CRESTING THE HILL AND ENJOYING THE VIEW

What's in a blog name? Is it important to spend the time choosing well?Here's why I chose mine and how it's panned out over the years.

CLIMBING THE HILL

A few weeks ago, some blogging friends and I were discussing hiking and how you approach those difficult hill climbs. My friend Jo from And Anyways commented that the secret is to tackle the climb with a positive attitude because you know it's going to be hard, but it will be even harder if you're complaining and miserable every step of the way. Her example was pushing through a challenging section by singing "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" (a great Meatloaf flashback there for those of  us who loved "Bat Out Of Hell" in the 70's - and that darn song was stuck in my head for weeks after she mentioned it!) with a fellow hiker and being able to laugh about it later when they'd conquered that section.

Her story reminded me of a quote that I often think about when I look at our journey through life:

In this life we are all just walking up the mountain, and we can sing as we climb or we can complain about our sore feet. Whichever we choose, we still gotta do the hike. I decided a long time ago singing made a lot more sense.

 

CRESTING THE HILL

The quote ties in beautifully with why I chose 'Cresting the Hill' as the name for my blog six years ago. It doesn't sound middle aged or midlife-y to a lot of people, but I felt like our 50's (and hopefully our 60's) are that time of life where we've been climbing the hill for decades and the top has finally appeared - our hard work has been rewarded and we get to rest our sore feet. Hopefully we sang as we climbed, but regardless, I know I'm singing now I've reached the crest and I'm enjoying the glorious view.

“Welcome to the brink of everything. It takes a lifetime to get here, but the stunning view of past, present, and future—and the bracing breeze in your face—make it worth the trip.” ” — PARKER J. PALMER

You need an elevated place to be able to pause and look back, and also to look towards what lies ahead. I thought a hilltop was perfect - reaching the top after a steady climb, spreading out a picnic blanket on the grass (or perching on a lookout spot) and enjoying the vista with a cup of coffee and a snack, before embarking on the next stage - whether it's to climb another hill, or gradually descend and head home.

HOW LONG CAN YOU CREST THE HILL FOR?

I sometimes ask myself if I can sit on this hilltop forever, enjoying the breeze, the view, and the sheer sense of accomplishment of having reached this lovely place in life....or if one day I'll be "over the hill" and needing to move on? I'm still not 100% sure about that one, Next month marks the anniversary of six years of blogging for me - and my life has grown in so many positive ways, largely due to the group of wonderful readers and fellow bloggers who've sat with me for a while each week and shared their hillcrest stories. I'm reluctant to move on because I don't think I'm ready to climb another hill just yet, and at the same time I don't want  to pack up my picnic blanket and head home.

Life since turning 50 has been full of wonderful experiences - I've watched our adult children settle into careers, marriages, mortgages, parenthood, and independence. I've changed jobs and then stopped working completely. I've found a place of quietness and contentment that I was searching for in previous decades. I don't feel like I've fully arrived yet though - I'm still sitting and thinking about the future and which path I want to take next. Will it be onward and upward, will it be a smooth plateau stroll, or will I slowly meander home to a comfy chair by the fire? Life is always providing me with surprises, who knows what's next?

SITTING ON THE TOP OF THE HILL

So, despite choosing my blog name on a whim all those years ago, I feel like it's been a pretty perfect fit. A lot of the time it seems like I'm sitting on the top of the hill watching life roll along and it reminded me of the Otis Redding song "Sitting at the Dock of the Bay". After starting with a blast from the past with Meatloaf, I thought I'd finish with Otis singing in his mellow voice while I sit back, enjoy a coffee, and appreciate the view - behind me, around me, and ahead of me.


WHAT ABOUT YOU?

How's Midlife going for you? Are you still climbing your hill? Are you belting out a Meatloaf classic or complaining about your sore feet? Are you cresting your own hill and sitting at the dock of your bay? Or are you over the hill and heading somewhere else? I always love this Ellen quote about being over the hill - I think she says it all perfectly.

