Mature-preneurs:
Women and Men Who Inspire Us
. . .
By continuing to grow, stay
independent, healthy, productive, ageless, and of service to others
We accept decline-oriented retirement
because tradition says it's the "right" way to age. It's not. Meet productive
"mature-preneurs" who continue to grow and serve.
Click here to meet other
mature super stars
Barbara
Taylor Blomquist
I
was introduced to aging – or the lack of it – observing my widowed mother move
out of two retirement homes in six years. Both were with the same complaint, “I
don’t like living with old, sick, negative people.” Finally, at age 95 she
relented, moving into her third and last retirement home where she passed a
way
at age 100 after a five day illness.
At the third retirement home, administrators insisted she use a walker when she
turned 97. She would constantly leave it behind in the building and then have to
retrieve it. She didn’t need it and hated it. She was known by other residents
as ‘the woman who walks so fast’. Of course, this was done away from any staff
eyes.
The sad truth – people falsely label us and age us. We have to be vigilant not
to believe them.
I’ve spent years in the adoption field guiding adoptive parents through
parenting issues that baffled them. In my late 60’s, the parents in one group
encouraged, then insisted, I write a book on adoptive parenting.
I knew I didn’t know how to write a book, and, secondly, I was too old to
attempt such a feat. Eventually, I decided to just try and was immediately
hooked into the writing process. I found it exhilarating. Insight Into
Adoption was first published in 2001 when I
was 69. The second edition was released in 2009.
I still had things to say, so tried a novel, again something I didn’t know how
to do. Once more, I was carried away with the process. I sat down at the
computer each day in anticipation of what the computer would write. After
several hours, I’d read what was there and was surprised. It was as if someone
else had put those words into my computer. My first novel, Randy’s
Ride, was published in 2009 when I was 77. I
have another one completed, but not yet submitted for publication, and still
another one in my head waiting to be printed out. And, I know there will be
more. I’m eager to get going.
I’ve discovered a whole new world. After years of being a ‘hands on’ Mom, a
corporate wife, a part time employee, and busy with community activities, I now
am “playing on my own playground”. I’m loving it. I’ve learned so much about
writing, publishing, and marketing. My enthusiasm for life is higher than it’s
ever been.
Doing something new, anything new, is essential to keep, and even enhance our
joie de vivre. Experts say we need to get out of our comfort zone to stay
youthful. I started with much trepidation, but after making one baby step into
the unknown, it was exciting to anticipate the next step. Sometimes I’d have to
pause a little to get up my nerve, but plunging ahead is an exhilaration that’s
very motivating. After being on this earth a few years, we know it’s okay to
fail at something. The important thing is we tried, and will try again. That’s
what’s worth waking up for every morning.
Oh, and one more thing, negative thinking is not allowed in our house. When one
of us slips up, someone gets us back on track. Our lives and our health mirror
our thinking.
Contact Barbara Taylor Blomquist:
baybar@juno.com
http://barbarablomquist.tatepublishing.net/
Blog: http://adoptiveparent.wordpress.com/
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Barbara Bomquist's Books:
Source: 2011 Put Old on Hold Newsletter
Barbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Contact us
© 2010 – Image F/X Publications, All rights reserved
Learn my secrets for staying youthful!
And receive "Twelve Unique Diva-Tested Tips for Fantastic Skin" ebook as a FREE gift when you subscribe!
Privacy Policy: Your email address will never be sold, rented, or given to anyone. You have my word on it!
Put Old on Hold wisdom:
“I'm on a personal exploration
of the anti-aging odyssey. I've lived through this process. I know it
works.”
— Barbara Morris
