Staying Alive

by Bernadette A. Sahm

My husband and I decided that our mantra for this period of our lives in retirement will be referred to as “STAYING ALIVE” and the Bee Gees song Stayin’ Alive from 1977 is our theme song! So it goes …

“Well now, I get low and I get high And if I can’t get either, I really try Got the wings of heaven on my shoes I’m a dancin’ man and I just can’t lose You know it’s all right, it’s okay I’ll live to see another day …”

For us it’s about a wholistic approach to living out the rest of our lives with the trinity of mind, body and soul. What have we done and what can we do to be sure that each and every day we do something that 1) enriches our mind through reading, conversations, laughter and learning 2) what healthy choices have we made for our bodies like good healthy eating choices and exercise and 3) have we prayed and enlightened our souls, have we connected to others and the Lord our God in a meaningful way.

We try and live a healthy lifestyle grounded in gratitude and love. We eat fresh fruits and vegetables and good prime meats for protein. Eggs are a stable and healthy fats. Being Italian we, both enjoy a pasta dish at least once a week. Exercise is important to us whether at the gym or outside activities, we do our best to get our goal of 10,000 steps daily. Living minutes from the ocean allows us such great beach walks and getaways. Sunshine is healthy too! The air by the ocean just feels more alive and for us it never gets old.

Fun stuff like spending time with friends and loved ones as well as enjoying concerts, restaurants and the theater outings make us happy. We both love music and nothing better than live music from a beloved artist. Traveling is fun and we prefer a healthy long road trip to planes, do love a good train ride too.

Seeking out beauty in all its forms adds to our love of life and our staying alive mantra!

Not long ago an acquaintance who is still working full time asked us, “what do you do all day?” In unison we responded with, “whatever we want to do!’ We love our life and my husband Brian often remarks, “we earned it!” Both of us have worked hard in our careers and together we raised three children and five precious pups! We have lived a full life and this phase means so much to us. We choose peace, love and happiness and we choose it each and every single day!

So here is to “staying alive” as long as possible and hopefully until we take our last breath … and doing it our way …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#living #life #stayingalive #healthychoices #goodliving

Shaped by …

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

Such a great question! Are we shaped by our genetic makeup and who we are born into? Or are we shaped by the experiences we have in our lives?

I’m willing to bet it’s both, part of our personality comes from our family ties and our roots, and part of our personality is formed by who and what we experience in our lifetime.

We are a composite of all that we learn and who we learn from.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

I Remember

by Bernadette A. Sahm

I remember you said, “Kentucky Fried Chicken always tastes better on the boat.”

I remember you as a toddler walking down the stairs with bed head hair created by undoing your braids.

I remember all the times you protected me and looked out for me.

I remember drunk nights that started in a bar and turned into a house dance party.

I remember first days on the job and those that welcomed me.

I remember walking alone along the Magnificent Mile in Chicago and thinking how grown up I felt.

I remember my first book launch party. My first car and so many other “firsts”

I remember the man who made me a mother.

I remember long coffee conversations with my dad.

I remember my grandmother pressing cotton sheets in the hotel she and my grandfather owned.

I remember my first banana seat bike and all the many neighborhood rides in Allentown, PA.

I remember Deep Purple as my first outdoor concert when I was just a teenager.

I remember my first visit to the ocean as it was Asbury Park, NJ.

I remember card games on the beach at Lake Hauto with family members.

I remember the day that my mother died and those who contacted me to let me know.

I remember where I was when 9/11 happened and where I was when the news that President Kennedy was shot and killed.

I remember grief when you died and more grief when another chose to leave me.

I remember my first date/kiss/intimate experience.

I remember my college roommate being openly and wildly gay.

I remember Nashville for the first visit and the most recent visit.

I remember all five of our Bichons; Happy, Happy Again, Chipper and Bailey and Buddy.

I remember the chlorine smells when the pool needed chemical balance.

I remember Hess’s Patio Restaurant and the high-end fashion shows that took place as we ate our lunch.

I remember the first grant I wrote for $100,000 that was approved and who was sitting in my office when that call came in.

I remember my favorite author who I watched on television for years before I met her and we became friends. RIP Susan White-Bowden.

I remember the first time I met Gary Allan, my all-time favorite Country Music Artist.

I remember flying to Texas alone as I finalized my husband’s business and personal property after his untimely death.

I remember Claude and my dad picking me up from underneath my arms and carrying me away to the first car after Randy was laid to rest.

I remember more good than bad, but I also know that all my memories are a testament to a full life worth living.

I remember …

Think about all those memories and who and what you remember and why?

Bernadette on Facebook and http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#memories #remember #history #life #well-lived

The Last Time

by Bernadette A. Sahm

When was the last time you read a book from cover to cover?

When was the last time you watched the sun come up or sunset?

When was the last time you went a day without electronic devices?

When was the last time you volunteered or helped out a neighbor?

When was your last spa day, haircut, mani and pedicure?

When was the last time your rode your bike, horse, motorcycle?

When was the last time you baked a cake, cookies or a pie?

When was the last time you spent a day at the beach, the lake or the mountains?

When was the last time you said “hello” to a new friendship?

When was the last time you had to say a final “goodbye” to someone dear?

When was the last time you woke up refreshed and remembered your dreams?

When was the last time…

One day it truly will be our “last time” …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#life #living #livingwell #lasttime

Acts of Unexpected Kindness

What are you passionate about?

