Category Archives: aging

The Magic in our Roots: A Legacy of Love, Creativity, and Possibility

Posted on by
7

The women of my past – my grandmothers, Rachel and Ivy – are mysteries to me. I barely knew them. Yet, their echoes live on, whispering in the cadence of my words, the artistry of my hands, and the flutter of my granddaughter’s fingers as she spins tales of fairies and dragons.

It’s funny how life weaves its threads. My father, a man of few words, was a poet on paper, his love letters to my mother filled with yearning and a breezy charm I never witnessed firsthand. Yet, from him, I inherited the gift of words, the power to paint emotions and experiences onto the page. From my mother, I learned to create beauty, to transform spaces into dreamscapes, and to find joy in the artistic dance of life.

My mother wasn’t one for reality. “I don’t like reality,” she’d say, and I find myself echoing her sentiment when asked to paint on commission. Like mother, like daughter, we find our truth in the realms of imagination and possibility.

Watching my granddaughter celebrate her fourth birthday, I see her mother at that age – the same fluttering hands, the same secret smiles as if listening to the unspoken stories of the heart. And I realize, this is our legacy. It’s in the dreams we weave, the stories we tell, the beauty we create, and the boundless love we share.

As I immerse myself in the wonder of my grandchildren’s world, I feel the roots of my family tree deepening, nourished by the fertile soil of their imagination. In their laughter, their play, their boundless creativity, I see the promise of a future where anything is possible. Where stories unfold, dreams take flight, and the human spirit flourishes.

For in the heart of a child, and the stories we weave together, lies the true magic of life – a legacy that transcends time, connecting us to our past, enriching our present, and shaping our future.

Namaste

It’s Time to Rip Up the Rulebook (and Maybe Rewrite It Ourselves)

Posted on by
Reply

It’s time. Time to write our own ageless script. Time to defy the notion we need to tone ourselves down as we grow older.

I’m not just defying aging —I’m giving it a playful wink and a knowing smile. Forget those tired old notions about what a woman “should” be, do, or say. I’m taking that rulebook, scribbling all over it, and maybe even adding a few pretty doodles in the margins before I rip out the pages and write my own!

This ain’t no 60s liberation movement. We’re not just breaking through barriers; we’re dismantling them brick by brick and building something far more magnificent in their place. We’re not just finding our voices; we’re turning up the volume and letting them echo through the ages.

I’m diving into the world of AI, (like the image above which I generated using AI and a whole lot of descriptors and trials and errors – which btw, is a clear indication of how so many of the algorithms are written by men! Try getting it to create a woman without big breasts and loads of cleavage!) embracing its potential like a fearless explorer. Sure, there are concerns, but I’m choosing curiosity over fear. Because a life lived in the shadows of ignorance? That’s not for me.

I’m talking boundless, liberated, authentic. I’m shedding those outdated expectations and stepping into my own power. I’m crafting my own rules, setting my own course, and living life on my terms.

So, are you with me? Are you ready to shake things up, challenge the norm, and create a life that’s uniquely, vibrantly yours?

Let’s tear up that old rulebook together, ladies. And then, let’s write a new one that celebrates our strength, our wisdom, and our unyielding spirit.

Let’s let our age grow wild and our spirits soar free!

_________________________________

Join me for my upcoming Masterclass Unleash Your Ageless Radiance – Juy 3, 5pm MT

How Safe is Your Voice?

Posted on by
Reply

A Conversation Across Generations and Lived Experiences

The pursuit of being ‘heard’ and giving voice to our stories is a lifelong journey. From our first cries as infants to the wisdom we share in our later years, our voices evolve and adapt to the world around us. Sometimes, they are strong and powerful. Sometimes, soft and tentative. But how often do we consider the safety of our voices, especially when it comes to hearing and listening to the diverse perspectives that different generations and lived experiences bring to the table?

Ageism and the Erasure of Lived Experience

Ageism, the discrimination or prejudice based on age, can lead to the erasure of invaluable lived experience. This is particularly true for older adults who have navigated decades of challenges and triumphs, accumulating a wealth of knowledge that is often overlooked or dismissed. Just as the lived experiences of marginalized groups who have frequently been silenced or disregarded, such as those who have experienced homelessness, are essential at the table, so too are those of older adults.

