But first, I have a confession to make.
I started this blog as a way of marketing my book. There, it’s out. If you feel like dropping me now, I understand.
But something interesting happened to this blog a couple years ago. I found my stride, opened my soul and started pouring out my thoughts about wanting to age powerfully instead of apologetically. The more I called out, the more you answered. We’ve gathered around this electronic campfire in increasing numbers. Some days I get hundreds of visitors, all tuning into the issues that you and I find compelling.
Although most of us are women of middle age and older, we are men, too. We’re wondering how to navigate these last twenty, thirty, forty (God willing) years. How to find the joy and not crumble under the onslaught of change. How to savor the journey, and stop apologizing for our age.
I was at a writing conference a while back, and I was moved by a couple of speakers, one old, one young. The first spoke about accomplishing something in older age; the second, about selling your stuff without selling your soul:
Dr. Frederick Ramsay, Author, Professor, Minister
Frederick Ramsay started writing in his mid-sixties. After two bouts of cancer and one stroke, this human dynamo produced 13 books in 10 years – or maybe it was 10 books in 13 years, but who cares? It’s taken me 10 years to write ONE. Anyway he stood up on stage at this conference and said, in effect, I have to hurry, man. I don’t have a lot of time. He said it plainly, with a strong voice, and it didn’t sound sad or pitiful. It was real, and powerful. This awesome, thoughtful, funny man is using his age to fuel his fire.
On the other end of the age scale is Jeremy Lee James. He gave a voice to my emerging hesitation about marketing my work via social media. Jeremy was teaching a workshop called First Principles: A Writer’s Website and Winning Tactics. He said he worked on the preso for three weeks, but a couple of days before the conference, he trashed it all because, as he said, it made him feel dirty.
Jeremy Lee James, Internet Guru and Philosopher
This dude knows everything about SEO optimization, Google analytics, and all the tricks to get a high return on your internet marketing efforts. And he was prepared to share those tricks with us. Instead, he came to that workshop and told us about a different path he wanted to follow instead. Make your blog – make your online presence – art. Give a gift to humanity. The business, the income, the commercial success will follow if it’s meant to. If it doesn’t happen, you’re not on your true path and you should find something else to do. I couldn’t believe this commercial wizard was telling me something so organic, but it resonated. I appreciated him for it.
Although I only met these men that one time, I consider them mentors. They provided thoughtful guidance, and I feel empowered as a result. Don’t you love when that happens?
Powerful messages indeed. It confirmed for me something God has been talking to me about. Angie 🙂
Thank you, Susan. See you Tuesday.
Lynne, thanks for sharing your insight. I learn with each of. Your posts.
Wow thanks for sharing these 2 inspirational men. Your posts uplift and empower me every week.
Thanks, Pat!
Hi Lynne,
I am in the learning stages of blog creation. I read an article earlier tonight advising us to define the person we are writing to and consistently write to that one person. The author claims, if we are consistent, we will accumulate an army of that one person. The DNA will be different but philosophical beliefs and interests will form a network of followers with common goals. Ultimately, you are writing to that secret person that lives within.
Every dynamic elderly person I know has remained active, flexible, and open to change. They are lifetime students willing to learn and share the experiences. I personally believe the quality of life is more important than the number. I am finding the older I get the younger I think that age is.
Your followers may pay for your book but the journey is free.
Jim, you are lucky that you are in such an active group. Also, I like what you said about the one person until you get started. Now when I compose posts, I think of the people who comment often on my posts, and they’re my inspiration. I hope you’ll visit often and comment. The next time you do, you won’t have to jump thru any hoops.
Wow. Thanks, Lynne! I’m so glad my message resonated with you. Awesome website by the way. Glad to see you’re a doer, and not just a talker! Kudos!
Stop by any time, Jeremy. And thanks again for being so candid with us at the conference. It meant a lot!
Lynne, Thank you for introducing us to these two dynamic men and their powerful messages about providing something meaningful for others and viewing our blogs as art. I’m with you and Debbie regarding starting a blog to promote my work-in-progress then discovering a whole new world of incredible people and ideas and carving out new pathways.Like Dr Ramsey, I don’t have 20 years to publish so I’m in a hurry,too! Great post.
Thanks Kat. It’s good to know you’re in the traces with me.
Outstanding, Lynne! I must confess I, too, initially started my blog (as the folks at Cincy urged us) as a means of promoting my novel. I quickly found myself talking about everything BUT my novel, though, and I’ve found lots of generous, funny, wonderful people willing to go along for the ride. Not all of us want to talk writing all the time. Some of us simply want to connect with others, to beautify our little corner of the world. While I feel Mr. Ramsay’s pressure to get my thoughts down on “paper,” I love what Mr. James says about making your blog ART. Thank you for bringing these gentlemen to our attention — and don’t feel bad about working a full decade on your novel (I probably have, too, and it’s still unpublished. Sigh!)
Debbie, isn’t it good to feel like you’re part of a community of writers and thinkers? I swear, it’s impossible to NOT feel uplifted.