After reading a letter from an old friend I got some unexpected advice from my husband through an old newspaper clipping on taking risks after 50.

‘Shellyisms’

Last night I received an email from my girlfriend, Carole. We attended school together in Kankakee by the Sea. I believe she found HoneyGood.com by chance. I don’t promote myself, though my husband Shelly pushes me to “put myself out there.” He is the most important driving force in my life. Actually, he is my life. For those of you who do not know by this time, Shelly and I share everything. We are like Gracie Allen and George Burns or Donald and Daisy Duck. Everyone who knows us, knows that we are glued at the hip.

Anyway, Carole found my musings online and part of her email last night made me laugh out loud.  She wrote to me to comment on a story that I had just written about women bullying other women. Carole and Shelly are also acquainted. They met last summer at a luncheon in Kankakee by the Sea. Shelly and I drove down to lunch with 16 of my high school classmates and we all had a great time.

Carole’s email read, “On a pleasant note, I so enjoy all your articles. It is a special treat when you bless us with ‘Shellyisms.’ He’s a rare find. Looking forward to you putting these in book form for us to peruse at our convenience… hint hint! Maybe put a Shellyism at the end of each article.”

I loved the term “Shellyisms,” so I immediately looked for Shelly to read him Carole’s email. He was sitting at his desk pondering over an article. He said, “I was just going to give you this article. It was written in the Sun Times on Feb. 12, 1978. I have saved it all these years. I think ‘your girls’ would enjoy reading it. Don’t forget to give the author her just do.” See what I mean about Shelly? He has to be involved in my life…and I love it!

I sat down and read the following, composed by Nadine Stair, age 82 from Louisville, Kentucky. I think you should ponder her words, print her words, then take flight and act on them.

I believe in her school of thought and yet, I would say I am living my life without regrets. I live my life to the fullest. I take lots of chances and never forget to stop and smell the flowers as I go on my way.

(LOOKING BACK ON A LIFE was printed in 1978 in a weekly column by Ellen May Goldberg.)

“IF I HAD TO LIVE MY LIFE OVER AGAIN”

Nadine Stair

If I had to live my life over

I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.

I’d relax. I would limber up

I would be sillier than I have been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains

Swim more rivers.

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles

But I’d have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I’m one of those people

Who live seriously and sanely

Hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I’ve had my moments,

And if I had it to do over again

I’d have more of them.

In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.

Just moments, one after another,

Instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I’ve been one of those persons

Who never goes anywhere

Without a thermometer, hot water bottle,

Rain coat and a parachute.

If I had it to do again

I would travel lighter than I have

If I had my life to live over,

I would start barefoot earlier in the spring

And stay that way later in the fall.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

Taking risks after 50

Dear readers of mine: Be riskier. Take more chances. Most of what you worry about will never happen, and there is the possibility of something great —like a victory —happening along the way.

For the next two days, I am taking a class in the Art of Negotiation. I want to learn how to handle family situations, make wise business decisions and more!  Grow and taking risks after 50. Gotta go, I have to be in class by 8:30 a.m. I don’t let grass grow under my feet. Don’t you either.