“No longer are you going to allow the world to define who you are. Instead, you are going to be a force of influence, and as a result, have your environment be a product of you. “
Spring is springing and what a great time it is to look in the mirror and decide to be a force of nature!! No one can do it for you – are you in??
Happy April! How’s it going so far? First Quarter of the year has flown by. Warmer weather prevailing, flowers starting to pop. Hopefully past pollen season – sneeze sneeze.
I recently listened to a talk about relationships. There were five main points and I’ll try my best to summarize. The talk I listened to was 1/2 hour. I promise not to make you read for 1/2 hour!!
I think we all would like to have successful relationships. Friends, family, new acquaintances – those who you’ve known for a long time or those who are new to your circle. These five points seem to apply to all. So here goes my summary.
Thanks! Go out there and be the difference!!
Here in the mountains, Spring came early. Or is it better to say the normal Winter never really showed up? I tell all the disappointed skiers that it’s my fault. For the first time ever, I bought snow tires. And now I’m having to scramble to get new tires put on because you cannot run snow tires on warm asphalt or concrete. It ruins them.
And of course there’s the whole “horse thing”. My horse doesn’t respond well to frigid temps and elk eating his hay in his paddock. He frets, he stresses, he gets ulcers. So I moved him down to the Front Range for the winter. Alas – he could’ve stayed here. I would not have had to drive 2 1/2 hours each way just to go down to ride him . . . . and ruin the snow tires (see above!!)
Of course, with lots of time in the car, I am able to listen to my Audible, and try to get caught up on my “reading” by listening to the books in the library. I still have “unread” books on there that last 18+ hours, because I used to make the drive between Texas and Colorado twice a year. Now that I live in the mountains, it’s hard to get through those long ones so I listen to shorter ones. And last week I listened to one called Dusty Bibles.
I picked it because it was only a couple of hours long. To be honest, I do not have any recollection of buying that title or why I added it to my list to begin with. But it fit the required time I needed while in the car. So I listened. It’s an interactive read – at the end of every chapter it gives you an assignment of something to do. I was unable to do that since I was driving BUT I did have a “take away” from it that I really liked and wanted to share.
“Silence forces reflection. Reflection forces reckoning“
As the book title implies, if something is “dusty” in your life, maybe it’s time to clean it up and make a change. Pay attention. Attend to what needs attending to. On this weeks drive down the mountain, maybe I’ll have some silent time to reflect?
What a revelation. On some level, you know it, but do you practice it??
I have been and it’s so FREEING!! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being mean – I’m just taking better care of myself, my needs, my purpose, my life!!
During this season of Thanksgiving and Holidaze, I feel so ready to take it on. And 2026? Nothing but onward and upward.
From this past September through this coming January I will have made 9 roundtrips on flights; rarely are they on time, but I always get to where I’m going, and so far have made it back home. That’s saying something considering the Fall we had.
So “choose you”! Have a wonderful end of the year and a grand kickoff to the next one.
Holiday Hugs to you!!
Do you have a bucket list??
I’m now working on my second one. The one I made in college, when I look back on it, was perfect for that age and that time in my life. There were five things on the list. A couple of them I accomplished fairly quickly. One of them, to have been in all 50 states, took me until 2018 – when I finally made it to Wisconsin!! I had a map of the US on my wall in the study, and one day I really looked at it and realized that there was only one state not colored in!! What was I waiting on??
I went to my favorite travel related internet site “Trip Advisor” and set out to plan a trip to Wisconsin. I felt really great when I could finally color in that map with the 50th and final state DONE!! I’m a visual learner, I have to see it to learn it – and that goal on a map spurred me on.
Then I figured I needed a more “adult” bucket list, and set out to create another one. The photo here was taken a week ago as I accomplished another goal – seeing the Grand Canyon. I took a 9 day road trip with a dear friend of 40 years, and we saw the “Mighty 5” National Parks in Utah, 3 state parks and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We hit 4 different states (maybe she should start a map?) and hiked and walked and took a ton of photos.