I absolutely love and am passionate about acts of love and kindness. Today while wading in the water at the beach, I was picking up shells and stones. A little boy about ten years old came up to me and handed me three perfect seashells. I said, “don’t you want them?” His response “no they are for you!” I was stunned and replied “you are such a sweetheart” he just walked away. It literally made my day and made me smile so much.

I went back to my husband who witnessed this act and told me the kid has good taste in making you happy!

When we go out I like to tip good service generously. I was once a waitress and know how hard they work. Giving is for the giver.

Often going through the toll booth we pay for the car behind us.

I am a big believer in what goodness you but into the world comes right back to you. We can focus on all the things we don’t like in the world or we can choose to be the change we want to see in the world.

That young boy gave freely with no agenda and it wasn’t lost on me. All I could think was someone raised a good boy and one day someone is going to be the recipient of his kind actions.

We reap what we sow. When we plant seeds of goodness and acts of kindness we are almost certain to benefit from it.

I love a beautiful life and being a good and giving person is what I am most passionate about.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#passionate #giving #generous #beautiful #life #lessons

Important for a good life …

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

The first thing that comes to mind as the most important things needed for a good life is peace, love and good health.

Living without worry and living in peace and with love are by far the most important things to live a good life.

Good health is also important. As for possessions a nice home and car or cars and a healthy bank account and a refrigerator and freezer filled with good foods.

Loving relationships and healthy friendships enhance a good life. It’s important to surround yourself with good people.

Doing what you love with who you love and where you love to be all makes for a good life. I am blessed to have a wonderful loving husband and a nice home near the ocean. We have good friends and two precious pups.

As a retired person “living the dream” I honestly feel that I have living a very good life. I thank God daily for all our many blessings!

Books That Meant Something

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

The top three books that have impacted my life and meant something to me are 1) Charlottes Web 2) The Four Agreements and 3) Women and The Blues: Passions that Hurt Passions that Heal.

As a child I loved Charlottes Web and living on a farm in northeast Pennsylvania, I could relate to farm animals. I loved the story and the talking animals and reading about the life cycle.

Later on as an adult woman I enjoyed reading Woman and The Blues. It was a self-help book that gave me the courage to persevere and keep going when things didn’t work out like I believed they would for me.

Last of the three and certainly not least was The Four Agreements. It’s a small book that cost around $10 and I have gifted it to dozens of my friends and acquaintances. The one agreement that literally changed how I viewed all my relationships was, “nothing other people do is because of you, it is because of themselves.” This quote alone changed me. I no longer accepted others actions and words personally. What they did and what they said was all theirs and not mine.

I love reading and I love many books but the three listed above certainly had a huge impact on me.

Happy reading!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#books #reading #lessons #life

Most Dear Belongings

What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

By Bernadette A Sahm

My most dear “personal belongings” are probably three being 1) my framed Christening outfit handmade by my grandmother 2) my diamond engagement ring and 3) the flag presented to me after the 21-gun salute for the funeral of my first husband.

My grandmother knit and gifted me this four piece Christening outfit at my baby shower. It included a knitted gown with matching coat, cap and booties. I loved it then and now. Years ago I had it preserved and framed. It represents multi generational history.

I have a flag that draped my first husband Randy’s coffin when he was buried. It was folded and presented to me with a message from our then President Reagan. It is also preserved in a flag case. It reflects the American spirit of service above self. He died service related.

Last and certainly not least is a ring I wear every single day. It includes 5 diamonds where each represent my husband, me and our three children. It was my engagement ring and I seldom take it off. I love it today as much as au did the day I received it!

So these three items repented things I hold most dear …

My engagement ring with 5 diamonds represent 5 in our family …

#most dear #sentimental #memories #special

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer

Having It All

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

First and foremost, “having it all” starts with peaceful living. Living in peace is everything. Then having that special someone to share peace and love in life is truly the greatest gift.

My husband is everything to me. We are about to celebrate 29 years of marriage and 34 years of living life together. We know how blessed we are to have each other.

Together we have weathered many storms and many life lessons. There was a long period of time when I didn’t have peace. It pointed back to numerous family issues. Then one day after years and years of grief and tears it vanished. What I was left with was a man and his unwavering love and that love grew stronger. Love was always there, peace wasn’t.

Is it attainable? Of course it is, you just have to want it! And work for it!

Today we have both lots of love grounded in peace. Truly these two things that define “having it all.”

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#havingitall #love #peace #attainable #life #lessons

The Other Side of 50

by Bernadette A. Sahm

It has been 16 years since I wrote my book titled Halfway Home The First 50 Years, I was just 50 years old at that time. Today I am definitely on the other side of 50 at 66 years old now. In many ways living my best and most peaceful and happy life.

But what have I learned during these past 16 years?

What is meant for you will find you
All anger and anxiety are a waste of time and energy
If you aren’t living a happy life, you aren’t doing it right
Many say that life is short but it can also be viewed that life is long
Love what you do, or don’t do it
God is good all the time
Prayer is peace
Even the difficulties and life challenges when turned around offer valued life lessons
Kids will come and kids will go, always put your spouse/partner first
Not every day is going to go your way and that is okay
The longest relationship you will ever have is with yourself, invest in you, take care of you
Wisdom definitely is a gift for the aging
Some people come into your life for reason, some for a season, and the truest friendships are the most lasting
Kindness costs nothing and yet has immense value
Choices, chances, and change are definite, choose wisely
You are good, you are unique and you are worthy

As I write this and reflect on the past, what I find is incredible gratitude for all my many life experiences!

I have been blessed … and I wish for you the same!

Blessings,

Bernadette on Facebook at www,Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#life #lessons #wisdom #aging