Vibrant Nation

Hi Sherrie,

I am finding that women are "reinventing" themselves in this stage of life.  Most of us are still in the workplace and dream about "doing what we've always wanted to do."  Alot of us want to make an imprint on this world, making it a better place for ourselves but particularly for our descendants.  But we want to have fun doing it.  We take jobs which aren't upwardly mobile simply because we feel some kind of satisfaction.  We still have obligations for parents and kids but know that balance is next to godly (family, health, fitness, work, leisure, etc.).  Oh, and don't forget the arts.  We love to listen to music, knit, read, and nest.  We're empty-nesters or soon-to-be empty-nesters and were looking to fill that gap (a friend just got a few egg-laying chicks and built a coop!).

Hope this starts you off.  

Hi Sherrie:

One of the reasons why I enjoy Vibrant Nation so much is the juxtaposition of “vibrant” to our age. “Side by each,” as my French Canadian Aunt Jeannot says, it's this wonderful and absolute and positive certainty that, of course, vibrancy is an intrinsic part of all of us in our 50’s and beyond.

I fervently agree with one of my favorite resources (Webster’s New World College Dictionary!) that this delicious word means we are “vigorous, energetic, radiant, sparkling and vivacious.” Can you read that definition of us without grinning? I can’t! I would just add one more adjective. Powerful. There is nothing we cannot do WHEN—not if!—we set our minds to it.

Each of us has had a life rich with experiences from the difficult and heart wrenching to the ridiculous, the funny and the sublime. Every single experience shapes our own unique vibrancy. When we fully engage in something we love to do, we often tingle with excitement. Whether it’s a personal or professional pursuit, being a vibrant mid-life woman means that our energy is boundless and our enthusiasm is infectious when we pursue our dreams. Dreams? Yes, because as women in this vibrant nation, we know it’s one of those right times to zestfully engage in exploring this next and best chapter in our lives.

The only catch is that we have to consciously choose to be vibrant. I think the poet e.e. cummings captures the essence of how we can fully experience that vibrancy:

. . .(now the ears of my ears awake and / now the eyes of my eyes are opened). . .and "for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes." Experiencing that "YES!” and accepting that invitation to fully realize our potential, that’s us—vibrant mid-life women!

Michèle Meagher

Your Next Quest

http://www.yournextquest.com

A vibrant mid-life woman has a job that she enjoys waking up to in the morning.  The kind of job that gives tremendous satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.   One where she is expected to share all of her ideas with persons above and beneath her.  She has her household well organized, so that not only can you easily find everything, but that the arrangement makes sense, even though she's not there.  She is active in her community and you can find her many volunteer situations. 

I'm not your vibrant mid life person i am more like a older oddity that has reached the time in her life where she lives alone, does not have to worry about her children only her dog can come and go at any time of day does not have to report to any boss for extra anxiety eats what she likes when she likes. She can read all day walk where ever and if staying in does not have to shower or try to look wonderful just feel that way because she is totally free