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Archive for October, 2009
There’s something very comforting about familiar surroundings & that’s how I feel here in Paharganj, New Delhi at the hotel we stayed at on our way home two years ago (referred by a cafe owner in Varanasi). I ran into the hotel owner a while ago, a former 2nd generation vegetable vendor, born right here in Paharganj, turned hotelier, turned philanthropist, and he remembered us. Brij was dressed in white from head to toe in the traditional men’s Indian garments of long tunic & loose pants. He remembered us.
It feels good to be here, a bit like coming home. We arrived in the middle of the night & everything flowed easily through immigration, “health check” (a form we filled out to help cull people in contact with H1N1), & baggage pickup. The hustle & bustle was absent in the night & that was helpful when one has been up for over 30 hours.
I see things a bit differently this time, but I know I’ll never really ‘get’ the mindset of India, informed by the Hindu religion & by the hugeness of the population. But I understand better that there are several people at the hotel, for instance, doing small aspects of a single job function. And that I need to let them ‘wait on me’ – to not let them deliver my water bottles to my room is depriving them of needed work. A bit hard to relax into for me, a western woman used to doing for herself, one brought up by a 1st generation immigrant to Canada whose own mother went to London from Wales at age 14 to work in the ‘below stairs’ kitchen of a wealthy family.
It’s Diwali, the major 3 day festival of lights, later this week, a fortunate time to be here in Delhi.
All for now as my jet lagged, humidity-challenged body needs to stop thinking!
I’m going on sabbatical for a while to recharge and soak in more impressions of India in preparation for writing my next book in the MidLife Balance Series. This trip will be a different one; we’ll be more immersed in the Tibetan Indian culture, with volunteer English tutoring, attending Budhist teachings, and spending time with our Tibetan friends. I also hope to take some yoga classes and Indian vocal lessons.
The launch of Surviving Eldercare has kept our team very busy over the past few months. The internet radio shows and the local tv show are completed for now. The media appearances have been a steep learning curve, but also very enjoyable for me. While I’m away my highly skilled team members, Jill and Terri will answer any queries about book purchases or book promotion.
It’s a challenge to step out of our daily life for a period of time. For me there’s the dual aspects of my responsibility to my business and my clients, to my family and my friends (some of who are ailing), plus the myriad details involved in the preparation. I feel more settled about leaving my mother this time, despite the fact that she has slipped down another level in her Alzheimer’s deterioration. (This happens about once a year, then Mom plateaus for a long time.) Maybe I’m more used to leaving her now, perhaps something’s shifted in me. I also find it hard to be far away from my daughter, naturally, even though she’s a highly competent adult. I’m sure the ‘only child syndrome’ has something to do with it!
We’re stepping forward into the unknown for the next little while and who knows what we will discover there. One thing I’m quite certain of is that it will involve a lot of internal shifting as our western worldview is nudged.
Midlife. Don’t ya love it? The body is sliding south, the hormones are raging, your emotional life is a wreck, and worst of all, you suddenly find yourself looking for meaning and purpose in your life! Oy vey!
There is an enormous fear of growing older, becoming infirm, depending on others to take care of us. We watch our elderly parents with their health issues, financial issues and wonder if we’re destined for the same path.
Anything is possible, but if we spend our lives in the Kingdom of Worrydom, we will be old before our time.
I like to say ‘it’s not about age; it’s about attitude!’ and the best attitude is a positive approach to life. We take care of our health by eating and drinking moderately and paying attention to the quality of food that goes into our bodies. We show up to moderate exercise three times a week or more, which doesn’t mean running a marathon, unless it’s something you really want to do. And most importantly, we take care of our minds.
It’s never too late to teach an old broad new tricks. Study opens up the mind and keep your brain active. A steady diet of television will ruin you quicker than you can say Rip Van Winkle. Take classes, join a group, travel and explore new parts of the world, or your neighborhood. There is a wealth of possibilities waiting for you that don’t have to cost you money.
Make time to be with the people you care for most. This is an important element of growing older. Studies have shown that married people live longer than single people, but single people who congregate with friends on a regular basis are just as satisfied and experience longevity. Isolation kills spontaneity and depression is high, so get out more and find something that interests you.
Getting older doesn’t mean losing your faculties. Instead, look at is as a time when you have more time for you. It’s your turn. Take advantage of it. This is no time for fear. This is a time for freedom. Learn to trust you have all you need, right now.
About Jacqueline Wales
Jacqueline Wales is known the world over as The Black Belt Millionaire. Her unique programs have helped women around the globe develop strong personal success, confident communication and clear visions of their goals. She is the author of five books including The Fearless Factor and you can sign up for a free report at http://www.thefearlessfactorbook.com/signup.html
To get YOUR copy of The Fearless Factor visit https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3392398
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