#4 EMBRACE NEW EXPERIENCES

When something new comes along we can choose to ignore it and stay safe in our little world, or we can choose to take a risk and embrace the opportunity being offered. #changes #opportunities

DON'T WASTE YOUR ONE PRECIOUS LIFE

Life is short, and reaching the half way point has been a real eye-opener for me. I saw I had stopped growing and was pretty close to stagnating. Sitting still and assuming there is "nothing new under the sun" to quote Solomon - is the worst thing we can do with the lives we've been given.

I sat in a job for several years longer than I should have because I thought it was all I was entitled to. Day after day, week after week, month after month - and eventually year after year giving my best for someone who didn't appreciate my skills or talents. It sucks you dry and leaves you feeling incapable of moving forward. 

TIME FOR SOME CHANGES

It was finally reaching the point of feeling that it would be better to not work at all than to continue to work in a soulless job that finally gave me the impetus to quit and see what else was out there. Boy did that open up a world of new experiences! I bought a bicycle, I went to two job interviews and before I knew it, I was in a new job in a similar, but also completely new work environment. 

 That was a year ago but it didn't stop there, last month a surgeon who works at the same hospital as me asked if I wanted more hours - when I said "No thank you very much!" he then asked if I'd consider coming to work for him for a higher salary and better work days. I thought about it for a day or so and then decided that it was a new opportunity to embrace and why not seize the moment? So......I now work great days, get paid what I'm worth, and get told how well I'm doing. What a change from a year ago!

How many new lives can we have? As many as we like! #lifequotes

OTHER NEW EXPERIENCES

New experiences don't stop with job changing or bike riding, I also used the extra time I had to learn stained glass/leadlighting. I've made a staircase railing that I love, and I'm about to learn how to use glass and copper foiling to make sun-catchers, ornaments and goodness knows what - another new experience to keep me busy.

 When something new comes along we can choose to ignore it and stay safe in our little world, or we can choose to take a risk and embrace the opportunity being offered. I know I'm going with the latter because it is opening up my life every time I try something new. I want to be active and interesting and engaging - and none of those come from staying safely in the same place for the rest of my life.


stained glass flowers - www.crestingthehill.com.au
My latest project - stained glass flowers

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are you stretching your boundaries and adding new experiences into your life? Have you heard of the "Alphabet of New Things?" That's where you create an A-Z at the beginning of the year and try to tick off each letter with something new you've tried in the year ahead. It's quite a challenge and a great kick start to being open to new adventures.

RELATED POSTS:

If you enjoyed this post, it's part of a series and you can click HERE to find links to all my "Embrace Posts" - I hope you enjoy them and they inspire you.

When something new comes along we can choose to ignore it and stay safe in our little world, or we can choose to take a risk and embrace the opportunity being offered. #changes #opportunities

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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive
life is always changing - don't get stuck in a rut, instead seize every chance to explore new experiences

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34 comments

  1. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond9 May 2016 at 14:31

    So inspirational Leanne. I'm looking around to try something new as I'm itching to extend myself in the creative area (I'm not creative at all alas). We just have to have an open mind and embrace opportunities as they come along. Look at you go girl and all you have achieved in the last year! xx

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    1. Leanne9 May 2016 at 19:38

      thanks Sue - I love that we are becoming "more" rather than settling for "less" as we get into this whole midlife thing. Your running and healthiness inspires me so I'm glad my leadlighting is inspiring you x

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  2. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond9 May 2016 at 18:21

    Hi Leanne I've previously commented so stumbled and tweeted :)

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  3. Michelle9 May 2016 at 19:46

    Makes me want to jump up and down and swing my hips in excitement. I tend to get "stuck" and have to get out of that mode quickly. I don't always embrace change willingly but once I come out of my comfort zone, boy do I fly. I love those flowers you made. Something simple like taking a new class can be so inspiring.

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 12:54

      Thanks Michelle - I'm a bit the same where I find it easy to stay safe and not try new things - but once I do, it makes me wonder why I don't do it more often!

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  4. Unknown9 May 2016 at 22:16

    I never used to get stuck.The best of ways I was consistently reinventing myself. And then I became a mother and somehow I've gotten… Stuck.
    I needed to see this…

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 12:55

      I think we all find times where we realize we haven't changed much Carla - usually because we're so busy keeping all the balls in the air we don't have time for any new ones - when it slows down a bit is when we get to unstick a little :)

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  5. Pam @ over50feeling409 May 2016 at 22:16

    Love this Leanne! Good job and very inspirational!

