Lifestyle Kuel Life Contributor: Claudia Hufham
Some people are of the mindset that everything happens for a reason. Every person we meet has a role in our life. Some will teach us lessons, not to change us, but to make us a better person. They believe there are no coincidences.
Others think that things that happen in life are just coincidences. That believing everything happens for a reason is only a combination of ignorance and arrogance. All of it can be explained away with science or a mathematical equation.
Holding On For The Ride
Before now, I’ve never put much thought into whether things happen for a reason or if they are just coincidental. I have spent my life feeling that I am just along for the ride and holding on for dear life. That I have little or no control of what’s going to happen next. Sometimes spending more time worrying about what’s going to happen next, instead of living in the moment and enjoying it.
I lived in the mindset that it’s just a matter of time before the wind shifts and stuff hits the fan. Life, well, my life anyway, felt like it was like a balloon that was getting bigger and bigger with good air and I was just waiting for the pin to show up and bust it into a billion pieces. At some point, I was going to run into a bump in the road.
That’s the thing about bumps in the road, as much as I have learned about myself through all of them, they’ve made me realize that there are always more to come. That’s just how life is and no matter if they sneak up on me or if I am expecting them, how I handle them makes all the difference.
Which Leads Me To This
In my reinvention, I’ve started learning about manifestation and the law of attraction.
The law of attraction is the magnetic power of the Universe that draws similar energies together.
It manifests through the power of creation, everywhere and in many ways. Even the law of gravity is part of the law of attraction. This law attracts thoughts, ideas, people, situations and circumstances.
Reading and learning about this law of attraction, I’ve realized that I’ve lived my life feeling like I am not smart enough, good enough, thin enough, talented enough…basically, I am not enough, to get what I want in life.
Doesn’t it just figure that I learn, relatively late in life, that I can create the life I want? That I AM enough. I’m starting to get it and then *WHAM* — Am I young enough? Is it too late?
I feel like that 12-year-old. You know when you weren’t a “child” anymore, but not yet a teenager and you’re not really sure where you fit in. That’s the exact feeling. I am not old enough for the retirement home, yet not young enough to have that “my whole life is ahead of me” feeling. How can I start manifesting what I want NOW? And exactly what do I want? A new career at this age? To make more money? To write a book? Do I have enough time for all that?
On the other hand, when do you get “too old” to have goals and dreams? The day I stop dreaming, I might as well stop living. Aren’t goals and dreams what life is?
When Is Old Too Old
This negative way of thinking is what the “preachers” of the law of attraction would call blocks. The Universe is just waiting for me to get on board. But as soon as I start to figure it out and the Universe is on the edge of its seat, there I go with the “it’s too late” or “I’m too old”. I can only imagine that the cosmos sits back with a big sigh. She was so close!
Motivation
One of the things that motivate me to learn more about this law of attraction stuff is for my daughter. It’s definitely not too late for her. She is just starting and if I can drag her along on this journey with me and show her the way, well I just can’t think of anything better.
This past week, she texted me with an event that was being hosted by one of our favorite stores Reconsidered Goods. If you live in the Greensboro, NC area and you haven’t been you are missing out! It’s a non-profit reuse center and is full of cool stuff and great events. It’s a brilliant idea.
Friday night they were hosting “First Friday ” and the craft of the night was affirmation cards. Laura Maruzzella, from Reconsidered Goods, had all the things we needed to create our cards laid out and trust me there was a plethora of cards, paper, scissors, glue sticks, stickers…well it just went on and on.
Affirmations
Kaylan and I picked out postcards and stuff out of magazines, stickers and even googly eyes to use on our cards. I found a package of cards shaped like teapots that were the cutest things. We glued and laughed and had the best time. Those of you that know me, know that if Kaylan asked me to go shovel dirt with her, I’d be right there, Anywhere with her is the best place to be, as far as I am concerned.
Her affirmations:
I have the power to create change
I am excited about today
Love what matters
I only attract good things
I am in control
My possibilities are endless
All things are temporary
I have the power to create change
It just made my heart almost burst to see her affirmations. How I wish I had them at 30 and known that I have the power within me to create the life I wanted. Not that I had a bad life, but again, looking back I think I was hanging on for dear life. Waiting for my perfect life to come to me. She is young enough to make this happen.
You Know You are Old When
My firstborn, sweet baby girl is 30 years old! Well doesn’t that just bring me right back around to being old? I know that I am not “too” old, but I certainly can’t pretend that I’m in my 40’s anymore. No one is falling for all that.
And if I didn’t need more proof, the other day I stepped into an elevator and there it was, Dancing Queen, my theme song when I was 17, so homogenized over the elevator speakers that I hardly recognized it. Oh my, I think when you hear songs that you cranked up in your car as elevator music, that’s when you know…you are old.
If that wasn’t enough, when you’ve seen the fashion trends come around more than once, you may be considered on the other side of young. Bell bottoms, hip huggers (today they call them “low riders”, whatever) and platform shoes. I had a closet full of these things!
Last but not least, more than once I’ve had a tissue stuffed up my sleeve! Enough said!
At What Age Do you Just Give Up?
But as much as I see the signs, I don’t feel old. Most of the time anyway and again, I can’t stop dreaming and wishing and hoping so why not give manifesting a shot?
When I write, I definitely have times when my brain gets jumbled with ideas and that’s when I know I have to get up and walk around. I need to do something else for a few minutes. Get something to drink, put in a load of laundry, check the mail. Anything that gets my focus off what I am writing about.
Once I’ve had a few minutes away I can then go back to the computer. It’s just my process. The other day as I was writing this post, I got up to walk into the kitchen and there was a commercial on the TV, this beautiful woman says “They say at a certain age, you just give up. I wonder what age that is?” Thank you, Maybelline or whatever company made that commercial! I needed to hear that! Was it a coincidence or sign from the Universe? I’d like to think it was a sign. I suppose the best time to surrender, give up on life, is when you are on your way out.
Doesn’t Hurt To Try
Affirmations, journaling, meditation, none of these things can hurt, right? Too old, not old enough, it’s always something. So I’ve figured it out,
life always has a way of working out and I’m never too old to dream.
I will tell the Universe what I want and expect the Universe to handle it. So here’s to doing my best, enjoying the ride and never losing faith – Old or not.
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About the Author
Claudia Hufham is a blogger, mom to two grown kids and a Boxer/American Bulldog, who found herself looking for a new career at age 59. In her quest to reinvent herself and save her sanity, she started a blog. Her humor and down to earth story telling of her life lessons have led her to be featured on sites like Feedspot.com. You can read more from Claudia at Claudiareinvented. You can follow Claudia on her Instagram and FaceBook Page as well.
Claudiareinvented is featured on Feedspot as one of the Top 10 Women Over 50 Blogs
