IMG_0030This weekend my mum celebrated her 72nd birthday. Over the course of the weekend she was guest of honour and indulged with beautiful gatherings and gifted many lovely presents. It culminated in a long lazy lunch surrounded by her trusty gaggle of wonderful gal pals, who adore and admire her enormously, with me tagging along too for the fun and frivolity.

Well, I don’t just tag along for the fun and frivolity, I go greedily to soak up the energy and be inspired in the presence of ‘evolving masters’.  I truly love being in the company of my mum and her friends. They are so alive and wise.  I highly recommend every woman out there get themselves some rocking it, sassy evolved senior women on their team to lead the way and smooth the path and generally nourish them with great love humour and wisdom. They have all become for me a precious resource, my A-team of lovely role models and mentors.

My mum has always been my hero mentor. In her evolving (not ageing) journey, she continues to inspire and teach.  Not only does she always dress super funky and stylish for every occasion….I am still borrowing her clothes!……my  mum manages to pack in an extraordinary amount of activity, purpose and meaning into her life.

Despite losing the love of her life nine years ago, my mother has not allowed her grieving journey and ‘widow’ status to diminish her living and loving life large. If given the choice, of course, I know she would prefer to have her beloved by her side. However, with his passing my mother’s retirement and third age lifestyle took a radical detour into new territories and experiences she wouldn’t have travelled had she been in a shared journey with her husband.

My mum took up a number of new sports (aquafitness, walking groups, yoga &, lawn bowls), increased her overseas travel, embarked on serious study in metaphysics, volunteers, participates in music, arts and theatre groups and began a deep personal  and spiritual odyssey.

I don’t think I know a more grounded, happy, fulfilled and engaged person. What is truly inspiring about my mum is that she is actively directing and driving her personal mission to live with purpose.  Her purpose is simple, to continue to know and become more of who she is.

My mum is continually stretching her relationship with herself……learning, growing, being….and evolving. What she teaches me, and all those blessed to have her on their path, is that the journey into self-actualisation never stops and, in fact, it becomes richer, deeper and more profound through the years.

Whether widowed, divorced or coupled, this journey of self-actualisation or ‘becoming’ seems more and more important as life rockets along.  When, if not now, are you going to emerge and stand in your light as your truest, most complete version of you, than in the final stretch of the marathon of life?  This is what it is all about, right?

I think I want to ban the word AGEING, and replace it permanently with the word EVOLVING. Maybe that will give the experience of senior-age living the respect and admiration it deserves.  The experience and pathway will be revered and seen as desirable.  I know my mum sure makes it look exciting.

Happy evolving. Much love. Sarah

Sarah Tolmie is a life & love coach, therapist and consultant. Her practice focuses on helping individuals, couples and families navigate, grow and heal through all their life & love events, changes and challenges –  including love, marriage & family relationships; success, health & wellness; and grief & loss, as well as coping with illness, dying and death. Sarah is also a Life & Love Celebrant, and Pastoral Care Practitioner, creating profound and meaningful ceremonies for all life & love events. In her practice Sarah’s focus is on maintaining a heart-based, love-led, laughter-filled and meaning-making life.  Sarah is also an Isagenix consultant for health, weight management and longevity. You can visit her website new.sarahtolmie.com.au  and receive her Daily Love updates on her Facebook page at Sarah Tolmie – Life & Love.