What will life look like…because of the “Optimism” post?

This week we are reviewing the 7/1/2023 post titled “Optimism”. We are looking for “takeaways” and then answering for our own selves the question, “What will life look like because of takeaways from that ‘Optimism’ post?” You can review that post by clicking here: Optimism Post 7/1/2023.

In last week’s post [“What Will Life Look Like…Because of Verna?”] I also talked about optimism, in that I found myself somewhat like husband Denny’s grandmother Verna, taking what life hands us and finding ways to “make it good”. My takeaway from THAT post was that I wanted to emulate Verna’s boldness and perseverance. But I went further, wanting to envision myself in God’s hands, trusting Him to give me sure footing in difficult times. I wanted to recognize that He is guiding me; I wanted to learn the lessons He wants me to learn; I wanted to be all HE wants me to be before He takes me home.

This week as I reread the Optimism post from a year ago last July, I see within that post another lesson from the Stockdale Paradox: “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end–which you can never afford to lose–with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” So in that post, I reviewed all that had happened and questioned myself to see if I was indeed confronting the “most brutal facts of my reality”. The “A-#1” brutal fact was that my husband had died. The brutal part was that he is with me no longer, but the positive part was that Denny’s suffering ceased. Additional positives: Den’s funeral led to a celebration of his life, and to a reviewing of the IMPACT he had on all of our lives.

Takeaways from the “Optimism” POST
I had ended the Optimism post with an acknowledgment that I wanted to be as “intentional about being influential” in my children’s and grandchildren’s lives as husband DENNY was. I thought (at that Optimism blogpost date) that I would find comfort in such a pursuit. Denny had incredible impact on us musically and spiritually. But I couldn’t BEGIN to add to such impact. In fact, my KIDS are doing a better job with that then I am. All of them are superb musicians at a level I never even hoped to achieve. And spiritually, they are teaching ME! Byron schedules bible studies and I sit amazed at the depth… I am nowhere close to making an impact other than with the impact of my body hitting the floor when I fall out of my chair from being so surprised at the depth of the bible studies! Hah!

So I am struggling to find a takeaway from the Optimism post, unless it would simply be…

• that I can enjoy this new humility…
• accepting where I am and doing the best I can with what I have…
• not trying to be something I try to make myself be, but instead to rest in what and where I am.
• I want to do my best to learn and grow but need to make sure I am not comparing myself with others, even with the “kids” [oops, they are all ADULTS now!].

So let me bring YOU–the reader–into this conversation: You and I are unique beings and have something to offer wherever we are in our lifetimes…and we will likely be greatly surprised at what is in store for us. So my takeaway for us all is to enjoy the trip. Let’s keep our eyes open and be amazed at life lessons yet to come.

What will Life Look Like NOW, because of what the OPTIMISM post encapsulates?
Gosh, after typing the above, I am already sitting up straighter, feeling a load lifted from my shoulders! Hahah! I didn’t know I was feeling so stressed about trying to be something I wasn’t. Once again, this writing is so therapeutic. I rarely know if anyone reads these. And that’s okay, since I am working out my own problems here. Writing is AMAZING therapy! However, I hope someone else WILL read these and find encouragement.

Can’t use AGE as an excuse to sit back and stop growing
In the last few days, I heard my kids, er—my adults?… talk about exciting new possibilities in their work areas, in their finances, all derived from spending time thinking about what they love doing, and then exploring possibilities and dreaming big. They encouraged me that my age should not be limiting me, either–that I still have potential. And I will be 70 years old in May of 2025! That birthday makes me think of yesterday morning, when daughter Teresa and I were taking a brisk walk early before she had to work. A man bounded out of his house (we didn’t know him) and said to us, “I’m turning 65 today!!” I said, “You’re just a baby!” He expressed his joy in a happy dance and made our day.

So, in order to close this post, how do I summarize what I’ve learned? Here’s my stab at it: “Optimism” doesn’t have an age attached to it. What is nice about being retired now–having time to think all by myself–is that I can dream up the wildest dreams… and try them out, just for fun! I’ve already been doing that:

• DRUM ROLL!
  I am blown away by excellent drummers! Go figure. I think that is in reaction to sweet husband Denny, who’s ears were so sensitive that the drums hurt him. So I won’t be hurting him now and can bang around as much as I want… if I don’t get kicked out of my townhouse! My mother was a fantastic snare drummer (well, she also did a great job on the bass drum…and the cymbals…and the piano…and singing…and, and, and….) So, I ordered a drum practice pad and drumsticks. And while I was at it, I ordered a Mickey Mouse practice pad and drumsticks for my little grandson. Teresa and her husband have a best friend who is a drummer… who shared recently the first steps in getting to be good at doing a drum roll.

• TAP DANCE!
  I also have been envious for years of people who could tap-dance. It looks so fun and happy! Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor… I think mainly of the GUYS who were excellent tap dancers way back in my parents’ days. I would love to be able to dance like that, but it would likely cause some problems with my feet, knees, back… but I still ordered tap shoes ANYWAY. They came and the rug is rolled back for practice time! Now I need to find a teacher who is used to dealing with geriatric nuts!
  

• DIXIELAND BANJO!
  I also want to at least rent a Dixieland banjo and learn to play, “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey?” I’m way out in left field right now, but it’s a rosy looking field. I’m a little worried about my fingers, since I know those strings hurt and you have to build up callouses. Then it might hamper my piano-playing… So I need to think that through a little longer…
  

• PHOTOGRAPHY!
  And I found my box labeled “Photography Project” in the garage. In it is a camera my brother-in-law gave me a few years ago. I am going to study it and may or may not wow you with creative pictures down the road.

IN CLOSING…
All those crazy things I am planning to do aren’t helping anyone out, so I was starting to be sort of sad about that. But then I remember that God is so awesome that He might just use what seems foolish for His own ends. [Check out the Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 1:27-31]. I pray He bring great good out of it all, somehow, and that I’ll have a story to praise Him with when it’s all said and done.

GRATEFUL…
I am grateful for my health right now. I know that sickness, disease, bone breaks, etc. take a huge toll. So hopefully my enthusiasm won’t put me in the hospital! But, in answer to this post’s posed question, “What will life look like…because of the “Optimism” post?” — I think life is going to look rather fun! I am “going with the flow” – so if some big “flooding” happens, it might re-route me. Hoping I’ll re-surface next week for the next post!