The Power of Lived Experience

Lived experience voices bring a unique and irreplaceable perspective to the table. They offer firsthand insights into the realities of aging and ageism, the challenges of navigating social systems, and the complexities of diverse life journeys. When we include these voices in conversations about policy, programs, and systems of care, we create solutions that are more effective, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all individuals.

Older Adults: Experts in Their Own Right

Older adults are not merely recipients of care; they are experts in their own right. Their lived experiences have equipped them with a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t, what is needed and what is missing. By valuing and amplifying their voices, we can tap into this wealth of knowledge and co-create solutions that truly serve the needs of aging populations today while creating pathways for future generations to age without fearing being silenced and ignored.

Creating a Brave, Safe Space for All Voices

To foster a culture that is purposefully brave and safe for all voices, we must actively combat ageism and other forms of discrimination that silence lived experience. This means:

  • Centering Lived Experience: Actively seeking out and prioritizing the perspectives of those who have lived through the issues we are addressing.
  • Listening with Humility: Approaching lived experience voices with respect, recognizing that their insights are invaluable and often hard-won. And, due to the insidious and pervasic nature of ageism, have been silenced and struggle to be heard.
  • Co-Creating Solutions: Involving individuals with lived experience in the design and implementation of programs and policies, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met for their benefit, not the systems.
  • Building Bridges: Fostering dialogue and collaboration between different generations and lived experiences, recognizing that we are stronger together.

Radical Bold Aging: Amplifying Lived Experience

Radical Bold Aging, which champions the empowerment and agency of older adults, aligns perfectly with the goal of centering lived experience. By recognizing older adults as experts in our own lives, we are empowered to advocate for our needs, challenge ageist stereotypes (both our own and society’s), and actively participate in shaping the world around us.

The Challenge and the Reward

Creating brave, safe spaces for all voices, including those with lived experience, is an ongoing commitment. It requires us to confront our own biases, actively seek out diverse perspectives, and challenge systems that perpetuate exclusion. But the rewards are immeasurable. When we embrace the power of lived experience, we build a stronger, more compassionate, and more equitable society for all.

So, the question remains: How safe is your voice?

Let’s make safety the foundation of our conversations, across generations and lived experiences, and build a world where everyone’s voice can truly be heard, valued, and respected.

Blame Game: Aging Brain or Modern Life? What’s Behind Your Shrinking Attention Span

Posted on by
4

Remember when you could lose yourself in a good book for hours? Or watch a movie without checking your phone? If those days seem distant, you’re not alone. Research suggests our attention spans are indeed shrinking.

In one study, the average person’s focus lasted a mere 8 seconds before switching – shorter than a goldfish! More recent findings put us at 47 seconds, a far cry from the 2.5 minutes measured just twenty years ago.

What’s really going on with my aging brain?

In the digital whirlwind of our world today, it’s easy to fear that our brains are showing the wear and tear of modern life. But by reclaiming our focus, we can counter those fears and age with grace and intention. Because, let’s face it. It’s not all about our aging brains. Along with the accessibility of digital information, when you throw in the stress of a pandemic, it’s no wonder our attention spans are feeling the strain. We’re constantly bombarded with news updates, TikTok trends, and notifications galore. This constant stream of notifications and content are training our brains to crave novelty and quick hits of information. Our brains are practically being rewired to jump from one thing to the next, always seeking the next quick hit of dopamine. It’s like we’re training ourselves to have the attention span of that goldfish!

But there’s hope. As we age, many of us yearn for a slower pace, for the ability to savour moments and be present. Strengthening our attention span is a vital step in that direction.

Five Simple Practices to Reclaim Your Focus

  1. Embrace Mindfulness: Daily mindfulness practice, like meditation or journaling (with pen and paper!), can train your brain to stay in the present moment.
  2. Spend Time in Nature: Leave your phone behind and immerse yourself in the natural world. Simply observing the sights and sounds can be incredibly calming and restorative.
  3. Ditch the Devices (Sometimes): Yes, it can be scary to disconnect, but the rewards are worth it. Challenge yourself to leave your phone at home for a few hours and rediscover the joys of real-world experiences.
  4. Engage in Long-Form Activities: Read a whole book, listen to a long-form podcast, write a letter – activities that require sustained focus can rewire your brain for deeper engagement.
  5. Practice Self-Compassion: Don’t beat yourself up if your mind wanders. Building new habits takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and keep at it.

