Time to be EXCITED about your life!

Hi Everyone,
Wow, it's been a month since I last posted... I can't believe it. So much has happened and I've been so busy. Glad to be back sharing with you.

I hear from so many people, especially many who are aging, that they are still "settling" for mediocrity ... still living life as others expect them to. It makes me so sad. In my own "Pollyanna" way, I just want people to be happy and fulfilled. I want you to do whatever it takes to have the life you want.... AND, I know I can't make anyone take the steps. I can cheer you on, I can get you going, ask the questions, help you see who you can BE... but you have to do the work.

Question: Who do you want to BE?

Three weeks ago, I spent 4 days alone, in retreat, writing 3/4 of my new book about HOW TO ReInvent yourself. It was bliss .. to be away from my normal environment, writing daily ...and now I'm nearly done.
FYI: The new book is called: When You Want Things to be Different: 7 1/2 Steps to Transcend the Status Quo. YOu'll be thrilled with it.

After writing for 4 days, I went off on a Spiritual, meditation retreat .. to bliss out and relax. What a fabulous week.

POINT: I can do all this because I work for myself .. doing what I love. I make my own schedule, I don't get on a train or in a car and work elsewhere from 9-5. I'm so blessed. Perhaps, you can figure out how to create that sort of freedom for yourself!


To continue. The last 2 weeks, I've been a crazy person, putting together REInvention flyers for workshops in NY, in London and building my repertoire of offerings. (Yes, I do have to earn a living ... dont' have a trust fund.)

Now, here's what I really want to write about today. I got an email from my old business coach. He raised the question .... What are you excited about? And, he made the point that life is so much richer when you have things to look forward to.
I felt motivated to send him some of the things I'm exicted about right now in my life.
Here they are:

1. My last book came out in March. It's about my reinvention ... divorce, move to NYC, etc. It's called Sixty,Sexy, Sassy and Free: A Real Woman's Story of ReInvention.
It's a memoir and juicy. Read an excerpt at www.sixtysexysassyandfree.com
2. My next book is due out in September ... it's called: When You Want Things to be Different: 7 1/2 Steps to Transcend the Status Quo ..... it's the "how to" ReInvent.
3. I'm now positioned as the ReInvention Hotshot!... love it.
4. I'm speaking in Iowa in September, in NYC the next day and then doing a REInvention workshop in London on Sept. 29th.
5. My son's band (he's the lead singer) has found an "angel investor" ... they'll be crossing over into the bigtime this year. It's a miracle I produced by doing a FREE talk in Boston 2 years ago for a charity group ... met this man, hooked him up with Gabriel and now 2 years later it's come to this.
Check them out at: www.myspace.com/distantlightsmusic --- Gabe is the hunky cute one in front with the white shirt. So, I'm excited to be the Mother of a Rock Star.
6. I have so many new opportunities everyday and I live in NY having a blast. Life is Good... and I'm always excited.

Question: What are you excited about?

I'd love to hear from you.
Have a wonderful Summer day!
Hugs,
Ann

He insinuated that I was YOUNG

Well, believe it or not ... I"m back. I've been traveling all over, being crazy busy and just haven't taken time to write. I miss this process; so here I am.
I hope you're enjoying the beautiful Spring that is upon us. I can't guarantee that it's all over the country; but it's here in NYC and I'm loving it. So, I went outside this morning to run some errands and do some shopping. All the stores are outside here -- no indoor malls. So, when you're shopping you get to be outside walking between stores or subways to get to stores.

I went to a shoe store and it was mobbed. It's one of those wonderful shoe stores that carries healthy shoes (European and expensive). I tried on about a dozen pairs. At one point I checked out a pair that looked really comfy and the salesman looked at me and said, "no ... you can buy that in about 20 years... but not now." He was insinuating that it was "an old lady" shoe. I loved it. I told him I agreed and put it down. Now, he had no reason to say that. it could have even cost him a sale. He was being complimentary and I guess that's good for selling. He did sell me two other pairs -- one of which was probably more than I've ever spent on a pair of shoes before.

Point: One person's positive comment to me that acknowledged that I looked young made my day.
I'm lucky. I don't really look (nor act) my age. People are often shocked when they read that I was born in '46 and that I'm 62. Truly, I'm shocked too. Maybe it's the family genes; however, in some ways I hope not. Although my parents might have looked young, they both died young. I certainly don't want to experience that.
Truly, I think it's my attitude. I refuse to be old. My body feels old sometimes, my wrinkles are increasing, my energy isn't what it used to be; however, I still feel young.

What do you do to contribute to people's perception of your age? Do you stretch your attitude and experiences and keep on learning and trying new things? Are you playful and fun? Do you smile a lot? All of that helps.
I say we all take on being as youthful as we can... within moderation, of course. I don't think it's appropriate for us to wear hot pants and platform shoes. However, we can look elegant and attractive (especially when casual). But, most importantly put on the attitude of a young person. Life is a blast. Enjoy it.
Have a wonderful weekend.