Today I am 50

Today I’m 50.

It makes you reflect what have you accomplished? What are you grateful for? So I’m doing just that today. Here is my tribute I suppose to myself but for what it’s worth I thought I would share it.

I have had the great honour of having balls the size of Gibraltar according to a dear friend of mine and for that reason I have hit walls, fallen and gotten back up. Each time going in with a pure heart and never a fear of defeat only the thrill of adventure. That attribute has pros and cons.

I have learned and grown tremendously through the years like all of us but having deeply loved and have deeply lost was the biggest growth periods of them all. You learn about faith and you truly learn who is there for you emotionally, financially and physically in your personal life and in your business. I have had many cliff hanging moments and have seen the people that have caught me time and time again. For that I am grateful.

I was tested early on about faith when I was gravely ill at the age of 22. Little did I know that test was only the warm up for years to come. On many levels it taught me about survival and how to cope alone, heal and build a relationship with the higher power to guide me. It was a job in Alaska then a trip one way to San Francisco where I found a cure that allowed me to have good days and not just bad days. In reality I am very grateful because my life has been extremely active despite this. I had the strength to not give up on my mind, body or soul and learned the appreciation of yoga, acupuncture and homeopath in the early years of my life. I also have empathy for those living with chronic health issues and for this I am grateful.

When I was in Germany and my partner was based in Kosovo during the conflict my faith was also tested. Not knowing the outcome of whether someone will live or die or return the same as they left was thrown at me. Again I had my faith and coped. I am grateful for that experience as it surmounted my appreciation for veterans and those in active combat.

Time has flown. I have had so much fun as well and at times I never sat still running from one thing to the next, from lavish parties to crazy travel adventures. Such as backpacking alone to obscure destinations, attending the Argentina World Polo or driving through the Andes Mountains by myself in Patagonia. I even spent weeks in the jungle in Africa and managed to survive a poisonous spider bite. 

This past period with Covid19 I didn’t have fear as I had faith. But what Covid19 taught me was how to prioritise myself and put me first. Something I never did. I was too busy being busy or looking after other’s needs. I truly discovered what was in my refrigerator. For this experience I am grateful.

In summary of my life’s activities I have been working for 35 years, driving for 34, travelled to over 50 countries, studied in 4 and worked in 5 & I probably have had over 30 jobs! Anything from scooping ice cream to running my own travel business age 19. One makes you think life has been one roller coaster ride and it certainly has for me. I have tried it all at one time or another.

At 50 years this is what I can say. I believe we sign up for lessons before arriving to earth. Faith and patience are the two I choose in this lifetime. I call it the school of life. I am grateful because I think I have passed the test am ready to graduate and let the real fun begin. Once my journey ends in this life and if I do reincarnate I will come back as Donut and hope I have earned that reward in the afterlife because she does have the best life. 

Finally I’m very thankful for finally finding the right hairstyle. There were some bad ones. 

So bring on the next 50 years because I feel I am only getting started. 

Some goals worth mentioning so when they happen I have it documented & it will keep me motivated. Feel free to check in to where I am with all of these!

1. Sell my company at the right time and reap the rewards of financial success
2. Write & publish my book Karma Bank and film. Yes there needs to be a film.
3. Write my children’s book series - Donut Rocks Rome. Every child needs to learn travel through the eyes of Donut my Shihzu.
4. Donate or actively participate in 100 charities. That was Lady Diana’s goal why not aim high?
5. Travel to another 50 countries - there are plenty more to see
6. Fall in love - yes love in my life again I am ready
7. Adopt more pets - my heart only grows with more
8. Keep up the Sexy Single Dish and hopefully help everyone take the time to love themselves starting with the art of cooking
9. Keep telling stories that make people laugh
10. Pray and give gratitude 
11. Keep my Karma Bank full
12. This one is a secret 

Thanks to all the people along my journey and I hope I have added value in many of yours.

Cheers to all of those people turning 50 years of age especially to all of my friends from the NHHS class of ’88. The best years are truly yet to come, never give up and keep the faith.