Remember when we used to think 40 was old?

Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.  ~ George Bernard Shaw

In a few days I will embark on two new adventures.  The first is actually something I have done before but each time I do it, it feels like a new beginning.  I am excited to spend 5 nights and 6 days completely off the grid in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.  The second adventure is that I will be turning 40 years old while I am in the woods.  I think I am more anxious about my BWCA trip then I am about turning 40.  I have been pondering this next decade I am about to enter and I am enthusiastic.

In eastern philosophy, there is thought that our lives are divided up into units of 20 years and that each unit pertains to a different element.  From 0-20 we are in the midst of amazing growth both physically, mentally, and emotionally.  This is the part of life where we are absorbing everything we can and easily take it all in - we are like wood.  From 20-40 we are in the midst of the work, we have all the energy in the world to blaze our trail - we are like fire.  From 40-60 we enter a new phase of life where we start to slow down and notice the details and take it all in.  We start to mold more to life's changes - we are metal.  From 60-80 we begin to float through life and enjoy the ride - we are like water.  Finally, if we are lucky enough to enter the final stage from 80-100 we return to the earth and the sky - we are like air.

I was given this wonderful idea of the life journey about two years ago at a meditation class.  This thought process really inspired me to start looking at my own life.  The deeper part of this dharma talk was that many of us are trying to cling onto certain stages of life that are no longer available.  I started to take note of this as I looked at my own life but also of those around me.  The fire stage (20-40) is how many of us live in this world even though it does not serve us anymore.  I see it all the time in the fitness industry.  Many of my clients are over 40 and yet they still want to workout as if their bodies were in their 20's.  People will always say to me,  "It all went down hill when I got into my 40's."  Mainly, they got injured or acquired a chronic injury that really dampened their lives.  As I looked closer at their routines and lifestyles, I noticed that they were still trying to be like fire instead of like metal.  They were going to extreme boot camp classes or deciding that 100 burpees were something that would be good for them.  I started asking questions to myself and to others like, "Why do you want to do that or why do you think that would be good for you?"

The point of this division of life into 20 years is not to force us to accept the fact that we are getting older but to honor that the body, mind and spirit evolve and change.  Evolving and changing are not bad things but signs of personal growth.  The true wisdom is when we start to really take notice and listen to these changes.

I noticed about two years ago that my body was not appreciating high impact classes or routines and it preferred more lower impact, kinder exercises.  I started paying attention to how my body responded to certain foods and realized that there are just some things that do not serve my nutrition any longer.  I started to make priorities for my mental health by taking time away from daily life to enjoy the natural world.  I understand that I need rest as much as I need activity.

Finally, I realized that I have lived an amazing life so far and to be grateful always.  Live life as if you might not get another chance.  Listen to your body and be willing to make changes as they need to happen.  Don't look back, look forward.

I am thrilled to see the beautiful northern woods and spend time reflecting on my first 40 years.  It has been a great ride so far.  As a great song lyric says, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be!"

The light in me honors the light in you dear friends,

Namaste,
Espi

Here's what almost 40 looks like.  Bring on the next decade! Woohoo!

A Birthday in remembrance

Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.   ~ Shannon L. Alder

It has been a while since I have written a blog.  The latter part of 2016 seemed to turn our world upside down and I am not even talking about the election.   As the beginning of the school year started in August for our kids, we were given the news that Mike's sister Sue was terminal with cancer.  It rocked our world to the core.  Mike's sweet and sassy sister Sue passed away in September and it changed our lives.   I know that this has been even harder for my husband but it has really affected me as well.  I think this has been one of the main reasons I could not write.  I just did not know what to say.  Memories of my own fathers passing resurfaced and I can definitely say I have been sad and depressed.

Today, Sue would have turned 50 years old.  Since knowing Sue I can say without a doubt that there

would have been a HUGE birthday party today to celebrate her.  I bet that most people would use the word "fun" to describe Sue in some way or another.  She was the life of the party, the ultimate party planner and just an all around joy to be around. 

Sue was one of the first people my husband introduced me to in his family when we were first dating almost 17 years ago.  I knew that she was special to him for he was so excited for me to meet her.  She was simply a cool person. 

Sue was a great mother, daughter, sister and friend to so many people.  I was not able to say an official goodbye to Sue but if I were able to say something to her it would be this:

Dear Sue,

You are dearly missed by so many people.  I want to thank you for the following things:

1.  For being an incredible woman.  You walked your own walk and owned it like a boss. 

2.  For raising three amazing kids.  I am in awe at how all three of them stood up at your "Celebration of Life" and talked about you.  They are strong and compassionate people - you would be proud.

3.  For being such a great, older sister to my husband.  It means a lot to me to see how important family is to him.  I believe you and your family influenced him often. He misses you so and I know the past few months have not been easy for him.

4.  For being a friend to so many people.  You touched so many people with your positive attitude and bright smile.  So many people never knew how much you were suffering at the end for you were more concerned about them then yourself.  You always had so much love in your heart for other people.

I know that this is not goodbye but simply "see you again soon."  Thank you for sharing your love and light to this world - I am truly blessed to have known you.

Love,
Espi

P.S.  I hope you are dancing to Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" somewhere really amazing. 


Losing a loved one is not easy but it does remind us that our time here on earth is precious and uncertain.  Love with all your heart and soul - always.

Until next time dear friends,

Namaste

Summer Shenanigans 2016

The purpose of a vacation is to have the time to rest. But many of us, even when we go on vacation, don't know how to rest. We may even come back more tired than before we left. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

We returned a few weeks ago from our family vacation.  We had so much fun that we are still trying to figure out the Eastern time zone as we traveled through three time zones over the course of 2.5 weeks.  I frequently referenced this vacation as our "Summer Shenanigans" trip for we packed in a lot in a short amount of time. 

Summers are the best time for us to travel with both our work and kids schedules.  Also, it is pretty safe to say that we probably will not run into any blizzards as drive up North!  This year we had a few priorities to keep in mind so we had to plan well.  It was my 20th high school reunion and we also had to be back in time for Fiona's middle school orientation.  In between this vacation, Mike and I snuck away to Las Vegas.  It was a blast to say the least.

Below are a few pictures that capture our summer fun.  Remember to get out a play as often as you can and to break away from it all.  This is my short and sweet blog.  Hey, it's summer - get outside and play:)

Namaste my fellow beach bums!