I felt that I was lucky in every aspect of my life except one: the professional side. So I would get very dispirited. Enthusiasm for a new project got me going again, and I stopped looking at luck as double-entry bookkeeping. Even so, luck is a huge part of success - but it's out of my control. All I can control is myself, my enthusiasm, my resilience, and my willingness to just show up and do the work.
Considering what I do for a living, your "I stopped looking at luck as double-entry bookkeeping" really resonates with me. We don't need every experience to be balanced i.e. the debit and credit side. You are correct, we cannot control "Luck", but we are the boss of the items you listed "All I can control is myself, my enthusiasm, my resilience, and my willingness to just show up and do the work." Yes, yes, and yes!! xo
I jumped into the retail space quite late in life. It feels like jumping into the deep end of the pool, and the choice is sink or swim. I am not in the mood to sink, so swim it is. It often feels like I am struggling against the current, often swimming perpendicular to the current and occasionally sweetly drifting with the current. It is a challenge but I have to say, having you as a bookkeeper/advisor has kept me sane, encouraged and away from the proverbial ledge.
“Not in the mood to sink” may be my new favorite definition of courage. Thank you for describing it so honestly — the struggle, the drifting, all of it. This is exactly what I meant about staying engaged. It isn’t always graceful, but it’s alive. I’m so glad you shared this. xo
Courage and doubt. Last Saturday, both were blown to smithereens and my determination to re-engage and focus on my fitness and health were rewarded. I have a pair of 100% denim jeans that I bought in 2008. I've not been able to wear them since about 2010, but kept them as the "shining beacon" to which I aspired to return. No stretch. No Lyra. Just denim, the kind we sometimes had to lay down on the bed to zip up. Completely unforgiving.
Last Saturday, I tried them on and they fit. It was a big deal!!! To celebrate, I wore them that evening to see Jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton.
I began to engage with my fitness during Covid, and re-focused my laser determination on all levels in early October, 2025, shortly after the birth of my grandson. I wanted to be sure that I'm able to actively participate in my life, and with my grandson.
Being able to wear the jeans again was a concrete reminder that my health - physical, mental, and spiritual, are mine to steward. My responsibility. My gift to myself. It's not easy, there are always potential roadblocks, pitfalls, and a myriad of distractions, but ... that's life, and I can really only control how I respond to any given situation, opportunity, distraction, and pitfall. And I make the choice to keep going, refocus, stay positive and grateful for this life I get to continue to create and explore every day.
I love this so much! Congratulations on wearing the 2008 jeans!! But, more importantly, congratulations on your hard work and fortitude. For your understanding of the " concrete reminder that my health - physical, mental, and spiritual, is mine to steward. My responsibility. My gift to myself." Your grandson is so lucky to have you as his grandma!! Enjoy the jeans. More importantly, enjoy the boy. Thank you for sharing your success. It is an inspiration for all of us. xo
I felt that I was lucky in every aspect of my life except one: the professional side. So I would get very dispirited. Enthusiasm for a new project got me going again, and I stopped looking at luck as double-entry bookkeeping. Even so, luck is a huge part of success - but it's out of my control. All I can control is myself, my enthusiasm, my resilience, and my willingness to just show up and do the work.
Considering what I do for a living, your "I stopped looking at luck as double-entry bookkeeping" really resonates with me. We don't need every experience to be balanced i.e. the debit and credit side. You are correct, we cannot control "Luck", but we are the boss of the items you listed "All I can control is myself, my enthusiasm, my resilience, and my willingness to just show up and do the work." Yes, yes, and yes!! xo
I jumped into the retail space quite late in life. It feels like jumping into the deep end of the pool, and the choice is sink or swim. I am not in the mood to sink, so swim it is. It often feels like I am struggling against the current, often swimming perpendicular to the current and occasionally sweetly drifting with the current. It is a challenge but I have to say, having you as a bookkeeper/advisor has kept me sane, encouraged and away from the proverbial ledge.
“Not in the mood to sink” may be my new favorite definition of courage. Thank you for describing it so honestly — the struggle, the drifting, all of it. This is exactly what I meant about staying engaged. It isn’t always graceful, but it’s alive. I’m so glad you shared this. xo
Courage and doubt. Last Saturday, both were blown to smithereens and my determination to re-engage and focus on my fitness and health were rewarded. I have a pair of 100% denim jeans that I bought in 2008. I've not been able to wear them since about 2010, but kept them as the "shining beacon" to which I aspired to return. No stretch. No Lyra. Just denim, the kind we sometimes had to lay down on the bed to zip up. Completely unforgiving.
Last Saturday, I tried them on and they fit. It was a big deal!!! To celebrate, I wore them that evening to see Jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton.
I began to engage with my fitness during Covid, and re-focused my laser determination on all levels in early October, 2025, shortly after the birth of my grandson. I wanted to be sure that I'm able to actively participate in my life, and with my grandson.
Being able to wear the jeans again was a concrete reminder that my health - physical, mental, and spiritual, are mine to steward. My responsibility. My gift to myself. It's not easy, there are always potential roadblocks, pitfalls, and a myriad of distractions, but ... that's life, and I can really only control how I respond to any given situation, opportunity, distraction, and pitfall. And I make the choice to keep going, refocus, stay positive and grateful for this life I get to continue to create and explore every day.
I love this so much! Congratulations on wearing the 2008 jeans!! But, more importantly, congratulations on your hard work and fortitude. For your understanding of the " concrete reminder that my health - physical, mental, and spiritual, is mine to steward. My responsibility. My gift to myself." Your grandson is so lucky to have you as his grandma!! Enjoy the jeans. More importantly, enjoy the boy. Thank you for sharing your success. It is an inspiration for all of us. xo