Dare Boldly: No matter your age

I am of that demographic often referred to as ‘Baby Boomers,’ I believe it’s time for a rebrand. Let’s step into the spotlight as the ‘Take a BOW Generation’ — a community that celebrates being Bolder, Older, Wiser.

Society often paints aging as a decline, a burdensome journey of diminishing strength and fading vitality. While it’s true that our bodies evolve with age, this narrative overlooks the profound capacity we have to contribute, regardless of the years under our belts. We can still enact change, influence perspectives, and champion new ideas that dismantle the myth of age as a harbinger of only limitations.

As members of the BOW Generation, we have the power to defy these stereotypes. Let’s assume center stage in our lives, taking a bow for our accumulated triumphs and persisting in our drive to contribute and foster transformation. In doing so, we pave the way towards a world that’s fairer, more just, and equitable for all. A world that doesn’t see aging as a barrier to contributing but an integral part of changing the world.

Because, let’s face it, age is only a barrier if we make it one. Fact is, age is simply a measure of time. As yesterday’s post suggested, the significance of the adage ‘age being just a number’ lies not in the figure itself, but in the experiences and legacies we craft with it.

I invite you to be part of the BOW Generation movement. Celebrate the boldness, the wisdom, and the insights that come with age. Share these gifts joyfully, contributing to a world that embraces every stage of life. Let’s leverage our passion, talents, and unwavering commitment to excel and create impactful, lasting contributions.

I hope you join me. I hope you too — Embrace your age. Share your wisdom. Make your mark.

Today, and every day, let’s be Bolder, Older, and Wiser together.

I hope you’re with me — I’m not ready to bow out yet. I am ready to take a BOW for all I’ve achieved. I hope you are too! I hope you are ready to keep stepping into the spotlight of all that’s yet to come with an open heart and mind!

Namaste

This woman appeared as the November woman for last year’s She Dares Boldly calendar which I’m using to emphasize the quote the muse awoke this morning to go with this post: *Woven into the tapestry of life’s highs and lows, a woman’s essence blooms, as vibrant as roses intertwined with wings of change.*

It’s been quite some time—over a year, in fact—since I last contributed a video to my Dare Boldly: No Matter Your Age video series. The last episode was last year on October 22.

As my birthday looms on the horizon, however, and as I delve deeper into the complexities of aging within our youth-centric society, I find myself reflecting on the significance of raising our voices. There is immeasurable value in every woman’s story as we collectively embark on this crucial journey, learning to embrace bravery and boldness at any stage of life.

The reminder about the series however, came yesterday evening when I had the pleasure of meeting with a remarkable group of women, all members of Calgary’s longest-running women’s book club. Established in 1976, this group convenes ten times a year to engage in thoughtful discussions about the selected book of the month. Notably, one of the attendees has been a dedicated member since the club’s inception.

These women are not only avid readers, but also independent thinkers—progressive, reflective, and deeply curious about life’s myriad questions, contradictions, and possibilities.

I am honored to have been invited as the guest speaker for their annual Christmas gathering at the end of November. Last night’s meeting served a dual purpose: to discuss my upcoming presentation and their expectations, and to provide me an opportunity to familiarize myself with them prior to addressing the larger group. This larger assembly comprises seven book clubs, each with ten members, totaling seventy women representing a diverse range of ages.

The founding group, with whom I had the pleasure of meeting, consists of women who, like me, are gracefully navigating the complexities of being a woman of a ‘certain’ age. Together, we have created homes, forged careers, and nurtured our families. We have embraced the joys and challenges of becoming grandmothers and, for some of us, taken on the significant responsibilities of caring for partners and parents.

Like my own journey, their lives have been marked by love both found and lost, by the profound grief of losing loved ones, and by the courage to embark on new beginnings. We have navigated endings and weathered life’s fluctuating highs and lows, all while striving to deepen our understanding of our true selves. In the process, we have learned to live authentically, remaining steadfast to our core values and our shared humanity.

As I departed from our meeting, having shared a glimpse of what I plan to discuss later this month, I was profoundly moved by the richness and fullness of these women’s lives. Each individual is fascinating in her own right, and together, they form a captivating and vibrant collective. Many of these women have been part of this book club for several years, fostering a circle characterized by intimacy, companionship, and mutual support.

My friend, who kindly recommended me as this year’s Christmas bash speaker, took a moment to tell the group about my video series, “Dare Boldly: No Matter Your Age.”

This interaction served as both a reminder and an invitation, prompting me to set up my lights and camera this morning to record the 37th episode of the series.