THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW ON THE HORIZON IF WE'RE READY

Life gives and takes away. If you're open and ready for a challenge, then something new will come along to fill a gap and keep you balanced.

LIFE IS A SERIES OF UPS AND DOWNS

Life is in a constant state of flux isn't it? I feel like the last few years have been a bit of a roller coaster ride - from my job becoming less and less bearable, to finally resigning, to wondering what to do next, then covid throwing a spanner in the works, and  finally settling into a new routine where I expected to stay comfortably forever. 

I had my days nicely balanced with plenty of activities for my body, mind and soul and was feeling pretty settled and content....but then my hip gave out on me and life changed again.

WHEN YOUR HEALTH IMPACTS YOUR LIFE

If you read last week's post you'll know that my "dodgy" hip that has been a bit of a problem for the last couple of decades, finally gave up the ghost on me around October last year and my lovely morning walks became a thing of the past. I just couldn't walk for more than 10 minutes without limping along feeling like a zombie extra in a movie. From there my exercise class also got put on hold because it was too painful to continue. So an hour every morning was suddenly free and an extra hour or so each week from not going off to my exercise group.

I'm riding my bike regularly, but not for an hour a day, and not every day, so my mornings have opened up and I have more time in my day.

WHEN COVID CHANGES THINGS

As well as the exercise changes, I also stopped my volunteering this year due to the rule changes around accessing schools etc - playgroup had to start meeting in a park and I didn't need to go to help out. My ladies' discussion group also devolved a bit and I decided to take a break from it for a while. So another two activities were crossed off the list.

My lovely balanced life suddenly began to look a little like Ground Hog Day where each day started to feel a little bit the same. 

PROACTIVELY LOOKING FOR CHANGE

I could have sat back and read a book all day, or played Candy Crush (I refuse to admit what level I'm on - it's embarrassingly high!), or allowed myself to feel bored or resentful that my plans had been messed with. But I refuse to be that person - life is good and there's always something new on the horizon if we keep our eyes open and we're prepared to take a risk and conquer our fear of the unknown.

change -Nikki Banas quote
via https://nikkibanas.com/

So, that's when I took the leap and applied for the little job that appeared in the paper a month or so ago. It won't take over my life, it won't take me back into working in a dysfunctional environment, and it'll challenge me to learn new skills. It fills a whole day - I even have to set my alarm to wake up so I can get there for an early start (that was a bit of a shock to the system!) I was so grateful that this job appeared when it did and I was seriously wondering what I would have done with myself if it hadn't. But there's always something else if we're prepared to be open to new ideas.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

A couple of weeks ago I called into an op shop (thrift shop for those of you who call it by a different name) and got chatting with the manager. I'd always thought that these places looked like an interesting volunteering option but assumed they had more people than they needed. Interestingly, the manager said that they'd had a big fall off of numbers due to covid - a lot of their volunteers were older or had health concerns and weren't keen to be exposed in the shop. So, they were actively looking for more volunteers.

I didn't put my hand up - I don't think my hip could take the standing, walking, picking up, etc but it was tempting. It's only a four hour shift and is really flexible. I thought to myself at the time that I would have signed up if I hadn't started my new job - and perhaps after I get my hip sorted next year, I'll go back and try it out. It looked like a great opportunity to have some social interaction while helping a good cause. And it would add another layer into my life.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING IF YOU'RE READY

I think what I'm trying to get at (in a long winded and slightly rambling way) is that life gives and takes away. The perfect job may not turn out to be perfect. The perfect exercise routine might need to be stopped. The perfect volunteer position might not work out as expected. The perfect life balance might get out of kilter sometimes.......But, if we're open to new experiences and we're prepared to stretch ourselves a little, there's always something new around the corner.

the best is yet to come - Nikki Banas quote
https://nikkibanas.com/

I love that life isn't written in stone, I love that there are new challenges, I love that even the "bad" experiences can turn around and free us up for something new (and maybe even better). I'm just so grateful that life is good and that there's always something new on the horizon when we need it. The best is yet to come.

Have you had similar experiences or am I just an eternal optimist?

