Widowhood

This Is the Time of Your Life

By Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP

If you’re a woman who has reached mid-life a bit dazed and crazed by the passage of time, you are not alone. No one would disagree that women experience a dizzying array of life transitions. 

From getting a job to getting married to having children to being divorced or widowed, a woman needs strength and resilience to weather life’s changes.

After years of taking care of business and taking care of others, women often reach middle-age wondering when the life they dreamed of for themselves is going to begin. Good news! Life can begin at 50 or 60 or even 70--prime time for ladies of a certain age begins now!

In her new book, PrimeTime Women™ , Marti Barletta calls today’s 50 to 75 year olds, “the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated, active and influential generation of women in history.” She cites the surprising research discovery that a woman’s 50s and 60s are often the happiest years of her life.

The number of women age 55 and older in the workforce will increase a mighty 52% between 2000 and 2010—from 6.4 to 10.1 million.  That spells a healthy, self-reliant sisterhood with plenty of purchasing power. Today’s mid-life women are far from “over the hill.”  In fact, they are firmly on top of the mountain!

So how can a woman begin making the most of her prime time?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Never Say Never – Don’t let thoughts of “It’s too late” or “I’m too old” enter your head. As San Diego gerontologist Kelly Ferrin (link to site www.ageangel.com) writes, “Who says you can’t hang glide at 90, run hurdles at 80, or become an entrepreneur at 70?” Never let age get in the way of life.
   
   
2. Follow Your Passion – Shape your life around the things you love. Our passionate interest makes it possible for us to absorb new information and learn new skills while enjoying ourselves and keeping the mind and body functioning at a high level.
   
   
3. Live in the Present – Make peace with the past.  Forgive yourself for all the things you didn’t do yesterday and look forward to tomorrow with hopeful anticipation.
   
   
4. Take Responsibility – Have faith in yourself and your ability to direct your life. Trust your wisdom and experience. Deciding to pursue a dream may scare you a little—do it anyway!
   
   
5. Start Where You Are – Don’t be overwhelmed by the prospect of taking on a new life direction. Each small step we take toward our dreams and goals moves us forward and gives us joy and satisfaction.
   
   
6. Laugh Often – A good sense of humor is indispensable for looking on the bright side of life and never taking anything so seriously that it interferes with happiness.

At WIFE we welcome your comments. Please feel free to contact us.

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