That 70s Life

Growing up in the 70’s was a headrush. The world was in glorious technicolour, music was our guide to political understanding and women were becoming “equal” in our minds. Although our social consciousness was elevated, our ability to manage the effect of change on ourselves as individuals was sadly lacking. There were a lot of conflicting emotions and needs running though us. Not surprisingly, a lot of us have had a difficult time growing into the person we were created to be. Myself included.

I’ve finally reached an age that seems to bring it all into perspective. So I’ve spent the past few years reflecting on the experiences I’ve lived, the choices I’ve made and the life issues I expect to face in my future. I’ve made mistakes, stumbled a lot, and grown exponentially. This inner exploration has been at times, frightening, disturbing, enlightening and exhilarating. My learnings are short, but sweet:

Choose to be Happy:  Happiness is all in our heads. We can choose to be happy (or not to be) every single moment. We can be unhappy regardless of money, status or fame. We make the choice. We can even be happy when we have cancer. I’ve seen it more than once.

Take Care of My Body: I did not do this. I wish I had. Staying fit and healthy is a lot easier than regaining fitness and health. Now I’m focusing on regular exercise, healthy eating, and feeling good about my body – no matter what. It’s the only one I’ve got. 

Pay Attention to My Inner Wisdom: I haven’t always understood what mine’s been saying to me. But what I’ve learned through extensive trial and error is that when my heart or my gut is sending me a message that something’s wrong, I gotta pay attention. It’s always right.

Accept What Is:  Crappy stuff happens to everybody. There’s no way to avoid this fact. It’s uncontrollable. The only thing we can control is how we deal with what happens. If we live each day with mindfulness and love, we will be able to find something to appreciate and learn from in every experience.

Grow to Love Myself: I’ve decided that this is the single most important action I can take in my life. Whatever it takes to love who I really am in my deepest heart (the good, the bad, and the ugly), that’s what I’m going to do. So I’m finding my authentic uniqueness, discovering what I really value, and I’m never going to measure myself against anyone else’s standards ever again. Loving ‘me’ makes all the difference to my happiness.

Growing up in the 70s was simply bigger than life: sexual experimentation, revolving-door relationships, disdain for rules, the smashing of boundaries and taboos... It was a time of upheaval. Like all youth of any generation, we left a changed landscape in our wake. We questioned things that had been silent and hidden...even shameful. We were instrumental in exposing and demanding action on rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse in the home. We transformed women’s roles in the workplace. The changes in technology that our era developed speak for themselves today – literally. In contradiction, the pop culture of that decade was incredibly superficial: disco and Kiss and spray-painted cities… But what I remember best are the halcyon days of freedom and adventure we all enjoyed. Somehow, we allowed that to slip away in the subsequent years. 

And finally, I find myself taking that lost freedom back. Realizing now that it was always within my grasp, I've recreated myself in my original form - but with refinements to fit my new age. Inner exploration has unearthed the me that was always meant to be. And I'm so grateful. My life is full and fun. I love that. In fact, I smiled all the way through writing this. Unlike many women I talk with, I’m not at all upset about aging. In fact, with all the new learnings this age is blessing me with, I’m pretty excited about it.

My time in the 70s jumpstarted lesson after lesson after lesson. They're not complex lessons. In fact, they're pretty simple. And I'm finally applying them.

I love that I'm experiencing so much happiness at my current age.

It would seem that the lessons are working.

Comments

[jacquie]

this is really good, I remember growing up in the 70s but I wasn't part of the 70s growing up. I was busy with chuch activities and finding myself in Christ. I a way I feel I missed a lot that others were experiencing but in another I found my Lord and Saviour. If that sounds religeous, it is because that was what my 70s were all about. I think I was seen as the odd ball. I think if I had a choice to do all over again I would do the same but also go to dances and get togethers and definately my prom. I missed my prom.

[Margot]

Sounds like a pretty rewarding time for you, Jacquie. Being yourself and walking your own path is so important - wish I'd been able to master that earlier. Kudos to you! And I say, grab Jake and do your own prom night now. :)