All Entries in the "Inspirations" Category

Debbie Sheridan, Flourishing Over 50!

When Debbie Sheridan’s son moved to another continent, she began thinking of the new possibilities for herself and her career. After being a stay-at-home mom for 23 years, it was Debbie’s maternal instincts that really catapulted her into the role of business owner.  She formed a relationship with a young woman she now thinks of [...]

SafePlace Celebration

[ November 18, 2011 to November 19, 2011. ]

2010 SafePlace Celebration: New Beginnings

Featuring Olympia Dukakis
Presented by James Armstrong and Patti O’Meara

WHAT: 2010 marks a new decade and a new beginning for the annual SafePlace Celebration.  We are pleased to announce on Thursday, November 18th & Friday, November 19th, SafePlace will present, as our speaker, Academy Award-winning [...]

Valerie–cancer free!

A few months ago we heard from Valerie who was battling breast cancer. Click here to read that story, and celebrate with her after reading her update below.
May 26:
I am at home and have finished surgery Monday.  I look like a flat tire on one side!  Of course, it hurts and is sore, but I [...]

Jessica’s Daily Affirmation

When you’re feeling a bit down, draw a little inspiration from Jessica and make a list of things you like to put life all in to perspective.

Volunteer and give back to flourish after 50

Women over 50 have many opportunities to give back to community or groups. There are endless programs that  volunteers can bring a variety of skills and experience to their positions in service to communities that make a difference.
Volunteers, whether young or retired, will find that it isn’t just about helping others out, it’s a great [...]

I am not invisible or irrelavant!

Here is Jane’s last update as she prepares to run her first marathon Saturday, at the beautiful age of 61. She has pushed through and accomplished her goal, and has been an inspiration to so many.  You go, girl!
I haven’t been updating my blog as much as I wanted to this week because there [...]

Nadine, reinventing herself at 60

At nearly 60, I decided to leave the world of non-profit management in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved with my husband to Austin, Texas. I hadn’t a clue what I would do in Austin but knew I needed to make a change. I looked into or tried out a couple of things but [...]

An update on Jane Fox, marathon runner at 61

Here’s an update from Jane Fox. She turned 61 on her last birthday, and decided to run a marathon before she turned 62.
I’m into the most important part of my training and, of course, I’m up against my stuff big time. By STUFF I mean all the reasons to not run, all [...]

Meet Valerie, conquering breast cancer

I was diagnosed December 9th, 2009.  I am fifty seven years old. I had two aggressive doctors, and went into chemotherapy January 7th, 2010.  I will complete chemo April 22nd.  I will have my surgery in May, then I will have Radiation for six weeks.  I will continue to take Herceptin until January 2011, [...]

Be inspired by another amazing woman over 50

I received this great story from a new Flourish friend and North Carolina native Terri Erickson a few days ago. She is proof that you can achieve your biggest dreams, even when you’re over 50!
I am a 51-year-old poet who didn’t start writing “seriously” until I turned 45.  Now I’ve had over 70 poems published [...]

Even women over 50 should rekindle their dreams

“First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus, Discourses
Who do your dreams call you to become? How will fulfilling your dreams transform you? If fulfilling a dream will not make you better or stronger is it worth pursuing?
I am convinced that as we reach the [...]

Inspired by The Biggest Loser

Meet Jane Fox, a Flourish Over 50 member who is pursuing a major goal—running a marathon before she turns 62 on her next birthday. She draws her inspiration from The Biggest Loser. I’m sure she will inspire you to get moving, too.
I turned 61 on last birthday and as I was watching the last episode [...]

A British look at life after 50

In a humorous look at aging, British “cupcake maven” and writer Sally Howell sums it all up–who took over our bodies after we turned 50?
Is 50 the new 40?
If Fifty is the new Forty I thank goodness that my children are old enough to fend for themselves!
At Forty I was a capable clear headed multi-tasker! [...]

50, the Video

Here is a fabulous music video celebration of life after 50!
Written by Batya Diamond of Wilton, CT, it is a parody of Taylor Swift’s song about being 15. Watch the video, and you will find yourself smiling at Batya’s words and photos.
Be inspired to share your thoughts about being over 50 with others! Check [...]

Servant’s heart in the Dominican Republic

Well, they’re gone, and I survived. At least I’m getting used to them being gone. (See Faith of a Mom)
My daughter and her husband left three weeks ago, and they already have some amazing stories to tell. Not only did they leave for an extended medical mission to the Dominican Republic, they detoured to the [...]

Dream big

Dream big. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past few months as I’ve been on my journey to rediscovery.
It was just a few months ago that I found myself wondering “Now what?” I had reached the point in my life when it was time to reinvent myself–my kids were “out of the nest,” both [...]

Staying young through our dreams

~Special thoughts from my friend Patty.
I have always been a dreamer. I believe that it is in dreaming that we really stay young. Dreaming somehow keeps the hope of a future strangely grounded by moving us forward and engaged in the present. It is the best youth potion I know of. If I am feeling old of “mind”, I need only to [...]

Faith of a mom

Tomorrow I will send my daughter and her husband off to the Dominican Republic for at least a year. She is a new PA (Physician Assistant) and had decided months ago that she wanted to give back in gratitude for all the blessings and skills she has been given. They chose Makarios in the Dominican [...]

Little boys grow up to be men.

This is a sweet visual reminder of how quickly our little boys grow up to be men. It was not so long ago that my son left his hand prints in a stone along the walkway at the Austin Nature Center. Time flies.

Little boy hands grow into the strong hands of a man

What I’ve learned about being over 50.

Some of the things that being over 50 has taught me…………
Being over 50 has given me the freedom to explore things and grow. I am no longer so concerned about being a Super Mom–raising my children, volunteering in the schools, or hosting youth events. Now I can look outside my comfortable circle and discover the [...]

Andy Rooney on “Women Over 50″

What Andy Rooney thinks about women over 50……………..
“As I grow in age, I value women who are over 50 most of all. Here are
just a few reasons why ……
An over 50 woman will never wake you in the middle of the night to
ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.
If an over [...]