RELATED POSTS


Life gives and takes away. If you're open and ready for a challenge, then something new will come along to fill a gap and keep you balanced.

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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive
Life gives and takes away. If you're open and ready for a challenge, then something new will come along to fill a gap and keep you balanced.

37 comments

  1. Great post! None of need ever feel "life is done for us" now as we age. You are a great example, Leanne. To be honest, as I get to my 5 years post cancer, I have asked "what's next" and it's quite possible there is more to my life that is not cancer or recovery related. I love having the time to consider this and to enjoy all I have now too. Denyse

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    1. Hi Denyse - I'm starting to see that there's always something out there if we are open to finding it. I'm also discovering that you can try things that you think you will like.....and then find that they may not be a good fit after all. When you're free to 'try before you buy' life offers an amazing amount of options! And I'm so glad you have the head space returning to be able to think of new adventures :)

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  2. Hi, Leanne - There are very wise words here. I agree - that if we keep ourselves flexible and open to new experiences, we never know what cool opportunity may lie just around the corner!

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    1. Exactly Donna! Every time I think I have things worked out and that life can't surprise me, along comes a new opportunity or even something to just consider for now in anticipation of where it might lead down the track...

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  3. Leanne, my post this week looks backwards, but like you, I am actually trying on some new things. I totally agree with you that opportunities are there and it's about deciding which ones fit you the best. Right now, I'm loving a new exercise class I started and I'm going to be a volunteer at a kids summer camp. Both are pushing out of my comfort zone. I wasn't even aware I wanted any change, but both things popped up and both sounded intriguing. I'm glad to hear also that the little job seems to be going well for you. My mom used to say, "when a door closes, a window opens." (Hip = door... new job = window). :-)

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    1. Hi Pat - I'm so glad you're settling into your new life and finding things to challenge you and open new doors. If we don't stretch ourselves then we risk being stuck in a place we're not entirely happy with. I'm also learning that you can try something new and then discard it if it's not a good fit. Being open to 'windows' appearing when those doors close is great advice and I'm busy trying a few new windows (and bookmarking a few others for later!)

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  4. So very true - all of this. As you probably know, hubby began volunteering for an op shop when he first retired - and now he's out of retirement managing one. They always need good reliable volunteers and have been knocked about a lot by covid - partly because of health concerns and partly because they rely on mutual hours obligations with Centrelink & most of those people weren't required to complete their mutual hours obligations (although some did voluntarily). It can be quite rewarding. One door closes, another opens and all that. Take car of that hip though!

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    1. Hi Jo - I didn't realize Grant had taken on managing an op shop - good on him! The manager I spoke to the other day was so committed to the organization and so keen to get others onboard. I'm very tempted, but my hip is saying "wait girl!" so I'll put it on my backburner for now and maybe next year it'll be the right time. And yes, she also mentioned about Centrelink people not always showing up for the full commitment. I think it'd give them some great transferable skills.

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  5. Hi Leanne - I loved the title of your post. It resonates so well with me.
    One of the beautiful features of life is that there might be ups and downs, but there are also lots of surprises.
    Of course, only if we are keen on looking for them, accepting and embracing them.
    They say the "what happens is always for the good", and "the best is always yet to be".
    Take care.
    (My latest post: Online games and the idea of beauty)

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    1. Hi Pradeep - you're so right about life supplying us with opportunities if we want to push ourselves a little bit. I see that you made it all the way through the AtoZ for another year - that's a challenge in itself! And yes, I definitely believe the best is still ahead.

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  6. Hi Leanne- I loved this post! You continue to to inspire with your words. As you know, I'm busy with my art. When we get finished with the sunroom, and my trees are done, I'll have a space out there, to work on my clay fairy sculptures. In November, we have a trip to the States planned, and then we'll spend the winter in Spain, and Morocco. I do want to make time, for getting videos up, as well. Thank you for sharing. xxx Christina Daggett

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    1. Hi Christina - you lead SUCH an amazing and interesting life. You could start a whole Etsy business with your fairy sculptures and I can't wait to see the trees you're working on - that'll be a youtube episode in itself! I can't believe you're travelling so much with all the effort you've put into making your apartment so lovely - but I can also appreciate that it gives you a gorgeous base to come home to when you're needing a break and some re-energizing.

