Dear Friend,
I've been thinking about aging - not surprisingly, given my 50th birthday is coming up in January. To some this sounds ancient, while others laugh at how young it is. Either way, it's a meaningful time to reflect on how I got here and what's ahead. I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends At 22 I moved to Eugene, Oregon, where I met a group of women who have become lifelong friends. In addition to being wonderful people, they all happen to be about a decade older than me, and I've always benefitted from their perspective. (If you don't have any older friends, you should get some, and soon.) I have received plenty of marriage, child-raising and just-plain-living advice from these dear friends. Through them, I can peer into the future. It helps me remember where I've been and focus on where I'm going. Living Simply One of the best lessons I've learned repeatedly from my friends is the value of living simply. They've found - as I have - that the older we get, our "stuff" matters less, and we begin to learn what is truly important. "Stuff" can mean anything from material items to emotional baggage. With myself, and with my clients, I see a lot of "stuff" in the closet. The mantra of living simply works wonders when applied to your wardrobe. When you are old enough to really know yourself, instead of buying several items that are "almost right," you have the luxury of investing in the one thing that meets all of your needs. When I live by this "less is more" theory, I find that I really love my wardrobe. With Age Comes Wisdom For example, this year I bought a pair of boots. They are the softest leather, they fit like a glove, and I wear them nearly daily. I did not do what I've done in years past and pick up a few pairs of "almost right" boots that seem reasonable due to a smaller price tag. I find that spending more on the perfect thing that will age with you is extremely gratifying. We all know that The Real You feels transitory when we are young, but it becomes more constant as we age, and we can leverage that self-knowledge by making Smart Choices. Here's my challenge for you today: Are you aging with grace? And I don't mean are you aging "appropriately." I mean, are you finding yourself in your best place, being The Real You? Because if you aren't, there's no time like today to get started! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, | 
