I’m pondering … in regards to the selections we make after 50. I select to bloom daily of my life. And, so do you have to, particularly after 50. It’s straightforward for me to speak on this matter as a result of I consider selecting to stay tight within the bud is not any possibility. It’s claustrophobic. Your option to bloom creates constructive power and emotional success.

I wrote this story whereas in Greece. Spending time on the Islands of Mykonos and Santorini left me reflecting on Greek tradition. On its individuals, and the pure setting of flora, fauna, and the ocean.

MYKONOS AND MY BLOOMING IDEAS OF GROWTH AFTER 50

To start, the Islands are very completely different. My fondest reminiscences of Mykonos, the glad island, are the gorgeous olive bushes blooming within the 1000’s. I am keen on the ever-changing Aegean Sea, little retailers and shopkeepers, and … oh … the music. A mix of the Frank Sinatra era music sung by new artists with a aptitude, fashionable jazz, and emotionally glad sounds. Nothing of what some consult with as “music” in the present day.

I spent 4 days on Mykonos and bloomed. I made a promise to myself to hold a part of Mykonos residence with me. We fell in love with the music. We’re going to arrange a CD system in our condo-in-the-sky and buy CDs to play all day as a substitute of listening to the information. I’ve a good friend who might help; my Final Concierge’s barber, Fernando. He’s 88 years younger and has a sound system in his tiny store the place he solely performs the CDs of the well-known songwriters. I’m so excited and so is my husband. We are going to bloom doing this undertaking collectively.

A diamond necklace. I imply it.

I actually bloomed once I met a girl, Sofia, the proprietor of the boutique resort we lived in for 4 days on Mykonos. We bonded. On the evening earlier than we left the Island, on my facet of the mattress was a present for me … a steel olive tree!

She knew, due to a number of conversations, that olive bushes enraptured me. They’re my favourite tree as a result of, for my part, the olive tree solely offers. It by no means takes. It shades us from the warmth, it offers olives for meals. Its bark builds houses, its oil offers nourishment and lightweight. And, its magnificence brings heavenly bliss.

In the midst of the evening I acquired inventive … why not ship an actual olive tree from Mykonos to my condo-in-the-sky? I’ve been wanting an olive tree for 2 years. The morning we left I requested Sofia if she may ship me a tree. She goes to attempt. I do know if in any respect potential she’s going to accomplish this. Am I pondering outdoors the field? I positive am and why not? Would you?

I’ve all the time regarded for circumstances to bloom. In the event you reside just like the bud who by no means opens you can not develop. I’ve mates who are closed to new concepts and I really like them simply the identical. I suppose and hope they’re feeling as fulfilled as I’m. They merely select to search out their technique of success in a different way after 50.

SANTORINI

Santorini is thought because the quiet and reflective Island. The Aegean Sea could be very peaceable. There aren’t any commerce winds. The city just isn’t as buzzing as Mykonos and but, I used to be capable of bloom internally. We shopped for beaded bracelets until my girlfriend and I dropped. And I spent a part of the day on the ocean on a yacht and celebrated my girlfriend’s birthday.

Over dinner one evening we determined to plan a visit, God prepared, and journey to Rwanda to lastly see the silverback gorillas!

On Santorini, I made a decision the leaves of my life won’t ever flip brown as a result of they may all the time be watered by my thirst to regularly bloom after 50. And, that is my want for you… bloom.

On Santorini, I additionally had the time to be nonetheless and mirror. Oh a lot … I may write a ebook. Possibly I ought to.

After the age of fifty, we are able to look again and rejoice. We are able to surprise why this occurred, why this didn’t, and treasure our good luck, our scars, and our method of surviving. We are able to discover development after 50.

Lastly and most importantly, rejoice in what we’ve got, who we’ve got turn into and the place we’re going. To not point out, what we are able to proceed to accomplish. And, let that be your thought in transferring ahead.

DON’T GET POT-BOUND … BLOOM

2. Begin laughing and looking out ahead.

3. Spark your creativeness with one thing new or an unrealized dream.

4. Return to varsity, one course at a time.

5. Be taught to talk a brand new language.

7. Attend a lecture sequence.

8. Begin your personal enterprise.

9. Put collectively a gaggle of girls for a month-to-month get-together.

10. Begin a undertaking you’ve gotten placed on the again burner.

12. Buy a ravishing straw hat.

And always remember to…love!