

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“Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.”     – Douglas McArthur, American general 

Crow’s feet.  Laugh lines.  Crinkles.  Frown marks.  Scars of time.  Call them what you will… they’re still wrinkles. And unless you’re willing to sign up for a little, shall we say, “reupholstering” …you’re stuck with ‘em!  Or, perhaps it’s time you entertain a less defeatist and certainly more self-loving perspective:  Consider this view:  You’ve earned ‘em!  They’re the work of Mother Nature and Father Time, etching upon your face and body life’s storyboard of leaps of faith, risk-taking adventures, and determined soul-searching.  And for each experience you’ve embraced and perhaps survived to personal triumph, those markings might just become fabulous daily reminders that you’re really taking life by the horns!  Indeed you’ll still age on the outside, folks, but your inner spirit will remain young and vibrant with each new journey highlight you create.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Patience trumps perception

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“Some people lose sight of the fact that of two evils, it isn’t necessary to choose either.”                  – Anonymous

Ahhh…the lesser of two evils.  Liver and onions or Brussels sprouts. Heartache or loneliness?  How about: a punch in the gut or a bloody nose?  Geez, what a fabulous selection.  Funny though, when confronted with lousy options, we still force ourselves to pick one, thinking: make it quick and move on!  Ugh!  Well, how about choosing neither?  And yes, folks…that is an option!  Because fifty bucks says exercising a little patience will open up space for a better option to show up.  Better still, it creates the opportunity for you to create that which you do want.  Why settle for the liver or the sprouts when chocolate cake is what you really crave.  And folks, Betty Crocker is just around the corner.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Time to speak up

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 “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are you upset with your sweetheart? Unsatisfied with your raise? Bearing physical pain? Worried about something? Suffering from depression or feeling ignored?  Yet you say “I’m fine” and sweep your emotions under the rug.  We’re not dealing with burnt toast, folks!  The experiences and issues that weave the threads of your life together warrant both attention and discussion.  What’s worse…many of you keep silent the good stuff as well.  If you’ve got a brilliant idea; can help out a situation, or love someone with all of your heart…well, SPEAK ON, DEAR FRIEND!  We spend half of our lives biting our tongues when we should speak up and share ourselves!  Chat up your truth –the connection you make will bring solution, satisfaction and peace of mind.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman