It was a dream. Maybe deep down I’ve always wanted to share my truths with others? What does “sharing one’s truth” even mean? It sounds kind of hippy dippy. But that phrase has spiritual undertones to me.

I thought at one point about going to divinity school and getting ordained. I’m drawn to the spiritual, but not necessarily the religious. My form of prayer is meditation, writing, or even sculpting. 

Those “Aha” Moments Are Gold

It’s in those moments I experience those elusive “aha” moments, when a wisp of a thought or revelation permeates my overactive brain. Those prayer moments occur when it’s quiet and I’m focused on something other than the dishwasher or cleaning up dog vomit. It’s in those moments I access something bigger than myself. I’m grateful for those moments of inspiration.

Years of Blog Posts Evolved into the Publication of a Book

Many of these moments informed a book I wrote. Be Brave. Lose the Beige! Finding Your Sass After Sixty has just been published by She Writes Press and comprises years of blog posts I’ve written. Topics range from Empty Nest Syndrome, Boomerang Kids, Retired Husband Syndrome, the Glories of Grandparenting, and increasingly about caregiving and aging issues.

The giant comma provided by the pandemic gave me just enough of a pause to actually sit down to compile my book. Sequestering in place, I had no excuse but to execute a dream I’d had for many years. But let me tell you, it was hard.

Years ago, I considered pursuing an MFA (Masters of Fine Arts). When my daughter received her MFA seven years ago, I guess maybe that gave me a pass. One in the family was enough. So, I chose the book path instead. I lived through my children’s book project and dissertation and watched as their advisors threw draft after draft back into their laps.

I felt somewhat like that as my publisher and editor relentlessly returned drafts dominated by red track changes. My shoulders would sag as I faced hours of re-writes. I came to understand that writing is really re-writing.

The fun of writing that first draft dissipates as the editor’s aggressive red pen critiques those alliterations and pithy asides you thought were so clever. But I’m grateful. I heard it said that a good editor is worth their weight in gold. I am happy to say my editor falls in that category.

A Grand Event: My Book Launch!

The culminating event was my book bash. A wonderful indie bookstore in Winter Park hosted my launch at Quantum Leap Winery in Orlando. I crafted an E-vite billing the event as a book launch and birthday bash since my 70th birthday is imminent. The book launch was exactly how I wanted to commemorate my milestone birthday.

I discouraged my children from attending, as I wanted to be able to focus on each moment of my celebration – without distractions. And I did. I was told at least 80 people attended; 100 books were sold that night. I was anxious about speaking in front of a crowd of people I respect and admire.

I have looked up to many of the women who were present in the audience (yes the crowd was largely comprised of women the age of my book’s target audience). Now they were literally looking up at me as I stood before them, microphone in hand. 

My Audience Mirrored the Title of My Book

I looked out on to a crowd bedecked in turquoise, magenta, chartreuse, and tangerine as my guests mirrored the title of my book. I’ll probably never speak in front of such a loving and supportive crowd again, as these people I love so much laughed at my lame jokes and beamed their love at me with their heart laser guns.

My friend Ann FaceTimed with my precious daughter so she could share in my moment. I was so humbled and honored. As long as I have a memory, I will be grateful for that moment.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is there something you have always dreamed of doing? If so, what is that dream and how can you fulfill it?

Photo: @lisabarlow14

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Tan Tie Front Wrap Dress

Originally posted at: Gina Kirschenheiter’s Black and White Striped Pajamas

Have you spent years trying to improve your health? Have you tried all of the latest fad diets and exercise programs to date? Do you have a cupboard full of expired supplements that cost hundreds of dollars, only to find they didn’t provide the miracle cure they claimed?

In our digital world of information overload, it’s easy to over complicate simple things. We tend to get caught up in the newest products that quote isolated research studies and have fancy marketing tactics. All the while, what we really need to focus on are the basics!

Even the most expensive workout program, the cleanest diet, and the fanciest supplements will never work if you are neglecting the foundational practices of health. It’s time for you, and everyone else, to go back to the basics and keep things simple.

Go Back to the Basics with These 6 Daily Habits

You can try all of the most expensive potions, lotions, and programs, but if you are not practicing the following 6 foundations of health on a daily basis, it is very unlikely that you will ever succeed in improving your long-term health. Not only are these 6 foundational practices the basis of long-term health, they are also completely FREE!

Eat Real, Whole Foods Including a Wide Variety of Vegetables

Minimize packaged and processed foods in your diet as much as possible. If you “don’t like vegetables,” then you need to find a way to like them or you need to find ways to sneak a lot of them into your diet in any way possible. There is absolutely NO getting around this. If you want to be healthy, a large part of your diet must consist of vegetables.

Get Your Body Moving on a Daily Basis

We as humans were not meant to sit in a chair for several hours per day. We were meant to move. I understand that many people are required to sit for several hours per day for their jobs, but it is necessary that you find a way to get at least 7,000 steps per day.

If you are unable to walk that much due to physical inability, you need to find another way to move your body such as on a bike, an elliptical, or an upper body ergometer.

Sleep for at Least 7 Hours Per Night

Adequate sleep is critical for our health. Nothing can replace sleep. Sleep provides our body and our organs (including our brain) with an opportunity to detoxify, regenerate, and self-clean. While some people can get away with 7 hours per night, many people require upwards of 9 hours of sleep per night for good health.

Fast for at Least 12 Hours Overnight, Every Night

In other words, do not consume any calories for a 12-hour period overnight. For example, if you finish dinner at 7pm, do not consume any food (except water or herbal tea) until at least 7am the next morning. Our bodies are not meant to have 24/7 access to food.

Fasting is an extremely powerful practice that allows for regeneration and is vital for our cellular health and metabolism. While some people may benefit from longer fasts, longer is not always better. However, almost everyone will benefit from fasting for 12 hours overnight, every night.

Manage Stress by Practicing Proper Breathing

Stress has the ability to negatively affect every single aspect of our health. Although we cannot avoid stress, we can certainly learn to manage our response to it. The absolute best and quickest way to decrease the negative effects of stress is to practice proper breathing.

Breathing correctly and strategically is extremely powerful for pulling our nervous system out of a stress-based state and into a more relaxed state that allows for health and healing. There are tons of videos on YouTube about diaphragmatic breathing and meditation – check them out.

Embrace a Positive Attitude

Better health cannot be achieved if you don’t believe that you are capable of achieving it. Our physiology is intricately connected to our thoughts and our feelings. It may sound cliché, but the first step to getting well is believing that you can. Do not underestimate the power of your mind.

Do whatever you can to surround yourself with positivity in your life – this may include changing what you watch, what you listen to, what you read, and who you surround yourself with. Limiting negativity will help you to decrease your stress level at the same time!

Knowing Does Not Equal Doing

These 6 foundational practices may sound simple and obvious, but ask yourself this: are you ACTUALLY doing these 6 things? And are you doing them at least 6 days out of 7?

Be honest with yourself. If you are having trouble establishing these 6 foundational practices in your life, I suggest finding an accountability partner or joining a coaching program such as my 12 Weeks to Well program.

Whatever you decide to do, taking control of your health is in your own hands. So, commit to these 6 foundational practices and enjoy a healthy life!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you practice these 6 foundational rules of health? Which of these 6 rules do you find hardest to follow? Which of these practices has made the biggest difference in the trajectory of your health? Do you have someone in your life who helps to hold you accountable to your health goals?

Originally posted at: Tamra Judge’s Neon Yellow Shorts