I don't even know what over the hill means and why it's a bad thing. When I go hiking and I get over the hill, that means I'm past the hard part and there's a snack in my future. #ellenquote
via GrowingBolder.com

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What's in a blog name? Is it important to spend the time choosing well?Here's why I chose mine and how it's panned out over the years.

In this life we are all just walking up the mountain, and we can sing as we climb or we can complain about our sore feet. Whichever we choose, we still gotta do the hike. I decided a long time ago singing made a lot more sense.
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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive
In this life we are all just walking up the mountain, and we can sing as we climb or we can complain about our sore feet. Whichever we choose, we still gotta do the hike. I decided a long time ago singing made a lot more sense.

What's in a blog name? Is it important to spend the time choosing well?Here's why I chose mine and how it's panned out over the years.

42 comments

  1. Hi Leanne, I am glad to learn tidbits of what I missed in conversations. It is the little gems that can often make a huge difference in my life. Wow, singing now and enjoying the view. A great way to think about our present moment.

    I also found since turning 50, I extra love my life for many of the reasons you mention. Some of my body parts are hanging a little lower, yet my spirit and perspective is up high enjoying the view. (Ha ha, “snack in my future.”). Thanksgiving here for us this weekend. I am grateful for this kind, supportive community. I am grateful for you, Leanne. xx

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    1. Hi Erica - yes the conversations are always enlightening with my zoomy friends! I felt a bit guilty including myself in the hiking conversation seeing that I rarely "hike" but it was such a great example of what it feels like to have reached this stage of life - and I love that we're able to take the time to appreciate how far we've climbed, pause and appreciate the view for as long as we like, and then decide what the next stage of the journey looks like - it's a pretty perfect stage of life isn't it? Happy early Thanksgiving and I'm SO grateful to have met you xx

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  2. So very nice. Thanks for sharing this. We all need to reach this as soon as possible.

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    1. Hi Patrick - I'll save you a seat on my picnic rug when you reach the end of your climb :)

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  3. I love your thoughts on hiking and conquering a tough hill. I have often had the same thoughts during a tough run. Only I sing the Tom Petty song "I Won't Back Down"instead of Meatloaf.

    I have made so many wonderful friends from blogging too. I don't feel like I'm over the hill, just sitting on the crest too. Younger people don't know what it's like to be my age, but I do know what it's like to be 30 or 40.

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    1. I feel the same way Laurie - I don't think my 30s or 40s were anywhere near as lovely as my 50s have been - and it makes 60 look quite appealing (as it draws steadily closer). I love that ageing is turning out to be so much more enjoyable than I expected - and blogging plays a big part in that for me.

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  4. Thanks for the shoutout! I totally believe in that quote - either way you're going to have to do the climb and either way it's going to hurt. As Miley Cyrus once sang (yes, I'm really going to quote Hannah Montana) life's a climb, but the view's great. (And your title is perfect for your blog).

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    1. Hi Jo - I was in the middle of writing this post when we had our chat and thought your comments fitted perfectly (along with Hannah Montanah's obviously!) I don't know if my blog grew into the name or the name grew into the blog, but it's been a good fit for me and hopefully any rock climbers who end up here aren't too disappointed :D

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  5. Leanne, It's a pretty sweet spot right now with more time for self-care, self-expression, and less responsibilities for others. I enjoy hiking and the hills make the journey interesting as one can't see everything all at once and there is always something to discover uphill or downhill or from the peak. This applies to my life journey, too. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Hi Natalie - well said! Yes the valleys and peaks add the variety and the challenge - and also some rest points along the way. I think by the time we get to Midlife we have the hike pretty well sorted - and plans in place for where to go next.

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  6. I really enjoyed the metaphor quotes about climbing. Years ago we hiked often, and I always felt the sense of accomplishment on reaching the top. But I enjoyed the down parts as well.... often looking out at new horizons, or seeing things differently. And the hike down had it's own challenges (literally - up climbing was hard on the heart, down hard on the knees!). Thinking back, we never spent that much time at the top... resting a bit, but looking ahead to more of the journey. Yeah, a very interesting metaphor!

