Barbara L. Cummings

Barbara L. Cummings Barbara L Cummings, MS, RN, the Mindful Maven, is a sassy Queen-ager, mentor, confidante and trusted guide who provides people with everyday life support.

If not now ...? I am going to be there, every step of the way, right beside you and behind you. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. I was born with a joie de vivre. However, my life wasn’t always full of manicures and martinis. I’ve weathered some of the worst challenges like divorce, career changes, and rocky relationships all around. I've gained experience and wisdom and I'm here to p

ass it on, with love. I'm a mentor, meditator and mindfulness trainer. Change your mind - Change your life. I'm a Travel Whisperer, Free Thinker, Rule Bender, Seeker of Fun. Who are you?! Who do you want to be??

05/07/2026

Adventure Is Worthwhile

A big, Spring hello, dear Reader! I have been enjoying my neighborhood walks more than ever with all the blooms popping every day. It's my favorite season in New England. Check out my recent Instagram posts.

The title of today's post is a quote from Aristotle and it relates to my love of travel. Before the world shut down in 2020, I would often take two or three trips a year. Flights between Boston and Europe were especially convenient. One year, I convinced myself that since I was already on the west coast in Oregon I was closer to Australia (!). Crossing the Pacific Ocean was quite a bit longer than a hop across "the Pond" as we used to call the flights from the northeast to London. The sixteen hour flight was totally worth it!

Often, I chose to fly on Icelandair since the flights were affordable and it was a lovely airline. Since all flights to Europe first stopped in Reykjavik they always offered me the chance to take a few days to explore the island, at no extra airfare cost, before continuing on to wherever I was ultimately landing. I never took them up on it for various reasons, usually time constraints.

Last year, after five years of no international travel, I had a vacation in St. Maarten. It was lovely and it re-awakened my desire to explore. This longing grew and grew until I felt like I had to plan a trip and last week's journey to Iceland was created.

The trip almost designed itself. I've often encouraged others to take all the small steps that eventually lead to something you want. A dream or a yearning can seem overwhelming until you take the first small step. Once I decided that Iceland was my destination, it all began to unfold.

I often, even usually, travel solo. This time I mentioned it to a colleague who quickly said she was on board. I had never travelled with her before and it worked out beautifully (you never know how that will pan out 😬). She was a great companion and solved the problem of solo travel add-ons. From start to finish, the adventure went above and beyond any expectations.

Iceland is a volcanic island sitting on the diverging tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia. It's often referred to as the "land of fire and ice" because of its glaciers, geysers, hot springs, and ... volcanoes. A fair amount of the interior of the country is uninhabitable and over 60% of the country's 390,000+ population lives in and around the capital of Reykjavik. That doesn't mean there isn't much to see or do. We packed in five days of fascinating exploration.

The first day, after flying all night, we headed out on a walking food and general information tour of Reykjavik. From the minute we touched down, the adventure began. I once read a quote from the fantasy author Ray Bradbury: "Stuff your eyes with wonder ... See the world ... It's more fantastic than any dream ..." Iceland did not disappoint.

Over the next four days we were offered the opportunity of taking in thundering waterfalls, gorgeous craters, black sand beaches, adorable horses (known as the Fabios of the equestrian world for their flowing manes), stunning glaciers, and lichen covered volcanic fields. Our tour guides, without exception, were charming, funny, kind, and a wealth of fascinating facts. Yes, tourism does play a big part in Iceland's existence and therefore is an important part of their identity, however not once did it feel like anyone's hospitality was forced or phony. Here are some highlights and don't forget to check out the attached photo album:

- While I'm not a big fan of American hot dogs, I was strongly encouraged to try Iceland's famous hot dog. It's made with lamb and covered with ketchup made from apples, crispy and raw onions, mustard, and remoulade. It was delish!
- Puffins are adorable, small birds that come to islands just off the coast of Reykjavik after eight months of living at sea to nest from late April through August. They beat their wings around 400 times a minute (their bones aren't hollow and so they are heavier than many birds) which helps to identify them. They mate for life and their bills become very colorful in the spring.
- Earthquakes are constant, although usually of such low magnitude they are hardly perceptible.
- All top leadership positions are currently held by women 😁 and Icelanders take great pride in this. There is a palpable level of tolerance, acceptance, and compassion throughout which was a welcome respite from the current political climate here in the U.S. My nervous system relaxed and healed a little during the trip.
- The Blue Lagoon -- this is a geothermal spa found nowhere else on earth rich in silica, algae, and minerals. The water is milky blue and you are given a mud mask to treat your skin while soaking in its incredible, healing warmth.
- Much of Game of Thrones was filmed in Iceland -- the perfect backdrop!

As you can guess, I highly recommend visiting this captivating destination. I often say that I am motivated by my awareness of not knowing what I don't know. This is what drives me to travel and explore. I always come back with new thoughts, ideas, and awareness. I am so looking forward to the next adventure and I highly recommend finding your own.

To see all of the pictures from my adventure in Iceland, click on this link, https://tinyurl.com/4y2hfpmu.

Hello again, dear Reader!I’m heading across the Atlantic tonight and didn’t get a chance to write this week. Please enjo...
04/23/2026

Hello again, dear Reader!

I’m heading across the Atlantic tonight and didn’t get a chance to write this week. Please enjoy a repeat of one of my posts from exactly a decade ago (April 25, 2016).
I’ll fill you in on my trip in a couple of weeks!

My Thoughts on Others' Wisdom

"It's better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction."
- Diane Grant

"Every single time!"
- BLC

Here is the link to my blog where you can find all of my posts, https://tinyurl.com/4t7xx9hm.

See you soon!

04/09/2026

Compare and Despair or Repair?!

Welcome to April, dear Reader! It's still quite chilly here in New England, however a few hearty little flowers are bravely starting to bloom. It's such a lovely time of year here, even if the weather still keeps us guessing.

At least once, quite a while ago, and maybe more, I've written about the danger in always comparing oneself to others. Social media has turned it into a blood sport with seemingly no good outcomes. According to research, 60% or more young people struggle with body image issues, anxiety, and a false sense of inadequacy based on an unrealistic promotion of beauty and lifestyle standards. I can't even imagine what it's like being a teenager these days with the prevalent influence of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Another perk of being a senior citizen though, is seeing through the BS and looking for another way to respond.

In this new age of AI, it's hard to distinguish between what's real and what's absurd. It's also wonderful to celebrate others' accomplishments. My sense of what's happening on social media is that there's a belief that there's only a limited amount of good fortune out there. If someone else has some great stuff going on, there mustn't be enough left for me. And one more part of this big ball of confusion -- we're letting someone else tell us what we should like, accept, dislike, and reject. It reminds me of a beautiful quote from Jim Rohn, an American business philosopher:

"If you don't design your own life plan,
chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan.
And guess what they have planned for you?
Not much."

About a month ago I had someone comment on my energy level that they thought was high "for my age". They asked what my secret was and made a comment about doing something to improve their own vitality and using me for inspiration. What an honor to be regarded as a good example and how exciting for them to think that what I "had" was attainable.

My point is, we have the option to always compare ourselves to others with the expectation of coming up short. OR, we can observe, perhaps admire, assess our own situation with regard to another's, and consider doing something about improving ourselves, all within reason. Noticing someone else does not have to mean sizing ourselves up against them. It can simply be noticing. An observation is not necessarily an invitation to compare and if we do find ourselves comparing, it definitely doesn't have to end in despair. Perhaps it's a gentle nudge to do a little repair, not to be just like someone else, but to be a slightly improved version of ourself. Go for it!

Here is the link to this post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/mhuew8zm

03/26/2026

For Good
Greetings, dear Reader! I'm going to start this week by saying that I've been remiss. Occasionally, I will encourage you to respond to whatever I've written in a particular week. Whenever anyone replies, I am over the moon. I love connecting with you. From now on, I want you to know that even if I don't send out a formal invitation, please feel free to respond in whatever way moves you. I would truly love to hear from you.

A couple of posts ago, I wrote a little bit about becoming more available. For me, with age comes reflection and introspection. There is a lot of pain associated with my being unavailable at different times in my younger years, and so unaware of its impact or even that I was being unavailable.

Recently, during some more soul searching, I asked my inner self what word or words did I want to use to describe myself and my life, especially now. The word relevant came up pretty quickly. Merriam-Webster says that relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. OK, I like that. An expanded definition goes on to say it may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to a situation or occasion. Pertinent is listed as a synonym.

All of the above describe what I am looking for and devoting myself to becoming or continuing. In my pursuit of being relevant I had the most wonderful experience a couple of weeks ago.

When I was living in the suburbs with three small children, I volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels". I was happy to do it, although I quickly realized that a lot of the recipients weren't as interested in the food as they were in the appearance of a friendly person on their doorstep. I was pleasant when I dropped off their meals, however, I wish I had taken more time to chat a bit with them. That's what they really wanted. I was also a member of a church that brought home-cooked lasagna to a women's shelter in Boston once a month. This population was in more need of actual sustenance and it opened my eyes as to how many people didn't/don't always know where their next meal was coming from. And this was not happening far from where I lived. One of the things about Tony Robbins, the author and motivational speaker and coach, that appealed to me the most was the formation of his Foundation. A couple of the key programs within it are initiatives to distribute food and household items to families in need and they partner with Feeding America.

When I was invited to join a group of nurses from the hospital where I work to spend an afternoon volunteering at The Greater Boston Food Bank, I jumped at the chance! The GBFB is part of Feeding America, a US-based, non-profit organization that has a network of over 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people. The statistics are all on their website (www.gbfb.org), but let me share just a few of these staggering numbers with you:

- GBFB distributes approximately 90 million meals a year. The network includes 600 partner food pantries, meal programs, and direct distribution sites for 190 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts.

- One in three people experience food insecurity which has a huge impact on health-related costs.

- The food is acquired through industry donations and financial contributions. By operating in an incredibly efficient manner, GBFB is able to provide two meals for $3.

I could go on and on, but let me tell you more of the history. Kip Tiernan is one Boston woman who made herself extremely relevant and was available for her community. She was born in 1926 in Connecticut and moved to Boston when she was 21 to study at the New England Conservatory. Having been brought up during the depression, she remembered her mother and grandmother providing food and clothing to unemployed men. Her early history included getting sober in AA meetings where she found community with homeless people in recovery. Instead of music, she became very involved in civil rights work. In 1974 she learned of a great need for services and shelters for women. The city's shelters were only available to men. She created Rosie's Place, solely for unhoused women and also started distributing food from her station wagon. This was the beginning of The Greater Boston Food Bank.

Our three hour shift started with a few statistics about the organization and a little bit of a pep talk. It felt like we were all eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work. There were probably 30 or 40 of us and within minutes we found ourselves on an assembly line, filling individual boxes with various food items. Some of us were on one side, constantly replenishing the cans, cartons, bottles, and bags that needed to go in the boxes while others were doing the actual packing. It was extremely well organized and things moved quickly. During COVID, the Bank realized that there was a need for supplies to be delivered directly to people's doorsteps and that has continued ever since.

There was a lot of heavy lifting and scuttling back and forth. We all had to keep an eye on the big picture and help each other out if someone needed assistance in replenishing a particular station. Even though we were addressing a need that feels like it "shouldn't" exist, the atmosphere wasn't sad or depressing. It felt good to be there.

This is not the only place where I intend to volunteer my time and presence. I'll be attending a luncheon this week at the Women's Lunch Place. This is another organization, founded in 1983, to meet the needs of women in crisis. They believe that Dignity is Everything. Human kindness is also a key factor in these two operations.

When I first started meditating, my teachers all emphasized the idea of taking in what was good and helpful and then, letting it flow back out to help someone else. Hands open instead of a closed fist. If we get something and only hold onto it tightly without sharing, whether it's information, knowledge, or even money, it will stop and possibly die with us. It also shuts us off from taking in even more. I want to open my arms, my heart, and my soul, especially as we try to make sense of our current political challenges. How can you feel available and relevant?

Read this post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/yr8xvxf2.

03/12/2026

Phoneless in NYC
Oh, Happy, Warm, Day, dear Reader! Our New England weather has had a typical change over the last week. From snow showers and freezing temps to almost 80 degrees and lots of melting of the five foot snowbanks. Spring really must be around the corner.

In celebration of the sunshine and blue skies, I spent the day in New York City this past Tuesday. I was staying with dear, long-time friends just 30 minutes outside the city. We were on our way and about halfway to our destination when I realized I didn't have my phone. Even though my friend was perfectly willing, and I suspect probably assumed we would have to turn around, I said, "No, let's keep going!". I almost immediately felt a sense of relief.

