Farewell 2024 & Welcome 2025!

December 28, 2024 CCL

Two hands holding sparklers against dusk sky — Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

The arrival of a new year is often a time for looking ahead: making resolutions, identifying needs or values to live by, choosing theme words to give focus, and planning for activities and trips we want to make happen. I intend to do a few of these and enjoy envisioning my life in a larger context than the day-to-day.

I’ve also been thinking back on this year and recalling meaningful events. … Life flies by and many important moments can be forgotten. At 75, I’m very aware of this! I invite you to look back on the year and pick out experiences you want to carry with you. …

Awe & inspiration

August 25, 2024 Denise Torres

I’d like to share a recommendation from my dear friend, Eliza: To Be In Awe— WISDOM from a 96-year-old. This film features Dot Fisher-Smith, an elder from Ashland, Oregon. She's invited to speak about her life today, and I think she does this with a great deal of beauty, calm, and awe. …

Stories we tell ourselves

July 22, 2024 Denise Torres

5 match sticks on purple background. 3 fresh matches, 1 burnt, 1 fresh with leaf growing out of the wood. — Photo by @tangerinenewt on Unsplash

Today I’m passing along a link to a podcast I came across and often revisit: People I (Mostly) Admire.

This episode in particular—Pay Attention! (Your Body Will Thank You)—was eye-opening because it helped me realize how I’ve been carrying around various stories blocking me from seeing who I truly can be.

In this case, it was my experience of being 70 years old. I didn’t realize I’d told myself a story about being 70—about what happens when you’re this age, i.e., “It’s all downhill from here,” and how life will get progressively harder. …

Grace

September 14, 2022 Bryn Hazell

Scruffy red and white fox looks up at purple flowers with thoughtful expression, lush green background and foreground — Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash

I like the word “Grace.”

I’ve been working on a definition of what it means to me. Here’s my current definition: Accepting the difficulties and challenges that life brings with a peaceful flow of awareness that encourages thoughtful and kind actions.

It’s a feeling and a need for me.

Lately, with the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that aging brings to my life (and to that of many of my friends and family), I’ve been thinking more about grace. …