Inspire. Encourage. Learn.

Happiness lies in the joy of 

achievement and 

the thrill of creative effort.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

I am excited about the opportunity to share my musings, my creative writing with a wider audience.  My good friend and fellow blogger, Rebecca B. (inasouthernkitchen.com)

helped me all afternoon today and

I am ready to move my 50 Something Woman Blog onto my own website.

I hope you will come along beside me as we continue to grow as women, encouraging

our daughters, our nieces, and all of our young lady friends who are coming along behind us.

Find me at joanwpage.com.

Peace in Silence

"Better to remain silent 

and 

be thought a 

fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."  

~Abraham Lincoln~

A friend of mine who lives in England recently mentioned the poem Desiderata to me and this really sent me to thinking more and more about it.  I have pictured here an old framed copy of the poem that was hung in my parents' bedroom in my childhood home and it is one of my greatest treasures.  

Though many believe the myth that Desiderata was first found in 1692 in Old St. Paul's Church, the truth is that is was penned in 1927, 

by American Writer, Max Ehrmann.

"Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings...

Be gentle with yourself."

As I ponder the words in this poem hanging in my parents' bedroom where they could refer to it often as they raised six children, I truly believe that the legacy my Mom and Dad have left behind is mirrored in this old poem.  Desiderata was inspiration in their daily path.
In a 2012 interview, actor, Morgan Freeman expressed how deeply the message in Desiderata had shaped his life.

As a fifty-something woman, I am continually seeking signposts and guidance, not only from our God and His Word, but also through those who have gone on ahead of us.  I also find much wisdom in the written word, as is so beautifully illustrated here in Desiderata.  I can only hope that, like my parents, my legacy will reflect some part of this beautiful message written by Mr. Ehrmann, when my dear Father was a seven year old boy.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

Inspiration in Your Path

Have you ever stopped and considered one or more quotes that resonate with you...that really get
                           
                                                                    your heart moving?

I have found that it is helpful to me 

to have daily inspiration 

 in my path.

~Some of our children's artwork in our garage.~

 

 ~An inspirational quote plaque made by my friend, Jane Ellen~                                                                   

                                                                        

               

This is easy to accomplish by placing posters, quote plaques,

 favorite photos, or artwork in places where you will see them

as you journey through your day...in your laundry area, your

garage, your closet space, or wherever else you know you

will walk by and see it on a regular basis.

~My friend, Kay, who lives in Tennessee made this to greet her guests when they visit her home.~

~This one was completed by my friend, Debby in Dalton, Georgia, for her high school classroom.~

~These here are hung in my girlfriend, Kelly's 

garden shed in Virginia where she will see them often.~

~This poster hangs in our garage.  I love the bright green and it's such a good reminder!~

This is a little gift

you can give yourself without much effort.  

Simply google 

"quotes about _________",  and get started by typing and then 

printing a word document of a favorite quote you find that 

speaks to your heart.  

Then be on the lookout for more thoughts you can add to the 

                                  inspiration in your path.

When you have a little time on your hands, you might want to 

                      purchase an art canvas or a small board

                      from your local home improvement store, 

                                                       and paint or write a favorite quote 
                         
                                                                          as seen here.

October Musings

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."  Dr. Seuss

"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."  George Burns

As a fifty-something woman, my life these days is full of musings.  

I am sure this has a lot to do with more than five decades of living gone by, 

with a variety of sweet memories and sad remembrances.  

A musing is defined as a period of reflection and thought.  

"October is the one month when temperatures moderate in the daytime and invigorate us in the evening.  This month and change in the weather is conducive to reflective thought, exhilarating exercise, outdoor labor, charitable endeavor, courtships 

and pleasant romps with babies and small children." 

~Russell Baker, NYTimes, Ode to October~

Just sitting still for a few minutes on this beautiful October day, my mind wanders back to when our children were small and there was little time to be still and dream.  

Life was all a whirlwind, active and full.  

 Our life today, though definitely different, is just as much fun, but only if my husband and I make a conscious effort for it to be so.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, we go to a Hot Pilates class together on our local Marietta Square.  We prepare light evening meals to share afterwards.

We both enjoy the football season, time with friends, and frequent visits to nearby Blue Ridge Lake. 

This past weekend, we took a trip to see our son and his beautiful bride in their new hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. They thoughtfully planned a visit they imagined we would enjoy including a visit to the stunning Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (pictured above), the GROVE neighborhood Fall Festival, a stop at the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, a walk through the nearly 1,400 acres at beautiful Forest Park (pictured below), a treat at the famous Ted Drewes, a frozen custard stand founded in 1929, and a Sunday morning breakfast at their favorite coffee shop, Cafe Ventana.  

Even with all of this, when we were not in our hotel room, 

we still had plenty of time to simply hang out at their homey apartment.  It was such a fun weekend!

Both our daughter (as of 03/29/14)and our son (as of 06/21/14) are now married and have begun a life on their own with their new spouses and 

we couldn't be happier with their chosen partners and the lives they have before them.

While our son, Walker and his bride live more than 500 miles away, our daughter, Leah and her husband are nearby.  We will celebrate Leah's 26th birthday this Wednesday, October 8th!

Life is Good.

Just as we started our lives as a young couple more than 32 years ago, 

the four of them are beginning theirs.

The beat goes on...

Leaving a Legacy: Part One

"Many times from those who die, we learn how to live."  ~Diane Sawyer, American Journalist, in the days following the 9/11/01 tragedy

My alarm chimed at 5:15 a.m yesterday to remind me that I had promised to drive to Thomaston, Georgia for the day.  My husband of 32 years grew up there and his Dad, Don Page was going to be the speaker of the week at the local Kiwanis Club.  I was really glad I was able to be there to hear my father-in-law tell about his life's mission of serving others.  At nearly 84 years of age, after a tumultuous, impoverished upbringing, Don rose above to be the first in his family to attend college, followed by Law School at the University of Georgia.  As I listened to this brief talk, I considered the strong legacy Donald A. Page, Sr. has built for his children, his grandchildren and future generations-one of service, kindness, godliness and love.
As I drove home alone in silence, I pondered the challenge of leaving a positive legacy when we pass on.  I often repeat the anonymous quote:  "This isn't a dress rehearsal.  We only get one chance at this life."  What kind of legacy do you and I want to leave?  I find myself invited by Don to rise up, to live the best life possible while there is still sand in the hour glass.

I hope you'll check out one of my favorite songs about this subject: Nichole Nordeman's "Legacy"