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 12:55

      Thanks Pam - you are becoming the midlife queen of reinvention and new experiences :)

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  6. Anna Palmer9 May 2016 at 22:53

    Those flowers are gorgeous! And I am so glad to hear you are getting more of what you want. We are our own best advocates.

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 12:56

      Thanks Anna - I'm pleased with how they turned out - I'm not particularly arty so it was nice to find I could create something pretty.

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  7. Haralee9 May 2016 at 22:58

    Congratulations! I love your negation tactic not knowing you were negotiating when you refused more hours and ended up with better hours and more money! Way to go!!

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 12:57

      thanks Haralee - sometimes I think we don't realize how much we have to offer until we take the risk to find out. I'm glad I took the risk :)

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  8. Unknown9 May 2016 at 23:44

    YOU. Are an inspiration. I just said to my husband last night, "I don't know how else to change the Future except move in a different direction". You're proof. XXOO

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 13:02

      Thanks so much x - I bet you'll be moving house again soon to facilitate that change of direction. We have so many opportunities- we just need to grab them and run :)

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  9. Rena10 May 2016 at 00:29

    I have always loved stain glass, love those flowers!

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 19:04

      Thanks Rena - they were fun to make and nice to have something to show for my efforts (and bloodshed)

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  10. Diane Stringam Tolley10 May 2016 at 02:31

    Wow! Congratulations!
    Your experiences are so inspiring!
    And love those flowers . . .

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 19:05

      Thanks Di - it's nice to take a leap of faith and find that I am not on the scrapheap yet :)

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  11. MLQ10 May 2016 at 04:43

    My sentiments exactly, Leanne! I had the same experience with a job that sucked the life out of me. Stayed too long for security sake which is important too! Now I'm open to new experiences. Life is short! The stained glass flowers are beautiful!! :)
    https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 19:06

      thanks Mary Lou - I love it that we both moved on and woke up to ourselves - never again will I stay in a job that doesn't do me any favours!

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  12. Rebecca Olkowski10 May 2016 at 07:16

    I love your stain glass flowers. How fun that you've found a creative outlet. Change is good.

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    1. Leanne10 May 2016 at 19:07

      Thanks Rebecca - they were a bit of a challenge, but I loved the end result and it was fun doing something that isn't in my usual skill set :)

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  13. sassytownhouseliving10 May 2016 at 21:10

    I love those stained glass flowers! Creative outlets are the best! Congrats on finding your dream job too. Yes, taking risks is often so worth it!

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    1. Leanne11 May 2016 at 07:13

      that's what I'm coming to realize - take a risk and see what happens - maybe it will be the best thing you've ever done!

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  14. Leanne11 May 2016 at 07:14

    I love #OTM Marilyn and will be back next week :)

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  15. Kathleen11 May 2016 at 17:52

    Awesome post Leanne. I love the glass flowers, you have found your creative gene, it happens so often at this age. So exciting. I remember seeing your staircase rail it was so lovely. Keep shining, it rubs off on others.
    Kathleen

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    1. Leanne12 May 2016 at 15:03

      Thanks Kathleen - I'm going to have to stop before my house gets listed as a cathedral from too much stained glass :)

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  16. Unknown14 May 2016 at 16:50

    It's always a great time to learn something new, Leanne.
    My mom was telling me this week that she wants to do crochet again. And I'm sure she will.
    Life is what we made of it. Why not making it a brand new experience each time?
    Thank you for sharing the flowers with us. They look beautiful!

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  17. Unknown14 May 2016 at 20:15

    Your attitude is so refreshing and inspiring Leanne. I keep telling people life is about living. Not sitting there letting it pass you by as you moan about things and never change anything. I think exploring new avenues and doing new things I what makes people happy. Also appreciating what you have is important too.

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

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  18. The Plagued Parent20 May 2016 at 07:58

    I love your quote meme, you are so right we can have as many new lives as we choose!

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  19. Laurie Stone21 May 2016 at 01:10

    I think getting older sharpens the mind as far as trying new experiences. I also stayed in jobs far longer than I should've because I was afraid to try the unknown. Now I go for it. I'm braver now than when I was younger, because I have to be.

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  20. Unknown21 May 2016 at 06:13

    How inspiring. It's easy not to take risks, but you are proof of what can come of taking a chance on new experiences.

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