Would you believe that the road paved with setbacks can be the way to fulfillment? To love? To joy? To peace of mind? To happiness? To success? To satisfying relationships?

 Are what we perceive as setbacks, always actually a setback? This week’s episode was inspired by one of my recent experiences, and a comment made in the show A Million Little Things. All of this led me to the concept of how our perception of situations can affect the quality of our lives.

 Things are not always as they appear if we are able to zoom out and be more of an observer of our lives. I hope that you’ll zoom in with me to see that possibly what we see as setbacks on our road of life are actually pointing us in the right direction.

Are you where you want to be? This episode was inspired by an article I wrote some years ago that felt very relevant when I re-read it, so I decided to press record and riff on this topic for 11 minutes.

I share how I searched for the answers as a younger person, and as I got older. If we choose to be open and aware, we can always be learning how to have what we crave and be happy with what we have all at the same time.

We can feel happy and stuck at the same time. What can we do to help move the needle so it will play the soundtrack of our lives that we choose? The answer is simple, and it’s in the last 30 seconds. I hope you’ll join me! 

This episode of Loving Later Life is brought to you from my bed. Yes. My bed. This was the only way it was going to happen. I had to give myself permission to let go of the process and procedure I had held myself to and allow myself to do it in a way that was better for me this time. 

That is when I discovered that this episode had to be about giving ourselves permission to do what we need to feel our best, forsaking all other plans and forsaking all others, period.

Hop in with me as I share my thoughts with you, my very special Loving Later Life listeners.

What stories are you telling yourself?

Have you wanted to take a trip but you “can’t” because you have no one to go with you.

Do you put makeup on before going to the gym because you’ll see people you know and don’t want them to see you “that way?”

Have you wanted to sing at a karaoke bar, but you “know” that people will think you’re awful.

Do you not wear a bathing suit because you don’t want to be seen in public because you think everyone will notice the dimples in your thighs?

Are you unhappy in a relationship but “can’t leave because you’re too old to start again on your own?”

Join me as I share how to notice when we are telling ourselves these stories, and what to do about it so we can unlearn them and live a later life we love! How? As vulnerable as it feels, I use one of mine to show you what I’m doing about it in real time.

Laura Schmidt of Notes to Self Positive Affirmation Socks is my guest! This is a must listen if you love being inspired by someone else’s story of courage, heart, and incredible success.

In this episode of Loving Later Life, Laura tells her fascinating story of how she went from a pre-med degree to building what her family calls a sock empire that is changing the world one positive message at a time. The idea for Notes to Self came to her at age 47.

Please join us. I promise that you will be positively inspired!

Are you a planner? Do you schedule everything so you can be organized and proactive, attempting to avoid all possible pitfalls along the way? And if you spend all your time planning, are you missing what is happening in your present moment?

Are you living life or just planning it?

This is an unplanned episode from the couch before I unexpectedly got on another plane headed to the East Coast. When my daughter breaks her foot and asks me to please come help her for a few days, I just go. Without plans and without over-thinking I’m in each moment making it happen.

So many of us seem to be constantly controlling our schedules in advance. I’m wondering if we are also allowing ourselves to enjoy what we’re doing when we’re doing it. As we get older, I think we become more acutely aware of precious moments and the importance of paying attention to them.

I hope you’ll join me on my couch as I talk with you as if you are on the other end of the phone. This time, I’m asking YOU for the take-aways, and what will be your mission?! Please email me at [email protected].

How a Sense of Community and a Keychain Made a Magical Weekend…and inspired this episode.

For those of you who listen regularly to Loving Later Life know that there was no episode last week as I prepared to go across the country for a workshop. I’m here to tell you that it was an incredible growth experience with many exciting take-aways, some of which I will share another time because there’s still so much I’m processing.  

The experiences I share in this episode include spontaneous adventures, realizations, and stories of the welcoming people in a town I’d never heard of, which culminate in two reminders that seemingly don’t go together; and also must.  I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride!

Hey everybody! This is going to be a shorter than the usual not so long episode…and please stay to the end so I can tell you something fun and important.

The reason this is shorter is because I am getting ready for a trip that will be taking me many miles out of my comfort zone. I often talk the talk of how we have to be willing to take a risk or nothing will change; and I try to walk the walk just about every single day. Well, this will not be walking but flying. Literally.

In this episode I share with you where I’m going and why, and why I’m nervous and excited. It is also important to listen to the end so you know what is new and different for next week!

See you there!

This episode is very important for all of us. Please join me as I share the personal moments and revelations I had one night about the people in my life.  

I was at the surprise engagement party my son made for his partner. And that wasn’t the only surprise. I unexpectedly re-discovered how good it feels to be amongst people who are accepting, loving, genuine, supportive and kind. I felt a vibrational match with this group of amazing humans that I have not yet felt in this season of my life.

Just a few days later I was reminded that according to a study done by the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the single best decision you can make to improve your health and happiness is to cultivate warm relationships. These are the people who make you feel warm and fuzzy; and safe.

And then I heard a recording from Oprah where she said, “We are responsible for the energy that we allow to be brought into our space. You cannot move forward in your life to the level you want if you allow people in your space who are not supportive of you.”

This all could not have been timelier for me. I'm confident it will impact you as well. 

Welcome back to Loving Later Life this is Nancy Lang Gibbs your host and fellow Loving Later Lifer. Whether you’re in your car or lounging in a chair at a pool on vacation, taking a walk, on the couch relaxing…just don’t be eating for this one!

I recently had a very fun 48 hours thanks to being in later life. Let’s just say you cannot say I’m full of shit. How’s that for a hint? Yes, had a colonoscopy. And I decided that it would be so cool to take you along with me on the journey, so I recorded myself (you can relax, not during any of those moments) as I was going through the time before as to what I was doing and how I was feeling. And then afterward on the ride home…which to be honest, I have no recollection of what words came out of my mouth.

Before the entertainment portion of the episode, I remind you all of the importance of getting a colonoscopy and some updated information we should all know.

Warning: There are some frequent puns that will roll your eyes! Join me!!