It was wonderful strolling up and down the avenues and side streets. We stopped at a cafe with a few outdoor tables and watched people as we sipped coffee. It was noteworthy how many people had their phones in hand, ready for the next text, call, or alert.

At one point I felt moved to go inside St Patrick's Cathedral. I hadn't been in a while and I loved looking up and around at all the beauty. There's actually a one-stall bathroom at the rear of the church near the chapel end. As I stood in line, I noticed a young man behind me with his eyes glued to his phone. I was awestruck by the art around me and I wanted to ask him if he was even aware of any of it.

I've been having fun lately with the issue of acting one's age. You've probably seen the T-shirt:
"I don't know how to act my age. I've never been this old before."

Aside from not knowing what's "expected" of me and also not giving a damn, at times I'm grateful and maybe even thrilled to be approaching the 3/4 of a century mark. I appreciate not growing up with a lot of electronics and cell phones. I liked not being potentially available to everyone all the time. I didn't know it back then, however, I'm now aware how stressful it is to feel like I'm supposed to always be accessible.

Don't get me wrong. I like my iPhone. It definitely serves many purposes. I like getting directions from it. I like talking on it when I need to connect with someone, although I'm not particularly fond of how much more texting there is between us all sometimes. The sound of someone's voice is often music to my ears. I like listening to my playlists at the gym and podcasts on my walks.

I like taking pictures with my phone. I missed not snapping several shots while I was out in the Big Apple. I did have my friend take a picture of the Louis Vuitton building on Fifth Avenue and send it to me -- another benefit!

Just a few days ago a new study came out. In states where there are no cell phone restrictions in schools, students are spending a third of their day on their phones. Other research has concluded that cell phones are affecting long-term learning retention. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has reported that while cell phones can be essential tools for accessing information, they also are linked to anxiety and depression as well as a disruption in personal interactions. This is leading to poor quality conversations and reduced emotional empathy related to less face-to-face practice. Is it any wonder there is a remarkable lack of compassion felt among many of us?!?

The bottom line for me is that I like having control over my phone. I don't ever want to feel like it's controlling me. Try going out without it. It might feel strange at first. If you notice a moment of panic, breathe through it and take that as a sign that you could use a little, quiet space from this device.

If you'd like to read this post on my blog, here is the link, https://tinyurl.com/3bbuwt86

02/26/2026

Availability

A snowy Hello, dear Reader! You've probably noticed that I've adopted the warm greeting from the Bridgerton romance drama series on Netflix produced by Shonda Rhimes. I love hearing the narrator say, "Dear Reader ..." and I imagine talking with you in a British accent, but only in the salutation, lol. Just a little insight into the machinations of my sometimes quirky brain!

So, back to the snow ... we were hit again here in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Monday morning I woke up to a near white-out that lasted for most of the day. The difference between this blizzard and the one from the month before is that all this snow seems to be melting a little faster. Surely spring will really arrive in about four weeks as "scheduled"?!? Fingers crossed.

All this inclement weather has created even more time than usual for self-reflection. Winter is considered a time for slowing down, staying indoors more, a dark time beneficial for planting seeds whether literally or figuratively. Some people dread this season while others embrace it for its valuable opportunity to reevaluate and consider change if necessary.

I've noticed how much more introspective I've become not only this snowy winter, but also during this phase of my life related to age. Spring is often related to birth or re-birth and beginnings while at the other end, Winter can be associated with deep sleep, endings, or death. My passing years have nurtured a natural reflection on my life and recently I've had the chance to dive into a review of some of who and where I've been within my life and its meaning.

A spurt of awareness landed on me this week during a Zoom session with a spiritual advisor/friend while doing some "work" around the Chinese New Year, the year of the Fire Horse. Without "blaming" anyone, I realized I became very defensive as a young child and held onto that well into my adulthood. I've been unravelling it for many years and it astounds me that I am still evolving and releasing that which does not serve me. I'm also incredibly grateful to be open to this continuing unfolding and I'm reminded of something I heard (it might even be the title of a book?) that really stuck with me -- Gratitude is glitter for the soul. Of course this caught my attention like anything that sparkles and shines.

