Month: March 2026

I am an active person. I love movement. Activities like running, hiking, cross-country skiing, and biking have been lifelong pursuits for me. Over the last few months, however, I have realized that I need more than active movement. Well-being literature suggests people, especially older adults, need four forms of exercise: strength, flexibility, cardiovascular, and balance. Changes in my joints need attention that basic cardiovascular work does not improve.

These forms of exercise include cardio aerobic action for heart health, strength training to build muscle, flexibility for range of motion, and balance movements to prevent falls. A well-rounded routine combines these to address overall physical as well as mental health. For years I have regularly had 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio each week but have done less well with the strength building aspects.

In one of my earlier blogs, I wrote about how I lacked the discipline to do yoga unless I was in a class. I re-evaluated that position during COVID when I could not go to regular classes. My favorite yoga teacher had given me a 20-minute routine that I had filed away but resurrected during the pandemic. I have done at least 3-4 sessions of that program each week for several years and it has been helpful. As an aside, I know that it is hard to measure “prevention” so I do not totally know if I would be better without these home yoga sessions, but it is all good.

I do not feel my balance is bad, but I recognize that using poles when I hike has prevented falls over the years. I now focus on my stability twice a day by balancing on each foot for 10-20 seconds as I brush my teeth. That may not be enough, but it is a start.

The aspect that challenges me today relates to strength training. This approach is “hot” in the media, and I do not always succumb to popular trends. On the other hand, I feel like I am not as strong as I used to be. Recently, I began attending once a week Pilates classes. I feel the same way about doing that activity as I once did about yoga years ago. I do better in a class or with others than when I am on my own. With my schedule, however, going to regular classes is a challenge. I am exploring, although not as vigorously as I should, how to do a strength training program at home. I am working on the resolve.

By writing this blog, I have put my karma out there and, just maybe, I can hold myself accountable for the strength building in the future. I am hopeful.

I could not wait to turn 16 years old. Growing up, 16 was the magic birthday that allowed a person to get a driver’s license. I had learned to drive on the farm and was more than ready to get that license since I had had the learner’s permit since the day I turned 14. A license meant freedom to not rely on my parents or other friends to take me to after-school activities and 4-H meetings in Cedar Rapids. People have different hallmarks in their lives that represent a rite of passage and turning 16 was one of two major events in my life.

A rite of passage is an event that marks a person’s transition from one life stage to another. These changes are often social in nature. Rites of passage for distinct cultures have been around for centuries. The right to drive was paramount in rural Iowa. Although I am sure it was not evident to me at the time, it symbolized a new sense of responsibility and belonging. I had to act more like an adult than a child.

Although graduations, marriages, or birth of the first child might be significant passages for some people, the other significant milestone for me was turning 62 so I could get a lifetime senior pass for National Parks (and other fee based national lands). Having that pass did not change my life like the driver’s license did, but it was important knowing that a privilege of my age was that I would always have access to the National Parks.

I often thought I was the only one who felt that turning 62 was a passageway until recently when two of my younger friends celebrated their age entitlement for a park pass. Both went directly to a nearby National Park upon turning 62 to get this coveted badge. I am glad this privilege did not change over time with the number of baby boomers becoming eligible.

The park pass represents a coming-of-age validation. It symbolizes celebrating aging as a positive thing. It shows how much I appreciate and value federal public lands.

I suspect death will be the next major transition. I have no idea what the afterlife will be and whether I can write about it. For now, I am just grateful that I have had these two important markers in my life.

“Regrets, I’ve had a few / But then again, too few to mention” is an iconic lyric from Frank Sinatra’s signature song “My Way” (1969). Living a full life, accepting mistakes, and taking responsibility for choices are my goals for today. Wishes, thoughts, and prayers, however, are no good without action toward those goals.

I hope I am not close to death, but I recognize I am slowing down. I am running out of time to do some things that I once inspired to do such as run the Boston Marathon or climb more 14teeners in Colorado. Although I regret not having specific experiences in my life, in another way I am blessed and  hope there is still time to act on other goals.

I recently heard about a book by Bronnie Ware, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. The list includes: (1) “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me”; (2) “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard”; (3) “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings”; (4) “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends”; and (5) “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

Rather than regrets, I have been thinking about what I can do now. A colleague reminded me that it is easy to wish these things when close to death, but harder to act upon them when alive. The good news is that there is still time to turn wishes into actions. I do not want to become overloaded with distractions that thwart these actions. The questions that are important for me to address relate to “how does” statements (e.g., “How does one have the courage to live a life true to oneself?” “How does one develop the courage to express their feelings?”)

I am thinking about how to let people know how I feel such as how much I like what they do or what they stand for, or how grateful I am that they are in my life. I want to regularly remember to be in contact with my family as well as friends who have been inspirational in my life. I am focusing on mindfulness and staying in the moment so I can feel happiness and joy when it comes to me. These actions are how I want to live now so I have fewer regrets and focus on actions rather than wishes at this time in my life.

Over 76 years ago, my great grandma Drexler sent a “Welcome for the New Baby” card to my parents. She included this original poem:

To Mother and Dad,

I am glad Karla Ann has come with you to dwell.

She may be like Mother or like Father, time will tell.

I am really thrilled because she is a little lass,

From what I expect she will have some class.

Six great grandchildren I claim as mine.

I suppose there will be more in no time.

To even the number to more boys there should be,

I am trusting you and Jim to that you will see.

Then toward your service you would have a good start,

You would really and truly be doing your part.

If you divide them even you would be discreet,

For your family would be complete.

                                                     Grandma Drexler

                                                   

I enjoyed this poem that my sister found among the memorabilia that my mother kept over the years. It struck me as enlightening given the times and the message.

My father returned from WW II, married my mom, and began farming in 1946. I came two years later. On an Iowa farm, having boys was necessary to help with the farming. I do not think my parents were disappointed with having a girl, but it meant, as my great grandma suggested, a boy should be coming along soon.

The suggestion did not work for my parents as they raised three girls and no boys. As the oldest, I became my father’s helper. I was delighted with that role. I fed the livestock and learned to drive a tractor when I was six years old. Household activities like cooking and sewing did not interest me much even though I learned those things along with farming chores. I was a “tomboy” and loved having that opportunity growing up. I was more like my dad than my mom. Today I pride myself in this farm girl identity.

Boys were desired for practical purposes, but I felt implicitly that parents preferred boys and privileged them over girls. I suspect that this influenced my feminist views and career academic research that examined gender differences and equity issues. I make no apologies for my personal beliefs and professional efforts, so this poem helped me better understand the roots of my upbringing.

I hope the message to girl babies today contrasted to the suggestion over three quarters of a century ago is that females are welcomed and have the same opportunities available that baby boys have for the future. Although I respect the sentiments of my great grandmother, I am glad that the world continues to evolve.