On 11.11.11 I turned 50, but I don’t feel them! πŸ™‚ A half century seems a lot, but where did all these years go? Especially the last 5?
When I turned 35, a friend told me: β€œYou’ll see, after 35 you’ll start to have health problems, life will not be the same!” I didn’t believe her, and I didn’t have health problems all these years, except my knee injured at ski in 2002, and again last May (caused by another incident). And both times, after having a radiography to verify is anything is broken, I refused medical assistance… and allowed my body to find its way to healing (without surgery or medication). I always paid attention to catch the early symptoms that my body gave me, so I can adjust accordingly… so I ended up trusting my body’s wisdom.
What else helped me to get here without health problems? Eating small portions, several times a day (when I feel hungry, not when β€œit’s time”), and paying attention to what I eat. When seeing my salad for a lunch, a colleague told me: β€œYou’ll live 100 years, I don’t want to live so much!”. But is it about how much you live, or about living a healthy and happy life no matter how long it turns to be?!
I always felt the need to go in nature to reconnect with myself … at least in week-ends. And it always helped me: no matter how stressed, tired or lacking energy I was… nature was always there to nurture me! Especially in my first Canadian years! I should give her an award for being so supportive! πŸ™‚ And with going outside in nature comes also being active… which turns out to be healthy also!
Ok, what else got me here? Paying attention to myself, and my own insights … no matter what external advice I received. I had a strong feeling that I was not going in the right direction, all those years when I worked in the technical field (engineering, IT, Quality Assurance). It was so strong that I’ve started to look for alternatives, and didn’t stop until I really found what I love. And by taking this new path, everything started to change so quickly, that time went by without noticing. Some people asked me how can I do so many things?! The answer is easy: when you do what you love, you get much more energy… and you can β€œspend” it the way you want. It’s much more rewarding to do what you love, then what you think you should do. I guess you know how to find reasons (why you do what you do, we are so good at finding reasons!), but that they don’t help us become happier and more successful!
Taking the path of coaching and self-growth had a double effect: on my clients, and on myself. It increased my creativity and sharpened my intuition. I became more aware of a world that many of us ignore or are not aware. I also became more patient and persistent to continue on my path of heart without frustration… even when the results are not visible yet!
This morning I wrote a letter to myself, jotting down my thoughts as they came through. It ended up with: β€œNow get up and run into your next 50 years with a smile on your face, because life is so beautiful!”. It is, isn’t it? πŸ™‚

Gabriela… joining the selected club of 50+ πŸ™‚

Now I’m 50… what’s next? πŸ™‚
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10 thoughts on “Now I’m 50… what’s next? :-)

  • November 13, 2011 at 1:22 am
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    La Multi Ani, Gabi!
    Carmen Dumitrescu wishes you many merry happy returns of this day.
    I share the same feeling about searching for years for the right career path. After wandering away almost half of a century I feel I am pretty much where I was supposed to be. I feel in my element although I am still not where I want to be.
    Cheers!

    Reply
    • November 13, 2011 at 9:11 am
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      Thanks Carmen! Glad to here you find your path of heart. It’s a life time process to walk on it. πŸ™‚
      Cheers,
      Gabriela

      Reply
  • November 13, 2011 at 10:42 pm
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    La Multi Ani Gabriela !!!
    Many many happy years with the same strength and joy that you have now!!!
    All the best,
    Rozica and Dan

    Reply
    • November 14, 2011 at 7:23 am
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      Thanks Rozica and Dan πŸ™‚ Happiness, joy and strength come from inside, did you check there? πŸ™‚

      Reply
  • November 14, 2011 at 10:16 am
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    Love your closing image of running into the next 50 years with a smile on your face! Age is just a number, isn’t it? It’s attitude that makes the difference. Why not embrace the years as they arrive, seeking their wisdom and savouring all the experiences they offer? Hugs from a Fab Fifty-Fiver to a Fab Fifty-er! Welcome to The Club!

    Reply
    • November 14, 2011 at 10:21 pm
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      Thanks Julie! What this Club has so special? Several people told me “Welcome to The Club!” πŸ™‚

      All my life I had to calculate my age when asked, never remembered it (so little importance had to me)! πŸ™‚
      It’s more than just an attitude, I guess. It’s a way of being that we have to be willing to discover, by pulling away the layers under which we lived for years … that was put on our shoulders by the society rules. Each of us is so unique, we cannot just fit in generals rules! That’s why so many people are confused, they don’t know what they want, that’s their passion!

      Reply

Hey, wait, you weren't gonna leave without commenting, were you? :-)

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