Patti Phillips
It’s getting to be that time of year; slowing down, cocooning, and reflecting. That’s what the winter season is supposed to be for, right? We’ve just entered into 2014, and this is the perfect time to review and renew for the upcoming year.
But instead of being guided by the natural cycle of the seasons in our own lives, we get caught up in all the craziness of the holiday season and a typical reflective process may go like this,”YIKES! Another year has passed already? They seem to go by so quickly now! I didn’t getting everything done last year and I’ve run out of time! AND I have to get ready for this year!”
It’s natural, and healthy, to go through a process of reflection as one year winds down and another begins. Taking some time to evaluate successes and struggles, gains and losses, followed by questions about the year to come and setting intentions to make improvements, is an important part of our personal growth.
Hopefully, we give ourselves the opportunity to take a few days around New Years to go through this process of reflection and intention setting; one week for one year would be nice. So it makes sense then, that we take at least 50 weeks (ok, a year basically) for 50 years. It’s a necessary part of our natural cycle.
I will be turning 50 in July of 2014 and have been anticipating this milestone birthday for over a year. It’s inspired me to create a year-long personal growth program to really celebrate this special and unique birthday with intention. I have been reviewing the years since 1964, remembering my own life experiences and also reflecting on what has happened in the world. Within that process, I’ve identified what’s been most important for me to live with a sense of peace, joy and purpose.
I have had so much fun and personal growth creating the Review and Renew at 50 Program and curating the Born in ’64 facebook page, that I am offering this program to other women who were born in 1964 to also celebrate turning 50 in 2014.
As part of my year of celebration, I will also be going on two amazing adventures. One is to Hawaii in May and includes surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and yoga. The other, which I am most excited about because it takes place during my actual birthday in July, is a kayaking adventure in Haida Gwaii on the west coast of Canada. It’s so important to keep taking on new adventures and experiences; turning 50 will not stop me from doing the things I love! These trips are offered by Wild Women Expeditions and I’ve reserved space for a few other Born in ’64’s.
It’s not just at 50 that a process of reflection and intention setting can occur but that impending birthday does seem to trigger a need to do something special. Reviewing the past and renewing for the future is important for anyone who is going through a mid-life transition (much nicer term than “crisis”, don’t you think?) and wants to do so with the intention.
If women experience only half the benefits that I’ve received from putting the program together, I know it will be well worth your time and energy to focus on you. We only turn 50 once and it’s the perfect time.
More information about the program is available at www.bornin1964.com