Dotsie Bregel founder of the NABBW says, “According to author Chloe Jon Paul who wrote, Entering the Age of Elegance – A Rite of Passage & Practical Guide for the Modern Maturing Woman, this second adulthood reaches us around age forty and if this “rite of passage” isn’t done with style and grace, we can become disoriented and lose our way.” She then offered members the opportunity to share what the Age of Elegance means to them.  My view of this rite of passage follows.

The Boomer Generation has reached a milestone.  As the first of the boomers look toward retirement, many see a new beginning.  This new beginning is often referred to as a reinvention, but to re-invent something had to be invented first.

Reinvention? … Not me! I’ve been in a beaker on a slow simmer for 58 years and I’ve just begun to turn up the heat!  After living my first 42 years moving robotically from one phase of responsibility to another,  the last 16 have been filled with new learning and discovery – trial and error all that have made each day interesting and exciting.

Just as Christopher Columbus set sail on a journey to find the new world, my daily journeys bring new discoveries, some miniscule, others monumental. Parenting has been replaced with grand-parenting and my bond with my children is stronger than ever.  I treasure each day with my mom and dad and honor them, for they planted the seed for my roots and branches.

From businesswoman to biker, triathlete to author, each experience and accomplishment contributes to my constant evolution.

I Embrace each day for the gift of opportunity.

I am Lucky to have a circle of loving friends and family.

I have Experienced love, loss, survival … and triumph.

I am Grateful for the lesson I have learned from my fortunate experiences and challenges alike.

I Anticipate each new day with excitement and hope.

I say “No” with dignity and “Yes” with conviction.

I am Content knowing I don’t have all the answers.

I can find serenity amid chaos.  I have Evolved to this “Age of Elegance and look forward to the future”.

How do you feel about this milestone for your life?