Every once in a while (maybe even once in a lifetime) you meet someone who is the sheer, unadulterated, living, breathing embodiment of LIFE.
That’s Gigi Schilling.
I had the good fortune to “meet” her on Facebook last year, shortly after my book was out and my publisher was hollering at me to start a FB page.
I did. I doubt either Gigi or I could remember who “friended” who . . . but by April 2010, we were clicking the “like” button on each others comments. (more…)
There are words that need to be attached to other words to make sense and have any impact or meaning . . . and those are often the words that are used by people who go on and on. Nothing wrong with that, of course, since words are a beautiful thing, and can be used for good. But, as I get older, I want more of less. “Get to the point!” I often think . . . or . . . “tell me what I need to know and tell me now!” But, I usually don’t do that because it isn’t polite.
Then, there are words that are so simple and yet are filled with so much meaning and feeling and emotion that it’s just oozing out of them.
YAY is one of them.
YAY is a word (usually accompanied by at least one exclamation point) that I find myself saying and writing . . . frequently. On FaceBook, I am sometimes one of those people who goes on and on (or in this case, post and post), but when I want to encourage, cheer on, applaud, acknowledge, or when I simply don’t know what to say in response to a FB friend’s post . . . I write YAY!. It somehow just . . . works.
Turns out that saying YAY! to someone makes them feel good. And, there’s more . . . saying YAY! makes ME feel good.
No doubt a study will come out one day showing the tremendous health benefits of saying this mighty little word . . .
And, it’s contagious. Go ahead. Try it. Say YAY! when someone gives you some good news, even if it’s as simple as “it’s not supposed to rain tomorrow.” The response? It will be “YAY!”
Yay!
Best of Everything,
Barbara
Dear Everyone,
I was against Facebook. I thought it would be a waste of time, and a way of sneaking peeks into the lives of strangers as they posted photos of kids, trips, and dogs.
I was so wrong.
Well, there is alot of that . . . and it’s all great . . . BUT . . . it’s so much more.
Who knew?
Who knew that on Facebook there would be gazillions of women my age reaching out to other gazillions of women my age . . . to connect, to share, to help, to support, to encourage. And, yes, to show off photos of their kids, trips and dogs. I love seeing the “real lives” of all my new Facebook friends. It helps to make the connection even stronger.
Women want to be heard . . . but they also want to hear.
Turning 50 is not always easy. It can be filled with all kinds of new changes on all levels, and connecting with other women who are going through the same thing is . . . comforting and empowering.
I was stuck in the mire when I turned 50. Not because I was freaked out by being 50, but I just wasn’t prepared. It had sneaked up on me, and I had far too many questions.
Before I became a Facebook Fanatic, I did my own research and sought out the advice of many esteemed experts, all of whom helped me to understand the new challenges that come with turning 50, and how to deal with them. I shared everything I learned in a book.
Now that I’ve discovered and embraced Facebook, I will continue to share what I learn with all my new “after 50 friends” . . . BUT, I also want to hear and learn from them.
Encourage all your women friends over 50 to join Facebookand become part of the ongoing conversations. Some studies have shown that one of the largest growth segments for Facebook is women over 50! The more we connect, the more powerful we will be!
Best of everything,
Barbara