Ageless Passions by Karen Putz

Category: Uncategorized

  • Unwrapping Your Passion: Interview with Carole Cannon

    carole cannon

    When I met Carole Cannon at a Passion Test workshop, we connected immediately. Every bit of Carole screams PASSION! Carole’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. Carole lost her last child from a placenta abruption during childbirth and almost lost her own life as well. Her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 42, leaving Carole to raise their five children alone.

    Carole found her passion at a rummage sale. Someone dropped off a massage table. The table triggered an “Ah ha” moment as Carole realized she could become a massage therapist. The clues were present all along: in high school, Carole used to give massages to friends.

    In this interview, Carole talks about discovering her passion and what it means to wake up and love your life:

     

  • Old Age–It’s a State of Mind

     

    Every muscle ached when I sat down in the plane for the flight home. I had just left the World Barefoot Center in Winter Haven, Florida, where I spent a few days barefoot water skiing.

    “What happened to your eye?” my son asked when he picked me up at Midway airport.

     “Ah, I fell backwards and popped a blood vessel,” I explained.

    I was also sporting a colorful collection of bruises dotting my body and a swollen tongue.

    At the age of 44, I took up the extreme sport of barefooting again–more than 25 years after becoming deaf from a fall.  I spent three days in a boat with three other gals, but at age 45, I was the youngest one there. Kim Taylor is 48, Claudia Landon is 58– and at 68 years of age, Judy Myers is the world’s oldest female competitive barefoot water skier.

    “Suck it up,” Judy told me when I dared to complain about my aching body on the second day. When I watch her on the water–I find it hard to believe that this woman is almost seventy years old. Her nickname is the “Old Lady,” but she skims on the water– backwards, forwards and on one foot. Even when she falls at 36 mph, there’s a smile on her face when she surfaces.

      I’m thankful I met Judy– because she changed my life and gave me a whole new way to look forward to the years ahead. She smashes the stereotypes of what it means to grow older– reminding me that “old age” is nothing but a state of mind. As we add more candles to the birthday cake each year, it seems like it’s all too easy to buy into the notion that we are supposed to slow down and become more careful as we age. We are often bombarded with messages that perpetuate the stereotypes of aging, or what I call the “I’m-too-old-to-do-that” syndrome. Instead of accepting the status quo, why not go out and be the first person to shatter the age myth?

    Take Jim Boyette, for example. He took up barefoot water skiing at the age of 45 and began to compete in barefoot tournaments. Every single year, he shows up at the Barefoot Nationals and has not missed a tournament since he started in 1978. That’s right– do the math– Jim is 83 years old and still competes in an extreme sport. And to top it off, Jim has Charcot Marie Tooth disease– which atrophies his feet and arms, but he doesn’t let that stop him on the water. As Samuel Ullman once said, “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

    Published in the Chicago Tribune, May 2011

  • Reinventing Yourself at Any Age

    boomers reinvented

    “All our life experiences are building blocks to the next opportunity, to the next path, to the next journey, and it’s up to us to take that and go in that direction.”

     ~Karen Putz

    I’m turning 50 this year and I am so looking forward to celebrating that milestone.

    But at the age of 44, I felt quite the opposite about life. I was NOT looking forward to the years ahead. Life had become ho-hum and I wasn’t thrilled with approaching mid-life. Instead, I was looking back with regret, wishing I had done this or that. I had the feeling that the best years of my life were over and done with–and that aging was a downhill process.

    karen and judyMeeting 66-year old Judy Myers turned all of that around for me. I first saw her on the TODAY show which featured her story of taking up an extreme sport at the age of 53. Judy was older than me and truly living life to the fullest. We both shared a love for barefoot water skiing, and she brought me back to the sport I loved as a teen. Our story has been shown on PBS and CNN:

    A Mom Who Walks on Water

    Making a Splash on Water

    In the last five years, I’ve reinvented myself over and over by trying new things and experiencing new paths. In fact, I love helping others to the same–to unwrap their passions and start living life wide open.

    karen love

    Over at Boomers Reinvented, LeAura Anderson is on a mission to encourage the Boomer generation and beyond to reinvent themselves and live their best life.  I shared my own reinvention in an interview with LeAura in which we talk about passion:

    Life Wide Open (Captioned)

    If the first half of your life journey hasn’t quite been the life you wanted, you can simply start reinventing yourself right now and pivot in a new direction. Learn new skills or try something you’ve always wanted to do. Connect with a mentor and receive guidance. Experience something you’ve been putting off for “Someday.”

    Life begins now. Don’t put it off. Reinvent yourself.

  • Why You Should Ditch the Plastic and Drink Out of Glass Instead

    700 years.

    That’s how long it takes for one plastic water bottle to decompose in a landfill.

    700 years.

