So much about being a woman and getting older is about embracing the journey. If you take the time to listen to others, you find that you can be a good friend, a wonderful wife, and a loving grandmother. Even more, someone who has compassion from lived experiences or as an advocate for others. But there are two ways of looking at getting older, bad and good. I am not a negative thinker so I always spin the bad into a positive. On the other hand, the good is all good and it gets better with time.
There's one bad thing about getting older and it’s not really bad at all. Unfortunately, you cannot wear the cute little clothes you wore in your twenties and thirties. That said, here's the good:
First, you can take time to work on yourself. For example, you can make time to exercise every day. You probably have a little more time on your hands so why not make the most of it? Even if your life is full of work or school or family, you are the captain of your domain. So, why not find what makes you feel good and strong both inside and outside? Commit to a short-term 30-day exercise routine [find what works for you] for 30 minutes a day. If you only make 20 or 15 days, you have done well. Of course, you can do better in the next 30 days!
Second, you can take risks by stating what you want out of life. Imagine wanting a new career or job with more flexibility for a better work-life balance. Figure out what you are really good at and once more, commit to making what makes you happy, known. If you have a job, can you work one less day a week? If you need to look for a new job, look for one that advertises job flexibility and negotiates your must-have terms. You are a big girl now and you know what makes you a happy, productive team member.
Last, pray for wisdom. Wisdom is not because you are in your fifties [although it is good to get older and wiser] but because you need to keep your mind sharp to make great decisions. The first great decision you can make is to love and trust in God who is always ready to give you wisdom if you ask for it. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (New International Version, James 1:5).
Finally, the term good and bad is used in many different ways. I prefer to look at my life, a woman in my fifties and getting older, as a good thing. I am constantly learning and watching the world change. Life is short. I think it is a waste of time dwelling on anything that feels or is negative. So if life isn't all you want it to be-change it, change yourself, and help to change the world for others. It all starts with you and that is good.