All my opinions

I find this title rather fitting as I was once reprimanded by a “manager” for having too many opinions. Seriously, I don’t view this as a negative, do you? There are expert opinions, legal opinions, medical opinions, and public opinions - a wide range of really relevant opinions that are considered valuable. Up until this point, it had never been a problem, I had never imposed my opinion on others and kept an open mind about most everything. But I also had found my voice and was not afraid to speak openly, and even (sigh…), out loud. What made my opinions less meaningful? Was it because my opinions differed from my “manager”? Inquiring minds want to know.

At any rate, I retained my right to speak freely on such matters which brings me to the point that, yes, I do in fact, have a fully operational brain, within which many opinions flow on any given day. I’m invested in learning about a wide range of topics so I can discern how I feel about that topic personally. And furthermore, I might even change my opinion about something as new information emerges.

I now realize the words meant to put me down, dismiss me, diminish my perspective or dim my internal bright light were the exact inspiration that brought me here. I yearned to do something more in my life and have a greater impact on those around me. Transformative not transactional. I no longer wanted to be silenced, walked on, or encouraged to show up as invisible. Enough! It was time to move into what I was meant to be and do.

My intention is to share my truth as I know it today and apply it for the best possible good. For me it has been, and will always be, about the truth. And I’ve acquired my perspectives (opinions) through my own curiosity, intense research, learning and many lived experiences over more than four decades. I don’t profess to have all the answers, and I never will, but I know I will continue to be curious, learn, grow and experience more over time. And I know I will continue to pour my heart and soul into my own journey and share the wisdom I gain openly, unapologetically, and without reservation.

Sidebar - this is where I’m starting and I have no way of predicting where I’ll end. There aren’t any hard or fast rules here, and the categories I’m drawn to write about today may change over time based on a variety of factors including the reader’s pulse.

Advocacy - this topic has broad reach for me whether it is caregiving for a dying, disabled, or ill family member during a health crisis to standing up for someone who is being bullied or simply speaking the truth when conventional wisdom disagrees and no one else wants to listen.

Wellness - this is more than just about being healthy, it is about challenging the status quo and listening to my own unique body (internal and external needs) alongside relentless research and critical thinking to understand how my current actions and decisions are going to determine how well I adapt in future years through the aging process.

Intentional Living - this focuses on nourishing my mind, body, and soul in order to be able to fully function at my highest level. It includes giving myself permission to focus on myself first by invoking thoughtful boundaries and inviting people into my inner circle when the position is earned.

Rediscovery - this is a space of hope to dream, stillness to reconnect with who I have always been, and a realization that anything is possible at any age. For me this ranges from stepping into single motherhood, to reinventing my career multiple times, to remembering that the formula for my best self has always lived within me.

We only get so many trips around the sun in this lifetime, and I want to make my rotations as meaningful as possible. Are you in for the ride?