Final Tally

What a year it's been!  Thanks to my 'Fifty' projects, my fiftieth year has been pretty terrific.  I've done a lot more of the things I love -- and less of those I don't.

My main goal was to enjoy (at least) Fifty Frolics during my fiftieth year.  I not only met this challenge...I doubled it, racking up 100 Frolics during the year.  I so enjoyed these romps, I plan to make this an annual thing:  to aim for (at least) fifty frolics for every subsequent year of my life.
A second goal was to do (at least) Fifty Creative Projects this year. This was not only enjoyable but fulfilling.  I'm especially tickled to have written four books this year.  My novel and a workbook are being edited.  Here are the others:

GOAL SETTING & PLANNING FOR MULTI-TALENTED PEOPLE:  How to figure out what you really want -- and how to actually get it
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:  http://amzn.to/goalsettingkindle

  

And here's the newest one.  I'm thrilled that this blog and my 'Turning Fifty' projects have led to this self-help guide. It's packed with activities, examples and ideas to make the most of turning fifty -- to make your fiftieth year whatever you’d like it to be.

50 WAYS TO ENJOY TURNING FIFTY: Make the Most of Your Milestone Birthday to Have the Best Year Ever
 
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:   http://bit.ly/MakingTheMostofTurningFifty
 







Another goal was to take better care of my body -- hauling my middle-aged carcass into (at least) Fifty Fitness Classes, including bikram yoga and zumba.  Mission accomplished -- but the results are not what I hoped. My metabolism seems to be slowing so next year, I'll have to give more attention to my fitness and health.

My other projects were purely for pleasure:  I love cooking and trying new things so it was lovely to make (at least) 50 New Recipes this year.  I adore reading, so I aimed to read (at least) 50 Books this year. Along the same line, I wanted to watch (at least) 50 Films and listen -- really listen -- to (at least) 50 CDs.  I committed to treat myself better...to the tune of indulging in (at least) 50 Treats during the year. Part of that was recognizing how soothing it is for me to be near water -- so I set a goal of (at least) 50 Water Visits.  I also aimed for 50 Visits with Friends.

I'm delighted to report that I met or exceeded every one of these goals.

However, as I reported earlier,  There was one 50 Project that I abandoned early on.  I had thought I would take (at least) 50 'Fun Classes' during my fiftieth year -- and I ended up going to none.  The irony here is that, in any given year over the past decade, I've taken fun classes pretty much every week -- art or acting or even canine related courses.  It's surprising that this, of all projects, is that one that never get off the ground. And yet I'm fine with that.

The point of all my 'fifty projects' was to make the most of my fiftieth year -- to do more of what I love and less of what I don't -- and that's exactly what happened. Even better -- I've inspired others to do the same.


Blog readers have written to tell me about special events they organized or simple pleasures they re-discovered or once-in-a-lifetime trips they had taken.  Ellen treated herself to a month's vacation at a beach house -- honoring her happiest memories from her youth.  Oliver went on safari.  Marloes made a point of attending particular concerts that she otherwise would have let pass her by.  Kate used her milestone as an excuse to sleep more -- and nap whenever she wished -- guilt-free.

I'm concluding this, my fiftieth year, with a sense of accomplishment and great gratitude.

I've also learned that it is possible to make the most of life, even when life becomes challenging.  To my surprise, I managed to make this a wonderful year, despite dealing with a profound personal loss (my mother's passing) and many practical challenges (e.g. managing her estate, 3000 miles away). I learned that even horrible events don't have to define your life -- or an entire year.

I enter my fifty-first year with new optimism and high hopes.  I'm going to give careful thought to how I'd like to live the next twelve months -- and I invite you to do the same.

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I'd love to hear from you -- message me or leave a comment below.

Find Old Friends

There are no friends like old friends.

Sometimes we don’t like thinking about past life chapters for fear of traipsing into negative memories.  However, if you take the plunge, you will find ‘hidden gems’ in every chapter of your life.  For every ‘jerk’ not worth remembering, there are also some kind people -- friends at the time -- with whom you’ve lost contact for no particular reason.

If you choose to, you can use your fiftieth year to reconnect with these lost, hidden gems in your past.

Facebook and other social media are great for this, but personally, I prefer using the phone.

One thing I learned during my Fiftieth year:  it’s possible -- and fun -- to pick up the phone and call anyone from your past. 

Of course, it’s helpful if you give some context:  “This is a voice from your past.  It’s [insert the name they knew you by] from [insert the place where you knew each other].”  You don’t need an excuse other than “I was thinking about you and thought I’d call.  Is now a good time to chat?”

Using this completely obvious and easy technique, I was able to reconnect with some wonderful people with whom I’d had no contact in decades. These phone calls lead to some rewarding conversations and fun visits throughout my fiftieth year.  I highly recommend it.

I can also tell you how wonderful it is to receive these calls.  Recently, Harry, my long-lost housemate from grad school tracked me down and called me, out of the blue.  It was so good to hear Harry’s voice!  It meant so much to reconnect and to learn about his wonderful (some would say charmed) life in Texas.  It warmed my heart to know that he cared enough to track me down.  (I’m still not sure how he found me, half a country away but he’s always been a clever guy).

Activity:  Is there anyone you’d like to reach out to during this year?  Is there someone you’re not presently in contact with but would like to be?  Is there anyone you remember fondly from the past?  Pick one person.  Find their number.  (If you can’t look them up, ask someone who might know someone who might know).  Call them. 

*****

What about you?  I'd love to hear about your experiences tracking down hidden gems from the past -- or having nice people from your past find you -- message me or leave a comment below.