I am beyond excited today to feature Sue Loncaric, an amazing blogger from Australia! Author of Sizzling Towards Sixty, not only is she a marvelous woman of midlife and a dedicated runner, she is also a strong proponent of health and wellness. As she begins her latest blog series Midlife Matters, she takes a critical look at this concept of age and states, “midlife should be celebrated!
Sue and I are kindred spirits. We both retired at 55 and started blogging. She loves fitness and competes in fun runs. I love fitness and enjoy windsurfing and stand-up paddling. We both blog about leisure and a healthy lifestyle. With each post I read of hers, I nod my head, and agree with everything she writes.
Not long ago I read the post she wrote that I am about to share. It resonated with me in an extreme way, that play is not just for children, but also for adults.
Take it away, Sue…
Find a Swing and Release Your Inner Child
One of the options for this week’s Friday Reflections was to write about a chosen image. I look at this image of the swing and it brings back so many happy memories of my childhood. Countless afternoons spent playing on my swing, singing at the top of my lungs (my poor neighbours). Each afternoon after school I would come home, Mum would make afternoon tea and then it was out to the backyard to my swing until dinner time.
I would close my eyes and swing as I high as I could – it almost felt like flying. I also loved that feeling of ‘losing your tummy’ as you went higher and higher – like being on a roller coaster.
I am now older, but the inner child still emerges whenever I see a swing set. It is something synonymous with the carefree days of childhood, whiling away the hours with not a care in the world.
We live across from a park and a children’s playground and whenever our grand children visit there is always an outing to the park for a swing. They love being pushed higher although you can see the apprehension sometimes in their smiling faces.
I came across this quotation by Doe Zantamata when I was writing this post:
“Somewhere a swing is missing you”
One unfortunate aspect of growing older is that most people feel they need to “grow up” and they lose the ability to have simple fun. They become inhibited in their feelings, emotions and their behaviour, because they fear they will appear foolish to others.
This fear of what others might think of us holds us back from enjoying our life and enjoying moments where we can just have fun, be silly and carefree.
[bctt tweet=”This fear of what others might think of us holds us back from enjoying our life and enjoying moments where we can just have fun, be silly and carefree.” username=”windigenredhead”]
As children we have no inhibitions – we aren’t born with inhibitions. We are free with our emotions and enjoy life. Unfortunately, society places conditions on us as we grow up and somewhere along the line fun and games are just not acceptable or so we are told.
Can you be brave enough to enjoy your life regardless of what others may think? We have but one short life – let’s not waste it by leaving our inner child buried deep within. Take life, enjoy, laugh, sing, dance and just be in the moment.
Do you have a swing that is missing you? Why not go to the park today and take time for a swing and reflection.
[bctt tweet=”What a sad world it would be if there were no swings, dancing, singing or laughter.” username=”windigenredhead”]
I’ve written often about releasing your inner child and you might also like to read my post, Isn’t it time you embraced your inner child?
First published May 13, 2016 by Sue Loncaric.
Say Hello to Sue!
Since taking early retirement, Sue found she needed more in her life and Sizzling Towards Sixty was born. Sue invites you to join her to “Ride the Wave of Midlife with Positivity, Fun and Laughter.”
She shares her journey through midlife to encourage others to join with her in her quest to live a fit, active and fun life. Sue loves connecting with people and helping them realize their full potential to be the best they can be!
Her e-book From Couch Potato to Fabulously Fit in Less Time than You Think has evolved into a Facebook Group #couchpotatotofabfit and encourages others to Get Healthier Together. Plans for online self-development courses are on the way.
Read more about Sue here and follow her on these Social Media sites
Website: www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sizzlingtowards60
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/couchpotatotofabfit/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sizzling60
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/loncaric2047/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sizzlingtowards60
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 