I’m Renea, a retired educator turned wine bar conversationalist. This is Conversations Over Wine—where wisdom is poured and stories are shared.

Each week, we slow down, pour a glass, and talk about life’s lessons, aging with intention, and what really matters as we grow older. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s begin.

This week’s episode is all about taking a careful, introspective look at where we are and how to make peace with a life that may look different than what you had planned. This is a topic I can certainly relate to and hope to be able to share some things today that will help you embrace the life you have even when it is not the one you were expecting.

I feel that gratitude is the cornerstone for being at peace with your life. Every day when I wake up I recite at least three things I am grateful for before I allow myself to touch my phone. It sets the stage for the day, but also reminds me of all the good. I always want to start with the good. Being grateful for the life you have regardless of whether it is the one you planned can really be imperative to how you perceive it.

Now, is this the life I had planned? Is this the one I saw in my mind 10 years ago? Not exactly. But guess what? That other one was not meant to be and would probably have not been all I thought it would be even if it had gone another road. I thought I would be happily married, still living in suburbia and living a life with someone I loved. That has not been the way of things for me. I am single, living the urban, tiny house style life. It is not what I planned, but oddly enough it is a wonderful life. I had no idea how much having a quiet, peaceful, simple, and yes, single life would lead to so much contentment.

Next to finding gratitude every day, I truly believe filling your life with the things that bring you the most happiness is important to being at peace with it. But in order to do that, you must really get to know yourself. If you are in your 50, 60s and beyond the next stage of life is when we circle back to ourselves. We have to remind ourselves of what we really enjoy doing. If you are younger, you may just now be discovering what brings you the most joy. Get your journal out and make a list of 3-5 things that bring you joy. Then, make a plan to incorporate them into your life. And in all of this, don’t forget to spend time with those who bring joy into your life! Many studies have shown that personal relationships are the number one factor of true happiness. Be intentional about setting time in your schedule to spend time with friends and family who fill your cup. The more you incorporate the things you love into your daily life, the easier it is to fall in love with the life you are now living.

One last way I have learned to embrace my life as it is is by not spending too much time ruminating on the past or what might have been. I do my best to look forward and keep my face toward the sunshine. I realize it is completely normal to reminisce sometimes, but you can’t stay there. Take an occasional peak, and move on.

For me, I have made peace with the life I am living by keeping a grateful heart, filling my life with the things I love and that bring me joy, and keeping my face toward the sunshine while focusing on the life I actually have now, not looking backwards or staying in the past.

Closing Toast

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please take a few minutes to like, comment, and download my podcast. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given. Until next time, cheers.