Time for You
Happy New Year!Update from Martha Johnson
Hi There!  
Dale's Martha
 

Thanks for being one of a number who have attended a class, a reading, bought a book and generally expressed interest in what I am up to.  I'm continuing to experiment with ways to keep in touch with people who seem to be curious about what I am doing and those who are nourished with "do what you love" conversations. You are receiving my very first "newsletter."

Martha's Signature 

So what am I up to?
 
In January, I  turn 72. You'd think I might be slowing down, and yes I am.  On the other hand, I'm curious about my own place in the wild world we inhabit these days.  And my own admonition to continue to "do what I love" is also alive and well in my spirit. 
   

As most of you know, many years ago, due to illness, I left a formal working life and business that I loved and took a health time-out. Now 10 years later, I find myself fascinated with how much technology has changed the way business is done.  To the extent my energy allows, I'm eager to get back in the game and master some of this internet stuff. So here I am.

 

From the vantage point of an older person and clarity coach,  I'm starting to notice the number of 55+ and even 65+ folks who find themselves a bit confused and untethered facing the end of their formal career lives. Although they admit to feeling somewhat afraid and confused, they are definitely not without the energy and skill to make a significant contribution.  And they want to do so.  This may be an important life transition (the retirement conundrum) where I can offer some assistance.  Hey, I've already "rehearsed" the aging process. And "how can I be useful? is a familiar question.
The 10-year rehearsal
 
At age 57, with an unwelcome diagnosis, I was given an early career-ending-entry into the "next stage of life."  Up to that point, I wasn't really thinking about slowing down. I was still, in my own mind,  an invulnerable being.  My peers and I were in our working primes.    Suddenly I was forced out of primetime.   I found myself unable to work, started using a cane, taking my naps, and otherwise starting to adjust to what most of us will ultimately face- slower mobility, reduced energy for work or play, some cognitive confusion.  It wasn't easy.  Fortunately, due to persistence and some therapeutic breakthroughs, I've reclaimed both energy and more importantly my mind. I've written 3 books about the journey to stay engaged with life. 
Keeping going, keeping going

What I have loved to do lifelong is to generate important questions for myself and others, those who seek to craft their lives around what matters to them.  As I look at what I can offer to those entering their senior/elder phase and starting to contemplate their own mortality, it seems that three of those questions have particular relevance.   And they seem to be showing up among the elders with frequency-- and some fear.

  • "What kind of life do I really want to be living?" 
  • "What matters to me most at this time in my life?" 
  • "What kind of legacy do I want to leave?" 

So why am I reaching out you?

 

To tell the truth, I'm dipping my toe into this technology so I can more easily stay in touch with people of all ages who deal with life as "a journey"  and who want to stay in touch with me. Time for You is becoming my virtual sanctuary for taking time to reflect on these important life journey questions. I welcome the company of those who find these inquiries juicy and who seek support in uncovering their own answers.

 

What I'd like from you

  1. Please stay around for a while. But only if you would like to keep hearing from me from time to time. (You get a front row seat for one woman's willingness to be a beginner in mastering the internet complexities.)  Be assured that you can always unsubscribe at any time.   
  2. Subscribe, for free. If you have found my conversational writing style and topics useful, you can subscribe to the RSS feeds at Time for You, and the sister site,  Why Not Do What You Love?  There, I continue to blog about life journey topics that intrigue me, as I have been doing for the past year. You can register on line comments at any time as I publish all on-point responses and hope to receive more. Your questions and comments spur my creative juices to think more deeply and offer more value. Free stuff (links, exercises, articles to download) will be offered as I learn more about how to do so.  
  3. Invite your friends or relatives who are pondering a life stage transition and want to gain clarity on the path forward, to come to visit. The door to Time for You is always open.  The space within will ultimately be populated with what seems to be needed and what will be fun, primarily for those wise and self-reliant women over 50, eager to sort through any temporary confusion about what's next.   

Finally, Happy New Year to All.  Do take some "time for you" this month.

  

P.S.  Please don't forget about "the book" for any left over gift giving needs.   Why Not do What You Love?  An Invitation to Calling and Contribution in a World Hungry for Your Gifts is a perfect New Year gift for any age. If your intended recipient is not inclined to life reflection, it conveniently regifts itself with ease.  Available from my websites, from any bookstore, and from Amazon.com.