Hellooooo 50!

Welcome to my bi-weekly blog about life, work, and adventure at 40 & 50+, and the lessons learned along the way. (Scroll down to read the blog.)?

If this is your first time reading this blog, welcome. As the former co-founder of a pro-age women’s community, recognized Influencer in Aging by Next Avenue magazine, and Facebook Community Accelerator alum, I launched this blog to share personal insights gathered from my journey through middlescence to encourage us to be a little more empathetic and curious about people of all ages. You never know what someone else is going through unless you care enough to ask. Start asking.

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Dear Middlescent,

I turned the BIG 50 on June 18, and while some would’ve shied away from celebrating (and actually being happy about) turning 50, I went big ya’ll, and welcomed a new decade with a passport in hand.

I knew I wanted to celebrate my birthday abroad, specifically, somewhere tropical, and somewhere I hadn’t yet visited. I picked Montego Bay, Jamaica, and set the date. As I anxiously awaited my birthday trip, I couldn’t have imagined what happened next.

It all started when one of my best friends Beth Bynarowicz called and said “Hey, my boy changed his mind and isn’t going to Cabo with us, want to go?” This convo took place on a Wednesday and that Saturday, I found myself boarding an airplane to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Sometimes, you just have to say "yes"…and that I did.

We spent eight days, seven nights taking in the sites, lounging by the pool, and feeling beyond blessed. We rode camels by the ocean and drove ATVs on the beach. We snorkeled (I saw a sea turtle!), and kayaked Chileno Bay. We boarded a sailboat and witnessed a breathtaking sunset and so much more. This all happened because a dear friend invited me and I said yes.

Odds are good that had this opportunity come up last year or anytime before then, I would've had more than one excuse to say "no" and not go. Money, time, work, bills, too last minute, and the list goes on. Enough. I'm living life in a different mindset now. I want to take life off pause and start living a life worth living at 50 and beyond. And, I hope you say “yes” to more things in your life too.

We returned from Cabo and then departed for Jamaica the following week. I can’t begin to explain the joy in my heart as we landed in Montego Bay and were surrounded by lush, verdant hillsides on one side and turquoise waters on the other side. Breathtaking.

We checked into Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and as we walked the gorgeous grounds tropical rain began to fall. We took cover under a beach umbrella and as I sat there eating my jerk chicken and sipping on my rum and coke, I couldn’t help but thank God for the beauty that surrounded me.

The vibrant energy and laid-back charm of the island was palpable. The crystalline waters and picturesque skies were mesmerizing. And the warmth and kind-heartedness of the people were endearing. A slice of heaven on earth.

During our stay, we climbed and swam in the cool waters of Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios, and set sail on a Reggae catamaran for a day of snorkeling on Montego Bay followed by a pit stop at Margaritaville. We ate our way through an assortment of international-inspired restaurants including French, Asian, Italian, and Jamaican, and spent days lounging poolside and in the ocean.

What a gift travel can be. There is a big beautiful world out there ready for us to explore, learn from, and cherish. At 50, my adventures are only getting started. Where will your adventures take you?