But back to my "wall of defenses" that I held up for a very long time. It really got in my way and did not support me at all. While I was trying so hard not to be "wrong", to always be "right", striving to be a little "better" than others (there's some shame there), pretending I didn't really care about a lot of things, and generally refusing to allow vulnerability into my existence at all cost, I was cutting myself off from all that I truly desired (but wouldn't dare admit). I have many years in my past that I would "do-over" differently if I had the chance. As I was discussing this defensiveness and talking about how much I was letting go of it, I was questioning what was taking its place. Nature abhors a vacuum and I could not quite name what was filling the gap. This is when the magic of connection stepped in and through the voice of my dear friend and teacher it was revealed that, more and more, over the years, I have become AVAILABLE. One definition of this word is, "a person not otherwise occupied". Holy smokes, how many times was I "occupied" instead of being present: to my children, my husband, my friends, my family of origin, my life, myself!? How much did I hold back and miss out?

I can't go back and change the past. I can ask for forgiveness, I can say I'm sorry, I can own my transgressions. More than that, I can put down my defenses and be accessible to those I love and cherish with my whole heart. It's taken me a long time to get here. I can't be consumed by regret. I embrace the fact of "better late than never". So tell me, are you holding back or are you available? I highly recommend leaning into it.

You can find this full post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/2f9nwsvn.

02/12/2026

The Wick In The Candle

What's up, dear Reader? The last two weeks have been full! If you read my last post, you might remember that we had a big snow storm in Boston and more has fallen since.

Our "home team", the New England Patriots, made it to the Super Bowl, against the odds, with a young, rookie QB. Sadly, they were overwhelmed by a more experienced team, but there's always next year!

Most recently, the Olympics started, and I've been swept up in the excitement from Milan.

All of these events have had an element of inspiration about them. Digging out from under the piles of snow and enduring single-digit temps; watching a team come from behind under the guidance of a coach who totally believed in them; and, hearing the stories and seeing the performances of athletes from around the world -- it's all been truly uplifting.

Sometime in this last week, I came across a quote from someone I had never heard of before. I often think of motivational speakers coming into vogue around the 1970's. Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn come to mind and then, more recently Tony Robbins and Les Brown. I discovered a "new" one when the following came across my desk:

"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning."

It's credited to William Arthur Ward (1921-1994), an American motivational writer. As soon as I read that quote, I became very curious to find out more about him and especially his observations on life, and I was not disappointed.

I love to learn. It's not so much about school and education -- it's more about curiosity. I remember being in first grade and all of a sudden letters that seemed randomly connected became words. It felt like one minute it was a puzzle and next a new world opened up for me. One of my favorite places growing up was the local town library. I would ride my bike there at least once a week to drop off the books I read and get more. The librarian took me under her wing when I read all the "children's books" and wanted more.

I also liked talking to people. I lived with my grandmother a lot of the first six years of my life. She would take me with her when she visited her friends and neighbors, and I would listen closely to their conversations. I spent a lot of time around adults since I was an only child for nine years and I loved learning from them.

Inspiration goes hand in hand with curiosity. When we explore we uncover the unexpected. The snow caused me to find out what I needed to do with my car which was parked on the street. Watching my football team and reading how it was being built up again, by a coach who really wanted to encourage the players, after falling behind for a few years was so heartening. Looking into the backgrounds, hearing interviews, and watching performances of the Olympic athletes has been exhilarating.

Inspiration and curiosity also leads to caring. When we find out more of what's below the surface, we can become invested rather than having a superficial awareness.

We all need motivation, every day; otherwise, we wouldn't even get out of bed in the morning. I heartily recommend that you become more curious and see where it leads you. I'll end this with some more thought-provoking encouragement from Mr. Ward, which I discovered through my curiosity!

The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.

You can find this post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/nhhrtuz8

01/29/2026

Snow
Greetings, dear Friend, from a winter wonderland! Boston, Massachusetts got walloped with the biggest snow storm we've had in over four years and the 8th biggest in recorded history. These last few years have been so "easy" and it lulled me (and others, I'm sure) into forgetting just how challenging it can be when the white stuff piles up.

Sure, I lived through "Snowmageddon" when the city got over 100" the winter of 2014-15. Actually, I went and hid out in NY for some of that time, but I remember coming back for a few days and the only place to park was in a hospital garage a few blocks from where I was staying.

I also survived the blizzard of 1978. I remember making lots of chocolate chip cookies to sustain all the people out shoveling and wondering what to do with all that snow. People were using skiis to navigate the streets. That storm had big winds and created drifts up to 20 feet.

