Let’s live and not fear

As life would have it…we have lost some truly beautiful souls recently. The Queen. Not much has gone unsaid, that I would need to add. I, like the rest of us, remain in awe of the outpouring of love and compassion her majesty's passing has created. It's no surprise, just another confirmation of how we, whether you believe in the monarchy or not, can't help but respect the commitment of her life to her duty. My naive self hopes that she is with Phillip looking down and smiling and feeling content that she mattered. I really wonder if any of us are ever aware of how much the ones around us love us? I don't think we do, I don't think we tell each other enough... Did the Queen? I hope so. Another life I ponder. Olivia Newton John. Yes, a contrast to the Queen, but what I find fascinating is the path Olivia Newton John took after her third diagnosis with cancer. I read that she chose to not find out how much time she had left on earth. Why? Because she didn’t want to ruin what was left, however long or short. She didn't want to live according to a timeline… but to live each day fully. I then thought, this is really how we should live our lives to begin with.

We ultimately will all die. It's a fact. We usually never know the date, so why compromise the quality with knowing the quantity? I think it may be even more intense when you know the clock is ticking louder and the time may be closer. I want to thank Olivia Newton John for taking this approach and by reading her story, it helped me rethink my life plan with more awareness. I don't have a circle on a calendar of my expiry date, but I am going to make sure I keep thinking of how I don't want to waste a moment.

My mother in contrast was not given a choice of finding out her timeline. The doctor told her in the office, “You have 3 months, get your things in order.” The ride home from that doctor's visit my mother said to me, “I will be dead by Christmas.” She was. I literally saw my mother dissolve in front of me within the exact three months she was given. No fight, no hope. I say this because something tells me if she was given hope or not that harsh news, then perhaps she would have not given up. I will never know, but I am very aware of how strong the mind can make or break you and dash your hopes and dreams if you let it. I know now not to accept anyone who wastes any precious moments on worthless thoughts. Perhaps the most positive takeaway is from the beautiful song, sung and written by Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying. Words are powerful. Your thoughts are powerful. Let's live and not fear. Xo

Why now???

I was recently sitting on the beach having light, airy conversation and was asked…

Why am I writing a blog?

Good question.

Not even sure I have the answer, but the question made me do some soul searching and for that I am grateful.

To be honest, I have thought of stopping… and then for whatever reason, I believe there is a purpose or I would not be sitting typing with my heart in my hand.

I started out on a quest to talk about the positive spin on living each year. It's not to focus on aging, but living, and to perhaps have some positive impact on the subject and shake up the conversation.

Just an honest look at the living process and something we all go through in some capacity or another in our lifetime.

When I started Beauty is Difference, just before COVID, there was very little chatter on the topic. That is why I was so passionate. Then COVID hit and we all stayed in and put our thoughts and feelings on Instagram and Facebook.

Everywhere I looked there was a new post encouraging those 40+ to grow out their hair, as grey is the new black.

So, I sat down recently and pondered…the topic of (aging) or as I like to call it, living - is saturated with positive, upbeat messages everywhere.

How exciting is this!!!

Then I thought…my work is done, no need for this girl's input, but then I realized something that I think everyone needs to ponder.

The world is a big, gorgeous piece of pie.

There is a slice for everyone.

Sometimes we watch a movie, read a book, hear a story or a song that is so powerful that it resonates with us. Sticks with us. Moves us. Changes us.

We see ourselves or our lives in the story or the song. That's the connection…but it's not every song on the radio, it’s a certain song or voice. It's a certain actor or person that brings the story to life for you.

We need different people to share these stories, to open up new conversations and add their perspective. Their voices matter, our voices matter.

That is what I realized…I am just a piece of the pie, the very big pie, that now has many advocates on the topic of how to live each year with grace.

How do we do this?

We do it together.

Everyone is going to bring their spin on it. That is the most glorious part of all of this. We each bring something to the table.

I have said in the past, in my early years there was just one cookie-cutter role model. If you didn't fit the version, you were on the outcast list.

Now I am happy to say, beauty is the difference, and everything and anything goes.

My personal cause of embracing each year and not being fearful of what is ahead is now a force that I am so honoured to take part in.

So to answer the question, why do I write the blog?

Because I am a piece of the pie. Because it’s about sharing our journey, connecting with each other, finding our voice and using it.