A sense of accomplishment- we all need one/them. Have you ever written down your goals? Do you have a bucket list? 2025 may be halfway gone, but it’s never too late to feel accomplishment.
Wishing everyone a “Grand Canyon” moment!
Helen Mirren once said: Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective. Because if not, there’s absolutely no point.
Not every argument is worth your energy. Sometimes, no matter how clearly you express yourself, the other person isn’t listening to understand—they’re listening to react.
They’re stuck in their own perspective, unwilling to consider another viewpoint, and engaging with them only drains you.
There’s a difference between a healthy discussion and a pointless debate.
A conversation with someone who is open-minded, who values growth and understanding, can be enlightening—even if you don’t agree. But trying to reason with someone who refuses to see beyond their own beliefs? That’s like talking to a wall. No matter how much logic or truth you present, they will twist, deflect, or dismiss your words, not because you’re wrong, but because they’re unwilling to see another side.
Maturity isn’t about who wins an argument—it’s about knowing when an argument isn’t worth having. It’s realizing that your peace is more valuable than proving a point to someone who has already decided they won’t change their mind. Not every battle needs to be fought. Not every person deserves your explanation.
Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is walk away—not because you have nothing to say, but because you recognize that some people aren’t ready to listen. And that’s not your burden to carry.
“Tomorrow isn’t promised.
There’s no second chance at this exact moment, no “next lifetime” to finally take the leap.
Say what you need to say. Chase the dream that won’t leave your heart. Tell the people you love how much they mean to you.
Take risks. Try new things. Let laughter fill your days. Do what scares you, because fear often hides the best experiences.
If something is calling you, don’t ignore it. The chance you’re waiting for is right now.
Tomorrow isn’t promised so make today count.”
I’m borrowing this from a Facebook post that one of my trainers posted this morning. When it comes to my equestrian life, I struggle with this all the time. Sometimes it scares me, sometimes it frustrates me, it’s definitely taking a risk here in the last third of my life.
My family doesn’t support me in it, my friends think I’m nuts, it’s a very small circle of people who get it. I question myself all the time – when should I walk away, throw in the towel, wise up?
Then you have a great ride and you have your answer – not yet. You look deep into the eyes of your equine partner and they stick that muzzle in your face for a smell and a rub and a blow and you think – not yet.
But the above quote isn’t just for me and about my horse, it can be about anything. Tomorrow is not promised, so get out there and do what you love, try something new, hug those you love and tell them how important they are.
Most of all?? Make today count.
Sorry – a day late for my good wishes to you all. There was that “football” game that got in the way, LOL!
So to start the new year off, I’m not making resolutions, just thinking about how to be more proactive in keeping my life positive and moving forward in a happy way this year. Love this and wanted to share!!
Keep happy and keep trying. (and take the title as 10 lessons for all ages!)
December 21 Winter Solstice – – –
The shortest day and the longest night of the year.
Seems fitting that this is my travel day to be with the West Coast family for Christmas. So far today I’ve chased three deer out of my yard (before my dogs could) and passed a herd of elk on the golf course, settled in for their sunny day siesta. The sun is bright and shiny but the temps started the morning at 19 degrees.
My college team is playing in the first round of the playoffs today, and I’m going to miss most of it while sitting on the afore mentioned flight to San Diego. I sold my four tickets online via Seat Geek and am just praying that the correct color of “orange” will be enjoying the game from my seats.
Tomorrow will be the second trip to the Nutcracker Ballet with the Cali family after taking Texas granddaughter several weeks ago. It’s those holiday traditions that you look forward to so fondly every year.
I won’t be posting this next week, I’ll be chasing little people around their backyard and enjoying temps in the 70’s so I’ll take this opportunity to wish you all a very wonderful holiday season full of family and friends, traditions both old and new, and the start to a new year full of hope.
Thank you for spending time with me this last year. Since 2012 I’ve done my best to share and care. Could not have done it without you all.
Hugs!!
suddenlysinglewomen 