 By Shae Hadden | Bio
Several
years ago, a wise 93-year-old man named Hayden shared with me his
principles for living life “at the growing edge”. He had printed them
on cards, in the shape of a bookmark, and distributed them to everyone
who engaged in meaningful conversation with him. Today, as I’m
recovering from the first major surgery I’ve ever had, I was drawn to
reflect on a couple of them again. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I
shared them with you now:[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Fearless Aging
Tagged with:
choice
compassion
growing
health
letting_go
responsibility
By Shae Hadden | Bio
It’s
so easy to get ‘comfortable’ with the circumstances of our lives—even
when they are uncomfortable or when we can see that they may very
likely lead to discomfort. It’s almost natural, sometimes even
expected, that we complain about what’s ‘not right’ or ‘not perfect’ in
our lives. But complaining (to ourselves or others) doesn’t change
anything and we’re left ‘adapting’ ourselves to living with whatever is
contributing to our discomfort. [ Read More]
Written by eldering at Leadership
Tagged with:
choice
circumstances
comfort
complaining
future
possibility
victim
By Shae Hadden | Bio
It might be said that existence isn’t possible without both pleasant
and unpleasant experiences—without pain and pleasure. They are like a
guidance system, helping us navigate through life and orienting us away
from illness and danger and death. I’ve been relating to the physical pain I’m experiencing since my car accident as a source of learning.[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Learning
Tagged with:
choice
joy
pain
suffering
By Shae HaddenBio
I’ve had some further insights since my last post about Balance. No matter what the extent of my commitments, I see ‘balance’ as my
ability to be ‘grounded’ and ‘present’. In each moment, I’m doing what
I’m doing…and just that. Nothing else. The whole idea of ‘balancing
work and life’, as if they are polar opposites, makes no sense to me.[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Health
Tagged with:
balance
choice
commitment
life
play
work
By Shae Hadden
Bio
Finding balance in life has been a concern of mine for a long time.
From the number of times it comes up in conversation, it appears to be
a major concern for many others as well. My struggle for balance came
to a head recently with a series of inexplicable dizzy spells.
Admittedly, I’ve been running non-stop since my mother passed away
suddenly two years ago—abandoning a work situation where I felt
inspired but unappreciated, leaving a 20-year relationship with my
husband to find out who I was and to find opportunities to grow,
abandoning my self-care practices to commit myself fully to my career,
taking no ‘time out’ to rest or recoup. I left behind my sense of
security and let go of my connections to the past—even changing my
name. The race I’ve been running and the choices I’ve made have often
left me feeling ‘unbalanced’ and disoriented.
[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Health
Tagged with:
balance
choice
commitment
life
play
work
By Shae HaddenBio
As the evenings get cooler and days shorter here, summer holidays wind
down. Everyone seems to be preparing for the start of September, and
looking forward to the last real weekend before things start up again.
Most everyone I talk with has enjoyed some of the summer outside with
family and friends, and I find myself experiencing a twinge of regret.
For me, the last few months have been a blur of work indoors in front
of the computer, interspersed with a few brief moments of relaxation.
This afternoon, I am acknowledging that I have ‘missed’ this summer
altogether in my efforts to fulfill as many of my commitments as
possible.[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Personal Empowerment
Tagged with:
choice
commitment
perspective
relationship
time
By Shae HaddenBio
My sister reminded me last night that it’s gardening season. “The next
three weeks are for planting,” she said. And that was it. For her, the
next three weeks of her work life will be determined by her definition
of this part of the growing season. Purchasing young seedlings,
transplanting older plants, making last minute preparations of the
garden beds, placing vital nutrients around plant roots. Working the
soil and planting things.[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Learning
Tagged with:
choice
compassion
gardening
growth
surrender
By Shae Hadden
Bio
Was talking with a close friend this week, and we were both
acknowledging how much we’ve changed over the last few months. Looking
back, it would seem the circumstances of our lives have forced us to
grow, to expand our individual perspectives to encompass all the
challenges life has offered—from critical illnesses and ongoing health
concerns to business changes, relationship transitions and dramatic
encounters with fear and uncertainty.
Yet
it’s not really the situations we’ve found ourselves in that have
instigated our growth. Life happens…irrespective of our wants, wishes,
desires, needs. The situations and events of our lives are simply
potential catalysts, opportunities for us to choose. [ Read More]
Written by eldering at Personal Empowerment
Tagged with:
acceptance
allowing
choice
resistance
By Shae Hadden
Bio
It’s the battle cry of couch potatoes everywhere: “I’m too tired to do anything but watch TV.”
The secret language of couples that says so much more: “Not now, honey, I’m too tired…”
Parent’s pat excuse for eating fast food: “Let’s order take-out tonight. I’m too tired to cook…”
Employees incessant murmur: “I wish I could retire…I am so tired of this bullshit….”
[ Read More]
Written by eldering at Health
Tagged with:
choice
insomnia
tiredness
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