A Robin's View

Spotlight- #reverb15

2015-12-08T23:47:00.000+00:00

Go on, show us your selfie! You know you want to.

If you've been a part of Reverb before, you know that this is the bit where I invite you to share your favourite photo of yourself from the year (selfie or otherwise).

I avoid taking selfies on principle. Most of my photos are of other people. My favourite photos from 2015 feature family members or friends beside me. I chose to post this particular picture because it was a colorful, carefree moment last summer. Having FUN is a priority in my life, and this image captures our light-hearted mood!

Surprise- #Reverb15

2015-12-04T14:31:00.002+00:00

What surprised you this year?

Last winter my partner, with the help of a good friend of mine, threw a surprise birthday party for me at our local pub. We had just finished a romantic dinner at a nearby restaurant. I wanted nothing more than to linger over my glass of wine while enjoying my boyfriend's company. I suspected something was up because he couldn't stop fidgeting and checking his phone.

My plan was to quietly ease into the next decade without much fuss. To be honest, I didn't want to draw attention to this particular milestone. After all, I was still adjusting to the idea of approaching midlife. My actual age doesn't reflect how I feel. I have a lot of energy and I'm physically as fit as I was in my 20's. It doesn't help me to accept my age when people mistake me for being at least 10 years younger. When strangers ask if my oldest son is my brother, I'm sometimes tempted to play along.

In light of this, imagine my surprise when we walked into the pub and everyone jumped out singing Happy Birthday. I was photographed looking dazed and confused beside a large cake bearing my name with the big four-o etched in the icing. Within minutes photos were posted on to social media, announcing to all and sundry that I had indeed turned forty. I couldn't have been happier.

Some may say it's only a number, but that's simply not true. I've noticed big shifts within myself since that cold January night. My hair is beginning to turn grey, spider veins are increasing, and my laugh lines have slightly deepened. These external differences are admittedly minor, but some of the physical changes are more significant. "The change" is looming ahead. Every time I see a newborn, I'm aware that my childbearing days are nearly over. My 3 children are quickly growing up. I'll never experience their childhoods again. I'm proud of the people they are becoming, but I miss those early years, despite how exhausted I felt during most of it.

By the time I graduated from college, I was already the mother of a small baby. For a long time I dreamed of freedom. I looked forward to my kids growing up so I could travel and pursue other ambitions. It's ironic... now that my home is filled with teenagers on the verge of independence, I frequently dream of the most gorgeous, soft, cuddly babies. Admittedly it's a relief to wake up and realise there are no diapers to change. Yet some part of me wishes I could do it all over again. Age has a funny way of playing tricks on us. When we're young, we imagine the lives we wish we could have. When we're older, we realise that we had what we needed all along, it just wasn't so clear at the time.

Perhaps that's just my experience.

Surprisingly I've grown to love being forty. I've stepped into my power as a woman. I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I trust my judgement. I know and accept myself. I care less about what others think of me. I've learned to cope with heartbreak and loss; grief won't kill me, and my scars have their own kind of beauty. Even the mistakes I've made have been a gift. Failure has led me to deeper understanding. I'm grateful for every twist, turn, and misstep I've made because they have brought me here, to this precious moment. Thank you for sharing it with me.

For the month of December I will be participating in #reverb15. If you're interested in learning more or receiving prompts such as the one I explored today, click here.

Lists and Prayers #reverb15

2015-12-01T13:17:00.000+00:00

What sort of lists do you have on the go at the moment? What do they suggest you are praying for?

Help my son pack for his upcoming transatlantic move!

let go gracefully

Practice yoga, journal, and read inspirational books such as Thomas Moore’s classic.

care of the soul

Commit to craft projects… Finish knitting my daughter’s Christmas gift. Move on to handmade felt and sewing projects in the New Year.

creativity

Prepare for teaching new dance-fitness programs I plan to launch in January

prosperity

Try cooking one new healthy recipe a week.

nourishment

Write my annual family newsletter to post with Christmas cards.

enduring friendships

Home improvements: redecorate... paint, take out the old carpet and put down wood floors, print and frame recent family photos, put up the holiday decorations

*resume reading & implementing The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up*

beauty & tranquillity

Plan a kid-free weekend away with my partner.

romance

Find thoughtful presents for my loved ones this festive season.

joyfulness

Research and discover an interesting course to enrol in next year.

inspiration

For the month of December I will be participating in #reverb15. If you're interested in learning more or receiving prompts such as the one I explored today, click here. Big thanks to Kat McNally for bringing us all together once more!