How to Start Appreciating the Simple Things in Life After 50

By Susan “Honey” Good

I have a friend who is a young woman and our personalities are so similar, you might think we are mother and daughter. Our personalities are almost identical. Our thoughts and our karma seem to be one in the same. We believe in fate, the belief that we are responsible for carving out our destiny and, just as importantly, we know the importance and need to be mindful and take advantage of the simple things in life.

One day, we were sitting in my home discussing our websites (we each own one) with Orchid between us. She made a gesture lifting her hands and I noticed a tattoo on the inside of her wrist that read, “simply be.” She explained the purpose of the two words and the reason for the placement of her tattoo. The words were to give her a heads up when stress was knocking on her door. The placement of her tattoo was for a specific reason – “simply be” was for her eyes only. I loved that!

I do not have a tattoo, but if I ever considered one I think I could copy my friends. I do, however, have another word I would consider.  To maintain my calm and mindfulness I could put the word “walk” on the inside of my wrist on the same hand as my red Kabbalah string! Why? Because walking is an exercise in appreciating the simple things in life and like my grandmother’s chicken soup, walking, does something for my soul! Walking lifts my spirit, tones my muscles, lets me feel the earth beneath my feet and see the godliness of nature surrounding me. My walk charms me by allowing me to have my dog, Orchid, by my side, quiet time to dream and reflect and increase my vitality — mentally and physically. Walking allows me to simply be.

I walk every day. When I was in a cast and a walking boot for four months healing from surgery from a broken ankle, I choose to use a walker instead of a scooter.

I walked.

If you are not a walker and would like to start a new routine, this is what I advise for beginners, until you find your own path —start off with a purpose. Choose either a destination point, a long walk with your dog or a daily walk with a dear friend or loving spouse —it is good for your heart in more ways than one!

This is my routine in the spring, summer, and fall in Chicago.  Living in the middle of the city I am in the midst of marvelous hustle and bustle, but I choose to walk early in the morning when the city is quiet. I love the silence of the early morning, but sometimes I make it a social activity and walk with my girlfriends.

Yes, walking is a discipline. It is a wonderful activity that will allow you to relish the simple things in your life and allow you to simply be. I hope you find the simple things that speak to your soul and allow you to find the peace inside yourself! How do you appreciate the simple things? How do you stay mindful?

Susan “Honey” Good is the founder of HoneyGood.com where this blog originally appeared. The site is a collection of lessons learned, life advice and insights from not only her, but from a fantastic group of contributing writers, each adding their own spice to the recipe. Honey Good.com representing “a family tree of women” — wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters, aunts, cousins and girlfriends — coming together to talk about what makes them tick as well as what they have in common. Honey Good discusses life experiences with wisdom, humor and intellect, enabling all to attain a “Honey Good Style of Life.”