What Makes Me Beautiful

I believe that I am more beautiful now than ever before because I totally embrace myself as I am.  My life with all of its ups and downs is a tremendous gift that I am so grateful for.  I am no longer in the pursuit of a perfect life but living a life that is joyful, grateful and dedicated to making a difference for others.  Whatever I want my life to be, I have the power to make it happen - knowing that creates a beautiful feeling of inner peace that radiates out to the world.

My beauty is also reflected in my relationships and my work (paid and volunteer).  I have an incredible loving husband of 24 years and a beautiful daughter who is a junior in college.  Eight years ago I quit my job in the financial services industry and launched a new career as a consultant and executive coach, helping leaders in nonprofit organizations maximize their potential.  Last year on my 56^th birthday, I created Fierce and Fabulous Over 50 a blog and networking group for women over 50.  Recently I launched a project with two friends also dedicated to supporting women called The Life You Want Now.  I serve as a Advisory Board Member for the Darfur Rehabilitation Project an organization dedicated to bringing peace between the various ethnic groups in Darfur and Word of Life International, the largest food pantry in the Bronx, New York.  Through SEEDS I also mentor a high school senior through the college application process.   My beauty is reflected in all lives of those I have touched and hopefully transformed and to me that is no better reflection of my beauty!

Oops Should Have Posted This in January

I Don’t Have Time For That……

Now that I am over 50 a New Year takes on an additional meaning for me.  It is not only a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions and promises to do better in the New Year, it is also a time for me to do some arithmetic.  How many more years do I have to live out my dreams?  How many more years do I have to make a difference?  These arithmetic word problems are the ones I find myself struggling to answer at the dawn of a New Year.   Because I know that if I am lucky, I have another 24 or so years left on this earth, (the average life expectancy of a woman in the US is roughly 80).  As the clock strikes midnight I am overwhelmed with a sense of urgency to get into action before its too late.

  

Getting connected to this reality helps me quickly get to what’s important and what doesn’t really matter or more to the point, what I don’t have time for.   I am ruthless around my priorities and have become quite comfortable with saying no to people or events that do not advance the achievement of my priorities.   Now that I am over 50 my time is too precious to spend a moment in frivolous activities or being unhappy.

My priorities  for 2013 are:

1.     Increase financial fitness by saving more and spending less.

2.     Increase physical fitness by eating healthy and exercising.

3.     Increase emotional and mental fitness by positive self- talk and fearless pursuit of my dreams.

4.     Increase human fitness by making a difference for at least one person each day.

What are your priorities for 2013?

Until next time, Be Fierce and Fabulous.

Debra