What I would tell my younger self

#1     Loosen up! Life is full of good and bad surprises. So get ready for them. It’s like a downhill ski run with moguls and reduced visibility. You have to keep your knees soft and loose and just keep going.

#2     Take your shot. There’s that often-quoted line by Wayne Gretzky (I can’t believe I’m using a sports quote!) He said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” So, take your shot, whatever that is. Change careers, go back to school, retire early, don’t retire! Just because you’ve always been in the background, doesn’t mean you have to stay there!

#3     Stand up for yourself. Contrary to what you were taught, it’s okay to be proud of yourself and to state your accomplishments. Don’t let other people take credit for your good ideas and hard work. In fact, you can set an example for others to follow. Hah!

#4     State your Age Proudly. Not everyone has the privilege of growing up or growing old so be grateful. You aren’t worth less because you can’t have babies anymore. How will society ever discover how amazing older women can be if we pretend to be younger than we are?

#5    Stop wasting time. This one is pretty obvious. Don’t wait for the perfect time to follow your dreams. “When the kids are older” or “when we have more money.” Meanwhile, life accelerates with every passing year. So, audition now. Book your tickets today. Because the future is not guaranteed and there will never be a perfect time.

#6     Join the fools. If you avoid looking foolish, you will have a boring life. Learn a language. Take up fencing. Join a rock band. Those fools are the ones having the most fun!

No more excuses - get off your butt and go DO SOMETHING!