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    1. Hi Pat - I feel like I've reached a very nice plateau with a panorama spread out in front of me - somewhere I can look back and also forward, but still enjoy the peace and serenity of the moment. I'm in no rush to move on from here - the relief from the last few years of climbing is still pretty sweet.

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  7. This is so beautifully written, Leanne! Mid life couldn't be better! We've climbed the hill and are ready to climb another. We started traveling when I was turning 50 and now we're somewhat settled in another country and starting a new phase of our travel lifestyle. Now that we have a home, here in Georgia (Europe), we'll have a base in which to travel from. At the same time, we have a chance to learn about a fascinating new culture. Congratulations on 6 years of blogging! You are truly great at it. By the way, this comment will appear under perpetual travel, which is my husband's account, but it's me, Christina Daggett.

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    1. Hi Christina - lovely to hear from you again. I've so enjoyed watching you set yourself up in Georgia and I'm hoping you're going to keep the blog going so I can watch what you're doing with that apartment - it looks like a lot of work, but also a lot of potential and some lovely features.

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  8. Love the metaphor of being on the crest of the hill. Where else could one see all the possibilities ahead. It is a fine place to
    sit and create a vision for the future and to know that one can joyfully start on that new adventure

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    1. That's how I feel Judith - I don't want to rush into my future just yet and it's still a bit hazy when I try to peer to far into the future. I think my crest of the hill atm is to sit and to learn and to rest and wait for the right opening to come along. Rushing into the next stage is something I would have done years ago, now I'm okay with the wait. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the lovely comment.

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  9. What an encouraging post!! Glad to be reminded of Meatloaf...the singer, not the entrée. And Ellen's quote is fabulous. I am always glad to be on my way to the snack!! Until this year, I had felt I was still on the top of the hill but this has been a hard 10 months. And I thought 2019 was pretty crummy, too. Couldn't wait to send it packing. Will be glad when we can return to doing our favorite things - like hiking and singing on the trail.

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    1. Hi Leslie - I love Meatloaf - and still belt out a good Bat Out Of Hell rendition now and then! I think the last year or two has been difficult for a lot of us, that's why I'm happy to just sit here on my hilltop for a while and enjoy the view - I don't have the impetus to decide where to go next, so I'll just drink my coffee and enjoy the view.

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  10. Hi Leanne,

    Coming back to your blog after quite a while. The past few weeks have been quite hectic and a bit stressful as well.

    I don't know if I am still sitting on the dock or cresting a hill. But I am sure is I try my best to keep myself occupied always - may be with some task that involves my limbs or that involves my mind.

    I also keep a small diary in which I record everything that I do, irrespective of whether they are big or small.

    Take care.

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    1. Hi Pradeep - lovely to have you visiting again - I popped over to your blog and saw that your father-in-law had passed away - and from covid - what an awful outcome for your family. No wonder you haven't been visiting here lately. My thoughts are with you and the rest of your family with the virus to rampant over in India.

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  11. Love your choice of name, Leanne. Very interesting questions too!
    Strangely, I was so looking forward to getting into my 50s and 5 years later, am certainly happier now than I've ever been. I've finally learnt to say no, speak up for myself and be much more authentic than I ever was! Was lucky to have had a fairly smooth menopause too!! ;)

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    1. Hi Corinne - I've been working on a lot of those things too and I'm certainly more centred and true to myself than I used to be. I still have a bit of work to do and that is my next step along the way in anticipation of turning 60 next year. I've heard some very good things about the 60's so I want to be ready to rock them!

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  12. I enjoyed learning the background to your blog name Leanne and I adore the song Sitting on the Dock of the Bay! I also have been known to belt out a bit of Meatloaf :0. Ellen's quote is very funny and entirely appropriate! A great post to read for #lifethisweek

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    1. Hi Deb - yes Meatloaf was the only album Ross and I had in common when we met - he was a Queen tragic and I was an ABBA and Cliff Richard fan - but Meatloaf was in a league of his own - I think I know every word of most of the songs on that album - and they were stuck in my head for weeks after Jo's mention of them and after writing this post!!

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  13. Hi, Leanne - Ellen's quote made me giggle. Over the hard part and a snack in our near future. What could be better?! Great post.

