Chippewa Valley 5ive for Women The Chippewa Valley’s Premier Magazine for Women!
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If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully.
However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present… gratefully.
–Maya Angelou
I share this Maya Angelou quote with my beautiful readers because her words have spilled over me when I have needed them most. Maya was an American poet, civil rights activist, and actor who is recognized as one of the most influential figures in American literature. Maya also experienced abuse and trauma and was able to find and share her voice and wisdom. Years ago, I printed and used this quote as a bookmark. Last week as I was going through old books, I rediscovered this beautiful gift at the perfect time, reminding me exactly what I needed to do.
This 5ive issue is a resolution redo, reedifying resolution meanings. Indulge me as I share with you a few things inspiring and pushing me forward in 2023. What does it mean to be present gratefully? I resolve to allow myself to actually be present. I am learning to be patient with others and, more importantly, myself. (Ok, that may be just part of my DNA; stay tuned.) My feelings and thoughts have always been rushed. I am taking my time grieving, processing, and developing myself. I mean, honesty, ladies, it’s about time. “Midlife: when the universe grabs your shoulders and tells you, ‘I’m not f-ing around. Use the gifts you were given.’” Brené Brown (another lady who has gotten me through some junk). The point is the time is now. I have come to realize we all want to live the best version of ourselves, and how lucky I am to be given this excellent grace to dig deep and do the work to fully embrace my life. I will fill my cup, and it will run over. I will make myself whole. My success is knowing who I am.
It’s early. I am cold, but I am feeling much love and gratitude for practicing being present gratefully. I get to spend my early morning with you. Honestly, so many of you have been courageous enough to email me or come up to me when I am out and about and share your experience with an article or something that inspired you. It is those moments, I hear the whisper that I am on the right track, my beautiful, faithful readers. I am beyond grateful to you for your kind words and benevolent acts. You inspire me to be present gratefully.
I was cooking the other day, thinking about everything I love now, and had this brilliant idea. (If you know where that line comes from, you are my people.) I share with you a few things that are making my world easier, making me smile, or challenging me to improve—helping me look back forgivingly and move forward prayerfully and be present gratefully. Ladies, there is so much going on in my mind, I promise you this list is not in any order.
- Prayer (Perhaps cliché but so true)
- Books and bookstores
- Beautycounter® Sugarbuff Body Scrub (It’s winter in Wisconsin.)
- My fab five
- Impromptu nights out
- Conversations that make me laugh and cry
- Amazing new people who challenge me and allow me to be my authentic self
- A long run (which is not what it used to be, but I am no longer looking back, so I am gratefully present and happy to be out)
- New friendships
- Meditation (I said what I said. Who would have thought? I am telling you, ladies: life-changing.)
- Journaling
- Therapy
- A sisterhood in my friends (the tried and true who have been with me through many seasons and have not left my side)
- The strong ladies I have met this latest season who are powerful, courageous, brave, and inspire me
Ladies, as I begin this new year, I reflect on my life forgivingly and with gratitude. I am so lucky in my life. I will continue to live and practice (and make no mistake, it’s a practice) to be present gratefully; I will strengthen that muscle. When I must look forward, I will do so prayerfully with hope and profound gratitude for all that I have. I tell my fab five you only go around one time. Make it count. I am sharing the same with all of you. This is your life. Make it count.
Godspeed to my forever-running six-pack, two of whom have run their last run. “Fast Fred,” you made me faster, and I smiled whenever I was in earshot of Fleet Feet. You always came out and shared a new training run or speed workout. Barbara, your smile and laugh were infectious; and your ability to pull off beauty and running all at once was a work of art that was not lost on me. You inspired this young mom runner when that was the only thing getting her through. Rest in peace, my beautiful friends.
The journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance.
