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A Different Kind of Love

February 11, 2020 By nextphaseinfitness 22 Comments

Valentine’s Day

I hate to sound like a spoil sport, but I have no interest at all in Valentine’s Day. There are many reasons for this, that I won’t go in to here as that’s not the reason for this post. I do understand that some do love and look forward to Valentine’s Day, and I’m happy for them that this day is special.

When I was thinking about Valentine’s Day and love, and what love means to me, it occurred to me that there are many things in my life that I love, and that I couldn’t do without. Actually, over the past few years, most of the things that I don’t love, or that cause me stress, have been cut from my life. Some of the things that I love are important to my life’s purpose,and some are quite superficial, but still important to me, even so.

The list below, which is in no particular order, does not include family or friends, as it goes without saying that they are on top of my list.

10 Things I Love

  •  Being over 60, I feel that I now have the freedom to do whatever it is that I want to do, and not do those things that don’t interest me. Being over 60 also gives me the freedom not to care at all what others think  of me, or of the things that I choose to do.
  •  Being fit and healthy in my senior years. For decades, it has been my ambition to retain my fitness into my later years. As I’m getting closer to those later years, I’m very pleased that I’m still quite fit. I have  no doubt that when I retire, I will be able to improve on that fitness, with the good fitness base that I have developed over the past few decades.
  • I have the absolute privelage to be on the City of Bendigo Positive Ageing Council where I’m able to have input into conditions for our ageing population in this city.
  • My two dogs Molly and Oscar. They are the joyful part of my every day.
  • Cycling. I have had a fantastic cycling life, participating in 13 large state based holiday ride events. When I moved to Bendigo, it was cycling that helped me to integrate myself into the community. In the immediate aftermath of my son’s death, cycling kept me sane and gave my life purpose.
  • Blogging. After blogging for nine years, I’m amazed that I still love it. I recently posted the 4 Things I Love About Blogging
  • Reading has always been hugely important to me. When I was a child I’d read the back of a milk carton if I didn’t have a book. I was a very quiet and almost anti social child who found many friends in books.
  • Family history and Genealogy, which I’ve been involved with for about twenty years. I have met many first cousins due to family history research. This research has given me the opportunity to meet many, many second, third and fourth cousins also.
  • Our country lifestyle which is totally off grid. We have no power at all except for solar power. I feel very proud that we are living sustainably and contributing positively to the environment. I love this more simple style of life that we’re nurturing:
  • Bushwalking is extremely important to my wellbeing and I consider it to be essential that I’m able to get out into the bush regularly. Have you ever stopped to think about and take stock of the things in your life that you love?

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Filed Under: Headspace Tagged With: life, Things I Love

Comments

  1. Allison Gonzalez says

    February 12, 2020 at 5:42 am

    This is a great post. I tend to not think of Valentine’s Day much either. I think it’s fun yet I like to celebrate love everyday if I can.

    I love my life, my kids, my BFF, my dog and good chocolate, to name a few just off the top of my head.

    I celebrate what I love often by being my best me to those I love and, well, having chocolate but not too often, lol.

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 12, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      I love your loves Allie and your thoughts about it. I also love chocolate but am having a year off it. Hopefully, I can make it

      Reply
      • Allison Gonzalez says

        February 13, 2020 at 5:05 am

        Oh ya! I remember your year off of chocolate. You’re certainly a stronger woman than me. 🙂

        Reply
        • nextphaseinfitness says

          February 14, 2020 at 9:42 am

          Trying to be strong Allison

          Reply
  2. Bree says

    February 12, 2020 at 8:21 am

    Im not that big for Valentines Day, it was never celebrated when I was married. He used to forget birthdays also…..says a lot. I also love being the age I am…over 60 . I love my dogs, I love my family and friends. I love that I can volunteer at an Op Shop…. that I don’t have to get up every morning and go to work. I love to read. Mum used to put a calendar in our toilet and everyone would study it lol. I used to read the fine print on the cereal packets that would be on the breakfast table. There used to be several as we all had our own packet. Mum and Dad All Bran and Weeties us kids would have weetbix etc. #MLSTL

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 12, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Lovely memories there Bree. There’s so much freedom over 60. I love it!

      Reply
  3. Helen Byrne says

    February 12, 2020 at 9:12 am

    What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, reflecting on the parts of your life that you LOVE. We can make this day anything we want it to be, self love is really important too, you don’t need a significant other to be happy and celebrate YOU.

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 12, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      Well said Helen. Thanks for popping in

      Reply
  4. Joanne Tracey says

    February 12, 2020 at 9:16 am

    A great way of looking at it. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day either – never have. But using it as a day to think about love in both an abstract form and in a things I love form – I really like that.

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 14, 2020 at 9:45 am

      Pleased you like the idea Jo. Thanks again for popping in

      Reply
  5. Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au says

    February 12, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    Hi Jennifer – I think Valentine’s Day is a lovely idea that has been comercialized to death. I like how you’ve given it a little twist of your own to make it more authentic, and that getting older is one of the top things on your list – it’s certainly a great time to be alive isn’t it?
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 14, 2020 at 9:44 am

      It’s a great time of life Leanne. Thanks again for popping in

      Reply
  6. Agnes Knowles says

    February 13, 2020 at 5:37 am

    As with many “holidays” Valentine’s Day, to me, is just a reminder to make sure I tell those I love how much I do love them. I try to remember it throughout the year, but ValDay is a mark on the calendar. As I get older I love the simpler things: a sunny day, lunch with a friend, an excursion with grandchildren.
    I enjoyed reading your list, it sounds like a great recipe for longevity to me!

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 14, 2020 at 9:41 am

      I agree fully with you Agnes. The simplest things in life are the best

      Reply
  7. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says

    February 13, 2020 at 7:23 am

    I love this Jen and agree we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day either. It is a great idea though to think about the things we love in our life and you have such a well rounded list here. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL and keep enjoying life! Sharing on SM xx

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 13, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      Thankyou Sue. Thanks also again for sharing

      Reply
  8. Debbie Harris says

    February 13, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    This is a great look at Valentines Day Jennifer. Your list shows gratitude and a love of life. I have shared for #mlstl

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 14, 2020 at 9:40 am

      Thanks Deb. I think It’s good to think about the gteat things in our lives

      Reply
  9. Denyse says

    February 14, 2020 at 10:03 am

    This was a lovely story of love. I acknowledge the day but we don’t celebrate it. However loving myself has been the best change in me recently. I spent a very very long time not even liking myself: impossible standards were set in my life and many by me as a result of parenting. So, now at 70 I can truly say I do love myself and that is a great gift.

    Thank you for sharing,
    Denyse #mlstl

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 14, 2020 at 4:42 pm

      Loving yourself is such a wonderful thing Denyse. It seems to come to most later in life, which is a shame

      Reply
  10. Christie Hawkes says

    February 15, 2020 at 12:01 am

    I love this Jennifer! I am going to compose a list of 10 more things that I love today. We don’t make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day at our house, but I do take advantage of the reminder to let the people I love know just how much I do love them. Of course, you don’t need a holiday for that, but it’s just one more opportunity.

    Reply
    • nextphaseinfitness says

      February 15, 2020 at 11:50 am

      I look forward to seeing your list Christie. Thanks for popping in again

      Reply

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