Letty Cottin Pogrebin, 67, is best known as the founder of MS Magazine and the author of eight books. Her most recent book is called “Getting Over Getting Older”. Letty counsels women to change age obsession into time obsession, to be more aware of time and to use it mindfully, to expand our consciousness to remember how precious time is, and to use it consciously.
Letty uses the example of how time seems to take on a more spacious quality when we are on vacation. As we savor new food, new experiences, the different culture, and landscape, time seems to slow down and we begin to feel refreshed, renewed and expansive. Have you ever noticed how often people come home from vacation with a new perspective on what is important and clarity about what they are passionate about or what is next in their lives?
One way that you can take the vacation experience of time home with you is to make a list of new experiences you would delight in. Some ideas for new experiences: exploring a new walking trail, viewing a new museum exhibit, soaking in a delicious bubble bath with a new scented oil, writing in a beautiful journal, attending an interesting book event, checking out a brand new café, meeting a new friend for lunch, or seeing that fabulous new independent film you have just read the great review on. Make a plan to do something new from your list each day. It does not matter if you have half a day or half an hour, just begin to incorporate something new or different each day.
Letty reminds us that one of the great challenges at midlife is to find a balance between the comfortably familiar and the excitingly new. She says that the quickest way to age is to disengage. We all need new experiences to make us feel vibrant and alive.
Following Letty’s example, I have chosen three new challenges for this year. I have shifted my coaching practice to support women at midlife by designing a new workshop called “From The Soul To The Soles: Walking Your Life Vision Into Action”. Secondly, I am planning a vacation to some place new each year; this year ten of us rented a villa in St. John in the Virgin Islands - affordable, with fabulously different scenery, wildlife and way of life. Thirdly, I am renewing my meditation practice in a whole new way - my delightful friend Kat and I are designing a group meditation practice that will include a variety of new people and different meditation practices each week.
By choosing to spend a portion of your day on something new and delightful, you might just discover a passion for something that stretches you to grow to expanded limits. You may make new friends, have stimulating thoughts and conversation, and begin to see your life from a broader perspective
What’s on your new and exciting list?