    In America, we used 50 billion water bottles in one year, according to Bottled Water Facts.

    Holy freaking moly.

    For years, I used a stainless steel water bottle after ditching the plastic stuff off my shelves. I didn’t really like drinking out of steel bottles but it was better than drinking out of warm plastic while barefoot water skiing on a hot day. Then I discovered Ello Water Bottles. I purchased my first one at Target and immediately fell in love with the product. Water from a glass bottle TASTES like water. It’s not contaminated with BPA like some plastic water bottles.

     ello on boat

    Because I professed my love so blantantly via social media–sharing pictures of my bottle with everyone I could, the company sent me a whole box of Ello glass bottles last year. It was like Christmas in July–a rainbow of glass bottles. Now I could match my water bottle with my outfit of the day.

    karen with ello

    I have no apprehensions about taking my Ello bottles on a boat. The silicone covering does a great job of protecting the thick glass even when dropped. I even tested the bottle while barefoot water skiing (thanks to my friend Tom Hart) and the Ello Product survived a 42-mph crash. Plus, it floated.

    Tom Hart Water Bottle

    Because I love these glass water bottles so darn much, the Ello Products company is letting me GIVE AWAY a Zulu water bottle so you can drink with me this summer. Yes, you can pick your color!

    zulu bottles

    Here are the Ello Water Bottle Giveaway Rules:

    • To enter, you must leave a comment on this blog. Tell me your ultimate, favorite drink. Besides water, of course. Unless water is your ultimate, favorite drink. If so, that counts as an entry.
    • You must be 18 or older and reside in the United States
    • The Giveaway ends Sunday, May 17, 2015 at midnight.
    • Winner will be chosen at random using Random.org.

    Of course, you can subscribe to this blog to be notified of updates, Passion Tidbits, and even more giveaways coming up:

    Yes, sign me up for more PASSION!

     

     

     

  • So You Think You’ve Failed

    So the next time you beat yourself up for your failures, mess-ups, and oops, just watch this:

    Dogs who fail at being dogs

  • The Three Places You Can Discover Clues to Your Passions

    answers you seek quote

    “I don’t have a passion.”

    “I don’t know what my passions are.”

    “I haven’t found that ONE passion.”

    Is this you? Are you searching for something “more” in your life? 

    I used to be so envious of people who found their passions early in life and went on to have stellar careers in that direction.  For many years, I was drifting through life with a couple of minor dreams, waiting for that magical “Someday” to appear so that I could start living them.

    Someday I was going to write a book.

    Someday I was going to travel.

    Someday I was going to get up on stage and speak.

    Someday I was going to live my passions–if I just knew what they were…

    It wasn’t until my 44th birthday that I started looking for some clues to my passions. I explored this topic in great detail.  I loved to write. I loved to talk to people. The more I thought about it, the more I began to realize the inklings of passion were indeed there. I just had ignored them for so long. 

    I was fortunate. I took those clues and created a life centered around passion and joy. I ended up writing several books. I unwrapped a long-buried passion for barefoot water skiing. I travel and speak on various topics–especially PASSION!

    There’s a richness in the journey when you center it around what you’re passionate about. Passion fuels you. 

    So where can you start?

     

    You can start with this simple activity that will begin to bring focus on your passions. Carve out some time in your day–you’ll need at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better. No distractions. Turn off the phone. Shut the door.

    Or even better, go someplace where technology isn’t a factor. I did this on a picnic table in a forest preserve near my home. 

    Here are three places you can discover clues to your passions: 

    The Past: 

    Reflect back on your childhood thoughts. What did you long for as a child? What did you grow up dreaming about? What were your moments of joy? What have you abandoned doing but wish you could do again?

    The Future: 

    What are you putting off for “Someday?” When you envision the future–who are you with? What are you doing? What do you have? How do others see you? 

    Right Now: 

    Where do you often go in your mind with your thoughts? What do you daydream about? When you are doing something that is of no interest to you, where do your thoughts drift off to? 

    Your past, present, and future thoughts are rich with clues. Being aware and writing them down is a powerful way to gain clarity.

    Want even more? Sign up for Passion Mentoring 

  • Why Everyone Should Write Their Own Obituary

    Emily Phillips photo by Bonnie Upright
    Emily Phillips photo by Bonnie Upright

     

    Twenty nine days.

    That’s all the time Emily Phillips had left after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Twenty nine days to hug her family and friends. To forgive. To reflect back on life and all the lessons and memorable moments.

    Emily went to work and penned her own obituary. She must have been quite the sassy, funny lady, because after reading every word, I wished I could have met her. No doubt she left a big hole in the hearts of people who knew her, but her obituary went viral and touch millions (yes, millions!)

    Toward the end of her obituary, Emily summed up her life:

    So…I was born; I blinked; and it was over.