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  7. Thanks, Leanne. This is true to the heart. Some call it: Serendipity or Openness of Being. All I know is when I am in need, I pray, I hope, and I am open-minded. And something comes to fill me ... and fulfill me. Change is in the Wind for me now and now I know I am Ready to accept it. Blessings to you!

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    1. Hi - I'm so glad you enjoyed my post and that it's helped inspire you towards taking on your new challenge. I prayed a lot about what to fill my extra time with and this job appeared out of the blue. Sometimes I wonder if we're given things to show us a new direction or to confirm that it's time to accept where we are. The job is still a bit of a question mark for me, so I think that's what appealed to me about other things being in the wings just waiting to be tried. Good luck with your new venture - keep me posted!

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  8. Right after the virus started I really hurt my knee just coming up the hill in our back yard. We are in our 70"s and hubby has health problems so I did not want to go to the doctor or hospital at that time. I had pain 24/7 for months and along about August I decided that even though I couldn't walk or exercise, I could at least begin to clean up my diet while I waited for some healing to begin. I gave up sugar completely as a first step. Eight months later I began walking slowly around the house a few times a day. Long story short- here it is almost two years later and I have lost 52 pounds, walk three miles a day without even breaking a sweat and never felt so healthy in all my 70 years. Never saw a doctor and let my knee heal on its own.
    My point in all this is that there can be something positive in any situation if we just learn to listen to the message.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth - that's absolutely amazing and yes, you are the perfect example of what can happen when we take responsibility for what we can change and act on that. Sitting around waiting for life to happen to us, or waiting for others to make things "perfect" is pretty futile. I think it's up to us to give things our best shot and see where that takes us - even if you'd needed surgery on your knee, the weight you lost (which was such an achievement!) and the exercise you did would have made the process so much quicker and the healing so much easier. But you took it to the next level and I'm so happy for you - I'm trying to keep on top of things while I'm exercising less so that the weight doesn't start creeping on (the worst thing for a dodgy joint!)

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  9. Hi Leanne - I am in the same position as you at the moment with the chronic pain (not being able to walk very far, not exercising like I wish, not doing the volunteering at the SPCA, etc.) but I take it one step at a time and I find that reading and doing research on various topics is healing for me and I am learning to be kind to myself and to extend compassion to the different parts of my body that require healing. I get frustrated, that is for sure and being positive is good but I am aware of toxic positivity. As you said, life is a series of ups and downs. You're not alone. I am thinking of you and thank you for sharing the good and the not so good moments. Did you find the blog Turning Straw into Gold?

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    1. It's such a disheartening phase of life to be in isn't it Yvonne? Every day I hope it will be improved and every day it's the same or even a bit worse.....and it impacts on so many areas of life. I choose to look at the positives but also acknowledge the difficulties (I worried that last week's post sounded a bit like "poor me" but fortunately others didn't think so). I'm not going to say this is a "fun" learning experience - I feel like there's been enough of those through my life, but it is what it is and life has some pretty good stuff in it to balance things out.

      I found the TSIG blog in Psychology today and it's been an interesting and encouraging read for sure. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

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  10. I definitely think things in life tend to ebb and flow and try to keep myself open to new things as well.

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    1. I love that there is always a little rainbow or silver lining - or even just a glimmer of joy - if we look and are open to finding what life might have in store for us Joanne. :)

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  11. I agree Leanne there is always something that pops up when you least expect it and usually when you've taken time out. I think time out gives you perspective and a more open mindset. Good luck with the job and if you hadn't had your dodgy hip the Op Shop volunteering would have been perfect. Take care xx

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    1. Hi Sue - I often think of that super cheap offer you found on the internet to start you on your fitness instructor journey and how being brave enough to take it on - and then adjust through all the covid restrictions - has brought you to a place where you're so happy and working right in your sweet spot for your skill set and stage of life. Sometimes we just have to 'have a go' and see where life leads us - we've still got a lot to offer!

