Doing it all over again: if I knew then what I know now

A year ago, my husband and I set in motion a series of leaps (of faith) that turned our well-laid retirement planning into a buckle-up-for-the-ride-of-a-lifetime adventure. But to say we were unprepared would be an understatement. For example, what if we’d known our small town would receive a record snowfall (with only front-wheel drive vehicles…

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Catching up: permission to rest

I noticed it over a month ago during my morning walk: a tree in our neighborhood sporting a colorful top hat. In addition, the coniferous tree needles have turned into shades of brown and gold before dropping to the ground. And the morning temps on the mountain reflect the nighttime lows dipping into the 20s.…

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When results and efforts differ: defining growth

Now that we’ve surpassed the five-month mark into our new adventure on the mountain (see After the Leap), due to a three-week setback with COVID early on—as well as multiple challenges that have taken precedence—it often seems we have little to show for our efforts. Especially when they’re not tangible or measurable; e.g., personal growth,…

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When 1 bad egg ruins the bunch: slowing down

When my husband and I prepared for our latest adventure, we organized a moving sale. The half-day event took hours to arrange, but the big-ticket items—sofas, tables, chairs and daybed—sold well. However, when we learned our new cabin was fully furnished, we needed a quick way to unload a few more pieces of furniture. Enter:…

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The meaning of prayer: breaking it down

During my husband’s and my move from Arizona’s Southwest Valley—to a small town located along the Mogollon Rim that borders the Coconino National Forest—we left our old lives behind to begin a new adventure. At one point, a vehicle passed us with the words “Keep praying!” sprayed on the back window. I smiled to myself,…

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Owning it: accepting that your feelings are valid

We’re more than one month into our adventure and guess what? It’s harder than we anticipated. We ask ourselves often: What did we miss? Did we want it so much that we ignored logic? Maybe. Would we feel differently had we not contracted COVID? Probably. And remember how darkness ushers in doubts and fears? Sickness…

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A youthful spirit: redefining ‘adventure’

Someone recently told me: “You know you’re getting old when… homemade Chex Mix excites you.” Instead of a precursor to old age, however, I prefer to classify it as “childlike appreciation” for the simple things—a youthful spirit unburdened by the trappings of commercialism, materialism and “comparisonism.” As I navigate the latter half of Club 50…

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