HAPPY NEW BEGINNING!

January 1, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW BEGINNING! HAPPY EVERYTHING!

After 3 years, I am returning to my blog, Olympic Luminaries. I want a place to share with those of us who choose to shine a light in the world and work toward change as if we were athletes in training for the Olympics.  I first started this blog to teach, to share wisdom, to lead others. Now I am here to learn how to do this amazing journey myself. This year I will lead by example, and I invite you to come with me… which could be a hot mess or a glorious adventure (or both), but nevertheless, it is my turn to “be the change you wish to see in the world” (thank you, Gandhi, for that brilliant quote). It is now time that I learn what I’ve been teaching others for years. Feel free to add insights, inspiration, ideas, or funny stories.

If you don’t already know me, I am 62 years old, I feel like I should be about 27, and in truth, my life is eternal.  I am a filmmaker, actress, acting coach, public speaker, small business owner, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and caregiving daughter of my 96-year-old mother who has been living with us for 17 years. Sounds like a lot, right? It is all true. I have done all of those things. Some of them I could list on one page the number of times I have done them, and a few I have made a career out of. But here is the thing. I’ve been playing small. I’ve been hiding out. I’ve been waiting for some unknown miracle to happen and for someone to tap me on the head and say “Okay, now you have permission to step boldly out into the light and really go for it”. Well, I am officially tapping myself this year. It is time to go for it. It is time for all of us to really go for it (especially if you have any love or light to bring in the world).

Time is too short to spend any more time struggling with the tedious, self-induced issues that have kept me stuck and playing small for most of my life. What will others think? What if it doesn’t work? What if I fail? Well…. let’s find out. I have gifts to be shared, stories to tell, trips to take, friends to meet, and so much love to offer the world. I have opinions, ideas, longings, and life to be lived. I know that you do too. So let’s just do it!

Today, I start anew. I woke up to the image of my mother on the nanny cam, lying there, eyes open, waiting for me to bring her breakfast in bed. (Yes, she is spoiled and grateful). I sighed and started with the same old tired thought “Poor me, the moment I get up I have to start to take care of her”. Then I stopped it. No! NEW YEAR, NEW MINDSET! So I am starting with gratitude and committed to controlling my thinking upon rising. Thank you, loving God, that my mom is alive and relatively well. Thank you for my warm house, my kids at home for the holidays, my sweet husband, the fact that I get to start a new day and a new year. I will bring her breakfast, spend some quiet time with You, and set a new course. So here I sit, returning to my blog, looking toward a new beginning, and leading from the front this time. Buckle your seatbelts, it is going to be an awesome adventure!

My view from the nannycam:

My view for the future…