Another Year
Hard to believe another year has gone by! This past year was an opportunity for renewal and finding the strength to make changes. I never realized the strength inside of me and how things are always perfect, and at the right time, to fulfill my highest good. I am so grateful for the incredible people that have come into my life this past year and for the opportunities that presented themselves to me.
I teach water aerobics at our local YMCA and am so honored to have made a difference in the lives of the members who attend my classes. They are mostly older adults who are such an inspiration to me each day. Working for the “Y” in this way is probably my favorite job. I have realized through this experience that touching peoples’ lives each day in a positive way is my purpose. Discovering our purpose is not always so clear cut. We are all on a journey that leads us to what we are meant to be and the difference we are meant to make in the lives of others.
Situations that occur whether negative or positive all have a purpose. We have lessons that we must learn to get us closer to our purpose. It is not the circumstance, but the way you look at it. We can choose to view it as negative or as a lesson learned. There were many challenges that I faced in 2014. For example, the largest challenge was that I lost my home because I could no longer afford it. I had to move to an apartment again. I was supporting my daughter and her family for quite a while because they both lost their jobs. Luckily they were able to move in with me at the time and it took over two years for them to get in a better place and get back on their feet. They are now in their own apartment not far from mine.
I am still getting myself in a better financial position, but overall I cannot complain. I love my apartment and life is good! I am on my own again and feel at peace. A negative situation has changed my life, but for the better. I now have the freedom to explore opportunities that I couldn’t before because of the expense of the house and the financial obligations that I was responsible for.
I have so much to be grateful for! I have an amazing family with two beautiful grandsons, who I see regularly. That really puts a perspective on life when you see the blessings around you and focus on that rather than the negative in your life. I am very excited about 2015! It is a continuing journey and I am looking forward to what awaits me!
By Marie Giammarco
Marie Giammarco is a mid generation Boomer who came of age in suburban New York, 50 miles north of the city. A child whose mom and grandparents were Italian immigrants, her close knit family defined her growing up years. The product of an environment that revolved around food, health, and physical activity, she saw many elderly people age before their time because they lacked these things. She has a passion to help Boomers and Seniors to be active and live a longer, more healthy life.