Aging with Grace and Focus

As we age, the fear of mental decline is not uncommon, but it doesn’t have to be our reality. By actively nurturing our attention span, as well as our overall well-being through exercise, diet and lifelong learning, we can counter those fears and live each day with intention and clarity.

What are you doing to keep your mind sharp and engaged? Share your tips in the comments below!

Which Path Will You Choose?

Posted on by
4

Perhaps one day, you’ll stand at a crossroads, faced with a choice of which path to take. To the left, the road less travelled, obscured by mist and mystery. To the right, the well-worn path, visible with its straight lines and predictability. You see its potholes and debris, but you know you can navigate them. You’ve done it before. Why would tomorrow be any different?

As you stand at this crossroads, you glance back at the road behind and see all you’ve been through to get here: trials, tribulations, and traumas. So many hardships. They weigh heavy on your heart, but like the road, they are familiar, so you hold onto them.

Standing at the crossroads, staring at the past, you tally up the years behind, noting they outnumber the years ahead. Dare you choose a different path?

You gaze into the distance of the unknown path to the left, shrouded in mist, and then to the one you know so well to the right. Both will lead to the end of the road. But which to choose? The path to the left, full of adventure, mystery, and wonder, or the right, where predictability offers the ease you tell yourself you deserve.

Perhaps, in your indecision, you’ll look again at the path behind you. Instead of trials and tribulations, you’ll see mountains climbed, stumbles and falls over which you triumphed, and lessons learned that enriched your journey. You’ve traveled this road, falling and rising, again and again, until you arrived at this moment where you must choose: to carry the burdens of the past that weigh you down but feel so familiar, or to stand in your brilliance and celebrate your strength hard-won, courage earned, and resilience gathered on the journey.

Which will you choose?

I hope you honour your brilliance. I hope you recognize that through every hardship and triumph, you have grown stronger, more powerful, more vibrant, and magnificent. It is this truth that has brought you to this moment, where you stand at the crossroads of the future, deciding which path to take.

Which will you choose? The road most travelled? Or the unknown path, where your heart dances and your soul sings the songs of the wild. Which will you choose?

art and words by Louise Gallagher ©2024

Not Aging, Becoming: Choosing Celebration Over Limitation

Posted on by
3

Over the years, I’ve shared my thoughts on various issues through newspaper Opinion Editorials (OpEd). While many have focused on social concerns like homelessness and domestic violence, I’ve recently turned my attention to the topic of aging.

My first piece on aging in the Calgary Herald, “For Baby Boomers still working, you have nothing to fear but your own insecurities,” focused on being an older adult returning to the workforce. “Defying Age, Embracing Audacity: A Senior’s Manifesto,” my latest OpEd on aging, is aimed at celebrating the contributions of older adults and to challenge the notion that our value diminishes with time.

Being a senior myself, I refuse to believe that crossing an invisible age line signifies the end of our contributions. We have so much more to offer!

Recently, while being interviewed for a podcast about career transitions, I was surprised to hear a woman in her early 40s express feelings of irrelevance associated with her age. It struck me that perhaps we, as a society, are prematurely imposing limitations on ourselves.

Why do we create mountains out of aging, as if each passing year necessitates a decrease in self-worth? We lament the difficulties of getting older, reinforcing the notion that ‘aging is hard’. Perhaps, rather than focus on aging, we should focus on the challenges and joys inherent in being human, regardless of age.

The challenge is, the older we get, the more we seem to congregate in pools of anxiety about our accumulating years, shrinking the vast ocean of possibilities into a puddle of perceived limitations.

What if, instead, we chose to celebrate? To embrace our beauty, our flaws, our triumphs, and our tribulations? What if we reframed aging? Rather than it being a process of diminishment we choose to celebrate it as The Art of Becoming More Fully Human?

Imagine reaching the summit of life’s mountain not with a sack of regrets filling our arms, but with arms wide open, ready to cross over into the vast unknown with a heart full of wonder and gratitude, screaming as we take the leap, “Thank you Life! What a Ride!”

Let’s not let age define us. Let’s celebrate the journey of becoming.

Namaste