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    1. Hi Donna - that quote grabbed me years ago and it's one I've always associated with my blog because it says it all. It's also a popular pin so others must agree with us x

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  14. It was great to re-visit the reason for your blog's name and how you view your life in this stage. It is tempting for me to say...for us 70+ year olds that it is all downhill from now and in some ways it is but for now, it is a gentle and pleasant walk and view. We are grateful to be here and to enjoy life as is for us now with no responsibilities other than to each other.

    Thank you for linking up for LifeThisWeek and I hope you join in again next week, where the optional prompt is 42/51 Self-Care Stories #6. 19.10.2020. Denyse.

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    1. Hi Denyse - I think strolling down the hill and gently taking yourself homewards sounds like a pretty great way to spend your 70's. I think by the time I hit my 80's I'd be ready to be home with my feet up enjoying a cuppa in the sunshine - so meandering in that direction sounds perfect for your decade xx

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  15. Leanne, I love the freedom that seems to naturally accompany this age. At 65 I am still lingering at the crest, and have no immediate plans to change that position. At some point, the next chapter will be obvious; the universe (or father time) has a way of sending messages. You will know when it's time to listen and take heed.

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    1. Perfectly said Suzanne - I feel like I'll be sitting on my picnic blanket on the crest for a few more years too. I don't see any pressing need to push myself up or down the next mountain just yet - and you're right, when the universe tells us it's time to move on I'm sure we'll know it and be ready for the next stage.

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  16. What a lovely post!! I think enjoying the view is all part of the plan...#Lovinglifelinky

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    1. I think enjoying the view is our well deserved reward for all the hard yards we put into getting this far Lydia - and I keep reminding myself to be grateful every day for the lovely spot I'm in right now. x

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  17. That's a great quote: "In this life we are all just walking up the mountain, and we can sing as we climb or we can complain about our sore feet. Whichever we choose, we still gotta do the hike. I decided a long time ago singing made a lot more sense."
    I actually wrote a children's book about climbing a mountain. Pushing through the climb for the incredible view at the top. It's Book Number 7 in my Cheer Chick Charlie series called "Above and Beyond" which is one of the books I'm currently giving away in my ACT and Regional Teacher Resources packs. So this post is very timely and means a lot to me. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Leanne - how lovely that Cheer Chick Charlie is on the same wavelength as me! I'm a bit jealous of all those ACT kids getting to enjoy her climb up the mountain, but it's a great lesson for kids to grasp - life isn't always a cruise down the hill, sometimes you have to put in a bit of effort - but the reward at the end is always worth the sweat involved in getting there. :)

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  18. I love that quote by Parker J. Palmer! I'm sitting at the crest still ... looking out at the view, getting my bearings, doing some thinking and soul searching, wondering which way to go next. :-) xo

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    1. I think that about sums it up for a lot of us Min - we've successfully completed the climb, we're loving the peace and senses of accomplishment, and now we're wondering where to head to next. Our next decade will be an interesting one!

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  19. I love this sentiment and all the quotes you selected Leanne. I feel a little like I'm nearing the crest, but not quite there. Maybe because I am still working full time. I hope I am singing much of the way, but catch myself occasionally complaining about sore feet. Certainly I can appreciate the view. Thanks for this lovely reminder.

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    1. Hi Christie - once I finished work I think my "sore feet" finally stopped hurting. Now I just cruise along, or sit and chill out for as long as I need - it's a lovely stage of life to be experiencing.

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  20. Loved the quotes and your point of view. it is definitely uphill most days and its all about the choice of song :) I do find, taking breaks in between the climb is helpful.

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    1. Hi Ishieta - I think it's uphill for many, many years, then one day you realize the climb isn't quite so steep and things are levelling off - and then before you know it, you've reached the top and the view is amazing x

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  21. CONGRATULATIONS: Our ELISE has chosen you post to be featured in the next Blogger's Pit Stop.
    Kathleen

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    1. Lovely news Kathleen - I always love being one of your featured posts - many thanks to Elise too for choosing this.

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.