I woke to what looked like a flash-frozen world after an unexpected snowstorm left trees bathed in white against an opaque sky. This morning, as flakes continue to fall, the absence of wind casts a stillness over the land that makes for a hypnotic delight.

These are the moments of peace and pleasure I tuck away for safekeeping—building blocks of resilience that help me stay hopeful and strong during tumultuous times. I also lean on wise friends. I’m grateful to belong to a group of women who recognize the value of processing life together. From cold water swimming in the dead of winter to facing challenges with health, work, and aging, we’ve learned that we can handle anything when we stick together. That’s the power of community.

This is what I’m thinking about as I sit here writing while my cats, Berty and Wednesday, race around the house like tiny cars fueled by caffeine. Now and then, an unexpected crash occurs and I smile at how their behavior imitates life. We never know when the next ball will drop and that’s why we need each other.

Recently, I’ve been speaking with a couple of producers about a podcast that explores the Wisdom Years. I’m passionate about making the rest of my life the best of my life, and I’m considering hosting a series of conversations about what that means. Some of these discussions would be filled with ways to experience more peace despite what’s happening in the world, how to free ourselves from the unwanted responsibilities that steal our precious energy, or what we need to do to feel more alive in our midlife and post-midlife years. Others would meander into the tougher aspects of aging – facing the loss of loved ones, confronting our mortality so we can use it to inspire positive change, or how best to prepare ourselves for comfort and joy in the face of potential decline.

It’s an idea in progress and, in the spirit of community, I’d love for you to join the conversation. These are challenging times, and we all benefit from joining forces to support one another. To that end, I’ll be hosting a coaching gathering this Thursday, 2/6, at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT/8 pm GMT) on Zoom to talk about it all. If you’d like to join us, you can sign up for the Zoom link here.

The spots are limited due to Zoom constraints and joining is free. I’ll record the gathering for those who can’t make it and share the link in a future blog. Simply bring an open mind, a curious heart, and anything you’d like support with, and we’ll get the conversation started!

Love,

Cheryl

P.S. – My audio program, Self Care for the Wisdom Years, can be found here.