After a lull, though, it was easy to forget what it means to dig out. This time it's taken me three days to free up my car from its parking spot on the street and I'm terrified to go anywhere and lose "my spot". Boston has a tradition of putting out plastic lawn chairs, parking cones, kids' toys, trash cans, and even more unlikely items to hold a space that you've shoveled out. In fact, it's ok to use a "space saver" during a snow emergency and for 48 hours after the parking bans are lifted.

So, here's what it's been like for me ... Every day that I've gone outside with my broom and shovel it's become a meditation. There's something quiet about snow. It muffles sound and even though there's the scraping sound of shovels and the intermittent plow coming through, it has a peaceful quality. The idea of shoveling all the snow at once is beyond daunting. I am so grateful to have control over my time for most of this week. Every time I bundle up and head outside, I pick an area and break it down into small chunks. If I start to get tired, I decide to do "just one more area". Usually, when that's done, I decide to do another. There is a great feeling of satisfaction in creating space and I find myself dwelling only in this moment.

The piles of snow are quite high from what the plows and other shovelers have accomplished. Finding somewhere to put the snow is like playing Jenga in reverse. Can I get one or two more shovel-fulls on top of that embankment before it starts to just slide right back down? What an appreciation I have for my body being able to launch each chunk of these frozen crystals.

I choose to live in Boston and this reminder is another gift. I was born in the suburbs and grew up within a 30-minute drive of the city. Even though I love to travel and I was a house-less gypsy for ten years, Boston is home. I love the seasons, even if that means two feet of snow. Maybe I do well with contrast, but isn't that what sparks life? When I am clear on what I like or prefer as well as what displeases or aggravates me, I can always keep looking for what feels good or better.

Take what you will from my ramblings today. Find a way to be in a space of meditation, no matter what. Look for anything/everything to be grateful for. Pursue feelings of satisfaction and appreciation. Get clear on what you choose and know that everything is a choice.

Here is the post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/47rsz982

01/15/2026

Organized Limitations?

Hello, dear Reader. Whenever I sit down to write for you I wonder what I'm going to say. Sometimes I'll have made notes during the week when I've heard something that sounds like it's noteworthy. I might start off heading in one direction and end up in another. For me, it's a fascinating journey, a bit like a microcosm of life in general. Lately, my ears, eyes, and soul perk up whenever something about aging pops up. We are all aging, all the time -- what's the saying ... you will never be younger than you are now. It's true and it becomes more and more of a topic of interest as we age (duh!).

This week I was listening to Julia Louis-Dreyfus' podcast, "Wiser Than Me". I highly recommend it, no matter what your age and I especially suggest you try it out if you're of a certain age. She was interviewing the amazing swimmer Diana Nyad who at 64 years old swam from Cuba to Florida! What an inspiration! She's now 76 and not slowing down. She created EverWalk, an initiative to encourage people to keep walking in order to maintain healthy longevity.

What really got my attention was when she said in the interview, "I'm really against, you know, organized limitations. So, you know, health care companies, for instance, want to put out, well, at 76, you're going to be feeling this." This is a woman after my own heart. It reminds me of the T-shirt I saw that said, "I don't know how to act my age. I've never been this old before." Just the phrase act your age is an insult, as far as I'm concerned, since it's usually meant as a put-down.

Who has the right to tell me what 75, 85, or any age is "supposed" to look like?!? Why should I, or you, downgrade just because we're older? BTW, the definition of downgrade is: to reduce someone or something's rank, status, or level of importance. After years of living out loud, making mistakes and learning from them, and contributing on so many levels, I am damned if I will be demoted.

There are cultures in East and South Asia, many Native American tribes, and some African cultures who value and respect their elders. As they get older, they are cared for and held in an elevated status. Elders are revered for their history and listened to for their life lessons. This has the positive effect of letting us embrace aging. Instead of just getting "old", we can look forward to "what's next".

It's up to us to stay strong and not shrink into the background. This means taking care of ourselves in every way: physically, mentally, and spiritually. I also see it as a great opportunity to find or create communities where we support each other and we invite others, people of all ages, to find connection. We are relevant right up to our last breath and maybe even beyond. Hold onto that!

I also have this post on my blog, https://tinyurl.com/3epz3scm

Address

Boston, MA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Barbara L. Cummings posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Barbara L. Cummings:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category