     

     

    So this had me thinking this morning–every one of us should write our own obituaries. Perhaps if we faced the final days of our lives in the middle of NOW, we would cherish every moment instead of throwing it away. Perhaps we would reach out and say the loving words that others need to hear. Perhaps we would design the next days and hopefully years of our lives in a much different way than we are slodging through today.

    No buildings named after me; no monuments erected in my honor.
    But I DID have the chance to know and love each and every friend as well as all my family members. How much more blessed can a person be? 

    We are indeed blessed, but sometimes we forget. Sometimes we get wrapped up in issues that won’t have an impact ten minutes, much less ten months, later.

    So for a few minutes today, write out your obituary. How do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to leave behind with your loved ones? What is your purpose, your gifts, your skills…and how did you share them with the world?

    If an obituary is just too much, you can do your 100th birthday party speech in the same way.

    At any point, you can change your path, change your thoughts, and change your words so that your obituary or 100th birthday reflects the life you truly want to live. Then go out and live it.

    So in the end, remember…do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling.
    If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies. You know I’ll be there in one form or another. Of course that will probably comfort some while antagonizing others, but you know me…it’s what I do.
    I’ll leave you with this…please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away).
    Today I am happy and I am dancing. Probably naked.
    Love you forever.
    Emily

    Emily Phillips Obituary

  • A Sign From My Dad: Focus on What Really Matters

    I was having a grumpy day, letting a lot of little things get on my nerves. My desk was piled up with a bunch of paperwork that had no place to go. In frustration, I started cleaning out a file cabinet filled with early intervention papers that needed to be shredded.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I spied a card that was wedged in the metal frame of the cabinet and I dug it out.

    It was a thank you note from my dad.

    Four years ago on this day, Dad was in a coma and no longer responsive. He passed away the next day. Since his death, he has always sent me signs that he’s near. This one made me smile and cry at the same time.

    Dad didn’t make it to his 90th birthday party–and he would have been 90 this year. I think it’s a lesson for all of us–to focus on what really matters and to enjoy the time we have each day.

    Thanks for the lesson, Dad.

     

     

  • The Ricky Martin Email I Almost Deleted

    piccolo universe logo

    “High Profile Blogging Opportunity with Ricky Martin.”

    That was the subject line of an email that showed up in my inbox as I attempted to whittle down the proverbial pile.

    Yeah right, that’s spam, I thought. I moved the cursor to delete it.

    But something stopped me.

    I thought back to the time an editor from the Chicago Tribune contacted me and invited me to write a weekly column for the local section. It was fun seeing my articles in print each week. What if this was a similar opportunity? My intuition prompted me to open the email.

    Sure enough, it was a legitimate proposal to write parenting articles for Ricky Martin’s Piccolo Universe. It also lead to an opportunity to do some writing work for Walgreens as well.

    (So there’s a lesson there–listen to your intuition!)

    I knew very little about Ricky Martin when I started, other than a vague memory of Menudo and his song, Living la Vida Loca. Over the last year, I’ve learned more about Ricky and discovered a man with a heart centered around kindness and a penchant for inspirational quotes. He’s the father of twin boys, Matteo and Valentino. He has a foundation dedicated to helping children around the world.

    ricky martin tweets

    ricky martin tweets 2

    ricky martin tweets 3

    It’s been a fun writing project because it ties two of my passions together: writing and kids. So if you’re looking for some parenting advice and articles, dive in:

    Water Safety for Kids

    Creative Ways to Teach Your Child to Read and Make Reading Fun

    Fun Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy Through Winter

    Meditation Moments: How to Create Calm in the Midst of Crazy Days

    How to be a Powerful Parent on the IEP Team

    Teach Your Baby to Communicate in Sign Language

    Five Smoothies to Kick Start your Day

    Getting Your Newborn Baby to Sleep

    What You Should Know About Your Child’s Hearing

    Marriage and Parenthood: Finding the Romance Again and Again

    Skip the Typical Florida Attractions: Five Fun Things to Do with Your Kids

    Scary Parenting Moments: Preparing Your Teen for the Driving Test

    Your Baby is Born and You’re Depressed. Now What? 

    How Not to Freak When Your Kid Brings Home a Snake

    Having the Courage to Parent YOUR Way

    Mason Jars: Ditch the Plastic and Use Glass Instead

    Concussions in Kids, What Parents Should Know

    The Sandwich Juggle: Caring for Parents While Parenting Your Own Children

     

     

  • Global Voices Of Social Media: Strength, Love, and Triumph

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    25 stories of women from all over the world with one common theme: strength, love, and triumph.

    I’m honored to have my story among these 25 amazing women. From adversity to triumph–each chapter captures the unique journey of what it takes to be passionately ALIVE.

    Download your copy for just .99 here:

    Global Voices of Social Media