Wisdom

What do you think gets better with age?

As I age, I realize how little I knew. When I was young I thought I knew everything. But as I grew older, as each year passed, I became wiser in the knowledge of how little I know.

It’s a common saying, “I wish I knew at 20 what I know now.”

How true this is. With age comes wisdom. That is if you keep on being willing to learn and don’t think you know everything.

Do besides fine wines and cheese our minds get better with age until they don’t.

Bedtime

What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?

I was always a night owl. But as I get older not so much.

Usually I go to bed around 10 to 10:30 and read for a bit. Sometimes I doze off quickly sometimes I read for an hour or two.

I wake up around 7:30 or 8 and do my morning ritual. Coffee, meditation, writing and playing around on my phone. Then I head to the gym.

I figure I average about 6 hours of sleep every night and that seems to work for me. I don’t usually feel tired.

Comfort

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

What do I do to increase comfort? I start my day slowly with coffee, meditation, writing, and relaxing.

I workout. Working out helps alleviate the pains and aches in my body,

I chat with friends and family.

And I laugh. Laughter heals.

I’m retired so rushing to work is no longer needed. My children are grown so they don’t need to be tended to.

Actually, I have a very comfortable life!

Peace and Harmony

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

I live for that. When I live in harmony, all is right with the world.

I’d let go of toxic relationships, even with family members if they affected my harmony.

I’d give up traveling if it started to cause too much anguish thus affecting harmony.

I’d let go of all that creates drama and chaos in my life.

Actually, I’ve done most of these things with the exception of travel. That still fills me with positivity.

Music

What is your favorite genre of music?

I really love music. It depends on my mood which is my favorite. In July 4th at the fireworks, the band played a lot of rock oldies from 60s and 70s – some CCC, Rolling Stones, Cream, Who. It was a blast.

I like Broadway show music if I want to do a singalong. And I love folk music.

But I like going to the symphony. I enjoy all the masters,

I like Celtic music. And I like tribal music.

Music is what ignites me or quiets my soul.

Climbing Bwindi to see the Mountain Gorillas

Describe your most memorable vacation.

I’ve had so many memorable vacations traveling the globe enjoying different cultures, eating different foods and meeting some very interesting people. But by far my trip to Uganda, climbing the Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest stands out. For one, Africa and the great apes have been on my bucket list since I saw my first Tarzan movie as a very little girl.

Our trek was 2 hours up a mountain and partway down the other side, where we finally encountered the gorilla family.

This was Rohendeeza – the oldest gorilla known at this time in 2011. I was about 5 inches away from him before I took this photo.

We also spent time checking out other wildlife such as the chimpanzees.

And giraffes!

Candlelight and Music

What’s your definition of romantic?

One of the most romantic nights I can remember was on lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

The moon and stars shown above this tiny inn. There were only about 10 cabins and the paths were lit by tiny lights that sparkled like fairy dust.

We ate dinner under the stars, lit by candles with the lake and volcanoes in view.

There was something magical about the place.

An Attitude of Gratitude

How do you express your gratitude?

I try to express in gratitude all the things I am grateful for, such as waking in the morning, seeing the sunshine, hearing the birds sing. We often forget to be grateful for these simple things.

If I am grateful, I am positive. I give out positive vibes. If I’m not focused on my gratitude, I become negative. Negativity breeds negativity and often creates diversion in relationships.

So I start my day in gratitude and end my day in gratitude. When life happens, it always does, I work harder on gratitude. I write a gratitude list. I read my gratitude list.

Maintaining a life filled with gratitude is what gives me peace and serenity. It aids in building positive relationships.