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  12. Thank you for sharing this, Leanne. Your attitude and openness are such an inspiration. People keep asking me what I'm going to do when I retire (a natural question), and I respond rest and recharge for a month or so and then start exploring. I'm open to whatever the Universe brings me. Of course, I will meet it halfway by proactively looking at options and simply being aware of opportunities that present themselves. I also commit to not taking my healthy body for granted. I will appreciate it and protect it while it lasts, and if (or when) something goes out on me, I will do my best to follow your example with a positive attitude and open mind.

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    1. Hi Christie - it's surprising how easily the days get filled when you stop work. I was fortunate in that I was only working part-time when I stopped, so already had some leisure activities in place. That being said, there's so much online to hook into - courses, tutorials, educational stuff etc and a lot in the local community when you actively look. You're going to enjoy it so much - and yes, when something goes amiss, you can resent it or approach it with a can-do attitude.....I'm aiming for the can-do so this stupid hip doesn't beat me!

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  13. Hi Leanne, yes I agree life is never perfect but continually up and down but it's always interesting! Some great quotes here in your post and i always enjoy catching up :)

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    1. Hi Deb - I loved the quotes and the inspiration they gave me. I've been juggling some things around lately and it's been such a relief to know that nothing is written in stone and we can change and adapt if we choose to approach life proactively.

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  14. After eight years of retirement I'm feeling the need to mix things up a bit. I don't want a "real" job but there are a few volunteer opportunities that look good (including one at a local charity shop). I think it's easy to get in a rut once you've retired and not even realize it. Btw, I scanned the other comments and didn't see any mention of the possibility of getting a hip replacement. I have a couple of friends who had activity-curtailing hip pain and found a new lease on life after the surgery.

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    1. Hi Janis - I think that retirement can become a little bit Ground Hog's Day-ish if we allow ourselves to slip into a rut (covid curtailing things didn't help!) and life's all about staying engaged and interested - I'm thinking that thrift/charity/op shop volunteering sounds like a lot of fun - and less demanding than a "real" job.

      Thanks for the comment about hip replacement - I wrote about my hip a few weeks ago and I'm off to see a surgeon for a consult next week - a hip replacement is very likely in my future next year and I'm hearing a lot of positive outcomes from others, so I'm very hopeful that this chronic pain will be a distant memory soon. x

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  15. Hi Leanne, Thank you for linking up with us at #weekendcoffeeshare. Nature shows me every day that changes are constant and everything is temporary. I'm an optimist so I agree that if we stay flexible and be open to new experiences, we may get good experiences.

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    1. Hi Natalie - I think staying open to what life might bring to us is the key. And yes the rest of nature is continually in flux, so it's good for us to embrace that idea and be ready and willing to take on new challenges when they present themselves.

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  16. Hi Leanne, I'm sorry about your dodgy hip. My first husband had two hip replacements when he was 27 and 29 respectively. They were relatively simple and I've heard it is so much easier now. Good luck with your new job. It's always a challenge knowing which road to take in life. Whichever one you chose, you will have changes. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. :) Marsha

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    1. Hi Marsha - that's really young for hip replacements - he must have had a congenital problem (like me) that impacted early. So good to hear that he had a good outcome both times - I wonder if he'll need to have them redone at some stage? I'm hoping mine (if I need it) will last through the next few decades and get buried with me :)

      Thanks for the good wishes re: my job, I've already set a few changes in place to try to make it a better fit. The important thing for me was to go back and re-set the ending of my working life and this has been the perfect way to accomplish that.

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  17. I'm sorry to hear about your hip. And you're so right--life gives and takes away, and if we want to be happy, we have to adapt and find meaning, purpose, and joy while playing the hand we're currently dealt.

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    1. Hi Janet - I think you said it perfectly about playing the hand we're dealt - we don't get to choose the cards, but we do get to choose how we play them. And each time we get a new lot dealt to us, the outcome changes and life progresses.

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  18. I love how you said that "life isn't written in stone". Such an important thing to remember. Thank you for sharing LEanne. Looking forward to hearing more about your job.

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    1. Hi Kirstin - it's something I remind myself of when I'm making a decision about change - nothing is permanent and we can always decide to change again (and again....) I like that life continues to evolve and we can enjoy the ride.

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  19. This was such a positive read!

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