Last night: Halloween. Doorbells chiming. Ghosts and goblins hanging out on front porches. Lots of candy ready for dropping into orange plastic bags.
I cheerfully instructed each visiting clown, ballerina, scary critter and princess to pick two pieces of candy. Most popular choices: Reese’s Cups and Snickers.
No matter what candy they chose, one thing was for sure: when they bit into their Snickers bar, they expected it to taste like a Snickers bar and when they bit into the chocolate-coated Reece’s Cup, they expected the inside to be filled with peanut butter.
My point: when you consistently make the same choice of candy bar, you will consistently get the same product. Taken even further – when you constantly choose the same reaction to a situation, you will constantly get the same outcome. If you want a different outcome, you need to make a different choice.
As we glide into mid-life and beyond – whether kicking and screaming or serenely and welcoming – we are all confronted with choices and how we choose directly affects the quality of our lives and the degree of insanity we afflict on ourselves. As my son Harry often reminds me: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
And who wants to be insane?
When we are faced with changing the way we have always done something, we can continue to do it the tried and true way and be regularly frustrated. Or, we can look at the situation in a fresh way – as an opportunity to find creative and innovative means to overcome the obstacles or roadblocks in our path.
Your balance is off? Lower your heels.
Your circles under your eyes are deepening? Coupled with searching for products and surgical and non-surgical techniques to puff out those pouches, try darkening and filling in your eyebrows to focus above your lid, not below it. Or, just wear your reading glasses more, as my friend Nancy suggested.
Boobs getting larger and hanging lower? My fashion savvy friend Lynne suggests getting fitted for a new bra annually. Lift those “sisters” not only to look slimmer on top, but so that your blouses and shirts will be more flattering.
Knee buckling when going down your stairs at home? Banish the habit of using both hands to carry laundry and toiletries.Try holding onto the bannister. If that doesn’t work, sling a bag filled with your stuff over your shoulder and walk down those stairs with BOTH hands supporting your body – one on the bannister and one pressing the wall.
Many times we have little control over events and imposed situations. Viewing a challenge or roadblock as an opportunity to grow, expand and improve hones our adaptability quotient. It allows us to cope creatively with new circumstances and limitations. If the way we have always done it doesn’t work, we try a new way.
Just try stuff – don’t box yourself in.
Adapt to changing circumstances fosters a feeling of mastery and a semblance of control – it’s a confidence building tool that will help us navigate uncharted terrain – like the “joys” of aging.
Hmmm – haven’t had a Baby Ruth in a long time. The package of malted milk balls? Looks utterly divine. And can’t wait to try the Three Musketeer bars next.
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
Iris Ruth Pastor