playing dragon ball at 84

My Twitter friend, Cathrine from Canada, has had a tough time this year. Bush economics did her no good. A change in the administration didn’t help much either, as lots of boomers are finding. Perhaps Obama will pull the fat out of the fire, but it may be too late for boomers.

Like so many, Cathrine lost her job. She felt she had no options. When you go to file for unemployment and you realize your 50-something birthday looms evilly around the corner, you feel — fear. My husband went through the same thing.

Cathrine will tell you how dark it got for her. She considered solutions that wouldn’t have solved a single thing. She found solutions that brought her out of the dark and into the light and gave her enormous hope. A new path. Read about it on Cathrine’s blog.

Cathrine says she found faith, and her own strong spirit. She gives credit for those findings to a number of things. But, me, I see something obvious that brought Cathrine up and out. Inspiration from others. Reference the photos above.

At 84 years-old, a lot of people lie down and pull an afghan over their knees. One of the ladies pictured above didn’t. She raced Dragon Boats, whatever that is, and was winning championships at 84. You can find her in the picture, world’s oldest Dragon Boat racer, 3rd in 2nd Row .

The photo was sent to Cathrine by another Twitter friend - known as ColorMeRed -whose Twitter profile is vibrant with lush, red lips, exuberance and outreaching energy. The 84 year-old Dragon Ball champ is ColorMeRed’s mom. No surprise there - the energy is hereditary.

You can find new spirit in Cathrine, nurtutred by determined women. When we reach out for help when we’re troubled, and other women take our hands, magic can happen. Cathrine reached out - a friend sent this photograph to her and told the story of an 84 year old athlete.

There followed a determination, a power and a strength that didn’t get into Cathrine by accident. It got there by connections to strong women. Networking. Empowering. My grandmother gave me similar gifts. I haven’t, in some ways, had such a stellar year myself.

On the other hand - I am still getting work from a lot of publications; Dan is working and his surgery was successful. I am near my grandkids and they are all healthy. My two PTSD’d kids are slowly, slowly growing less fearful, more successful.

The gifts we women give each other when we give ourselves the gift of fortitude travel the length of generations. We may never see it. We may never know it happened. But it’s magic. And our daughters reap the benefits.

Be well, and prosper.

Cathrine Twitters as @CathrineFeehely
I Twitter as @mkpelland
Red Twitters as @ColorMeRed
What do you think? Have you had a great experience nurtured by other women? Tell us.

The economy has tanked. What goes down will probably come up. The pundits say depression - human or economical - can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s time for all Americans, indeed, the world’s people, to act as if. See Ten Good Things About the Economy.

Acting as if is a mental health technique. Your counselor encourages you to act as if a certain set of desireable circumstances is true. Example: You and your mate are falling apart. You want the relationship to survive, but you have gotten so distant neither of you risks rejection by reaching out to hug, or kiss, or compliment or support.

So therapists have you list small actions you could perform, or used to perform, that help you reach out. Like this” “I could give a quick goodbye kiss each morning.”

Then act as if you’re in love, and do those things.

You don’t feel like giving that kiss. You might recoil from the thought. You are so far apart emotionally. But remeber, you want this relationship to survive, to heal. Quick cheek peck.

It’s the same with this economy. New York Magazine sees it in their new positive news blog. If business people, bankers, entrepreneurs and consumers act as if the end is near, we will bring it about. If we fear living our normal life - do no spending, wise or otherwise - we add to the problem. If banks refuse to loan money because they are busy buying other banks to make bottom line look stable, we can’t grow. If fearful employers lay off people before that is really needed…

Act as if the economy is ok. Make thoughtful purchases if you can afford to. Take one step toward making your business grow just a hair - even if it feels slightly risky. Don’t give up on your loan application until you find a bank that will lend to you, if you can afford it. Buy a home, if you need it and can afford the mortgage.

Act as if we will face an economic upswing, and we will, you know, soomer or later. Act as if the new U.S, government has and will take sound steps to recovery. Act as if we don’t choose to live in fear or to profit from that fear in others.