I Ain't Settlin'

Time flies. I'm thinking about time today primarily because, whether I want to or not, I am now another year older. And it's one of those monumental anniversaries we tend to dread because assigning these numbers to ourselves makes us feel old.

The strangeness of this only increases when I consider that I don't feel old - at all. In fact, I can't remember when I felt younger or more alive.

I remember clearly my mom telling me once that she no longer recognized the woman looking back at her in the mirror. She told me she still felt like an 18 year old girl. She was 75 at the time. I must be alot like my mom because I'm starting to see that same woman in the mirror. She can't possibly be me - because I still feel like I'm 18.

I also attribute my young-at-heart attitude to my uncompromising sense of adventure (also a gift from my amazing mom). When faced with the possibility of losing my beautiful home to foreclosure due to a  job layoff - I opted to let go and let God. I put my home on the market - and sold it within a month. I then put all my memories and possessions into storage and accepted my sister-in-law's invitation to experience life as a Texan. I made a choice to not be a victim of circumstances but to instead embrace change as a gift and this move as a great adventure. And that has made all the difference. It is of course impossible to imagine what would have happened had I not accepted the invitation to move west. I do however know what I would have missed out on had I wimped out and decided to stay put:

I would have never met the phenomenal people I now count among my closest friends
I would not be sharing my life and having a great time with my loving and supportive sister
I would not have had the privilege of learning to ride my horse from one of the most exceptional coaches I have ever met (she has also become a close friend.)
I would not have found my dream horse
I would have missed out on the beauty and majesty of a Texas sunset
I would probably not be a big fan of country music
I would certainly not be sharing my life with 5 dogs
I would not own, much less wear a collection of cowgirl boots
I would not have had the opportunity to learn how important it is to integrate mind, body and spirit and to figure out how to do it
I would never have experienced the pockets of beauty that a big city keeps hidden from outsiders
And I would still be livinig my small life in a small town with dreams unfulfilled.

What if I had not accepted life's invitation to join in the dance? Well, I'm actually too busy working, mingling, learning, networking, volunteering, riding, exercising, praying, playing with my horse and gazing at the beauty that currently surrounds me to think about it much.

I'm just glad I took action and made the leap. 60? Bring it on baby! I can't wait to see what other surprises life has in store for me. Because of this I am certain - I ain't settlin' for anything less than everything - a truly Texan state of mind!