Hello friends~
I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to your week, wherever you are, and whatever you’re up to!
It‘s been a whirlwind since I last wrote. Holy moly.
We wrapped a local political campaign (and fingers crossed won!), continued to maintain a commitment to a US political campaign, introduced my indoor rowing kids to the river, participated in Pride, and finally cut ties with a toxic workplace. It’s been a week!
Leaping into challenging situations like these, taking risks and doing unfamiliar things might be at least as effective in maintaining mental acuity than crossword puzzles!
I think my idols, Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda would concur.
The Power of Asking – Relentlessness
I organized a fundraiser for our daughter-in-law, Carleigh Beriont, who’s running for US Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, and it was a huge success. Throughout the organizing process over the months prior to Wednesday evening, there was an immediate, enthusiastic “yes” from everyone I asked to co-host, help, or donate. People gave so generously, like the delicious platters from Marilyn Schlossbach (White Chapel Projects) and Shanti Mignogna (Talula’s), and music from Stringbean Blues, and there was a line out the door of Jenn Hampton’s beautiful Parlor Gallery!
When I told Michael how overwhelmed with gratitude I was, he said, “Your superpower is that you are relentless. People give because they either really like you, or they just want you to go away.”
Ha, he’s funny. And maybe he’s partly right – either way it gives me real hope. I believe people give because they are inherently good, and they believe that together, we can make a real difference.
From the Erg to the River
It was my 73rd birthday on Saturday, June 6th, and a special event with some awesome kids was a great present!
I had arranged to take four of the kids from my Youth Indoor Rowing program on a field trip for National Learn to Row Day at the Navesink River Rowing Club. It took months of organizing, coordinating between the administration of the club where I volunteer to coach my Youth Indoor Rowing Program, and the water rowing club. That morning the bus pulled up and the kids hesitantly spilled out…so nervous. They’re strong indoor rowers, but they had no idea how tippy a real boat feels (one had had a short rowing experience a few years ago), or how muddy the river water would be as they gingerly climbed in. After several rounds of rowing out and being pulled back in on a safety rope, learning to feather and square the oar blades, they truly got it! It was a totally new experience for them, having only seen my videos of water rowing, and I was overjoyed watching them develop water rowing skills so quickly!
I truly hope that some of them take the plunge and sign up for the rowing club’s two-week summer program. Transportation is lined up, the costs are covered, and the parents have the registration forms. Now, commitment is the final ingredient for success so I’ll keep working with the club, parents and kids during the next few weeks.
Rainbow energy
In case you hadn’t heard, Michael and I recently conducted an energetic campaign for two spots on the Monmouth County Democratic Committee, representing our district in Asbury Park. We are completely new to political campaigning, but we gave it everything we had, and we’re ready to help energize the committee.
If not now when? And if not us, who?
So on Sunday we grabbed some rainbow gear, decked out our bicycles, met up with fellow Dem committee members, to roll along in the Asbury Park Pride Parade.
It was a fantastic, joy-filled event. It’s the largest Pride parade in New Jersey and the longest parade of any kind we’ve ever seen. We were so proud to be a small part of it. I posted a sweet video, “Love Is Love” on social media and received an outpouring of warm, positive responses. Of course, the internet being what it is, a few ugly, negative comments rolled in too.
But at this stage of my life I’m not fazed by negativity. I feel more confident than ever standing up for what I believe in.
Liberation: Leaving
And finally, this weekend, I officially quit the fitness club where I have trained clients for the last 15 years.
For a long time, management failed to prioritize the trainer-client relationship, focusing on revenue. New ownership created a toxic work culture that made staying there untenable, and I won’t miss it. My clients have the option to stay at the gym or stick with me, and making the break is a massive relief. It opens up more time and energy to continue building getupkeepmoving.com.
The Radical Freedom of Aging
Looking back at this week and the preceding months, I feel pretty strong and brave, and I believe it’s largely due to the power and freedom that goes along with aging.
I heard a wonderful quote recently, a sentiment shared by two of my icons, Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem. Neither of them originated it, but they both embody it: Aging, especially for women, is like a second childhood. We stop caring what people think, and become braver, stronger, and far more willing to take risks.
Jane Fonda says that aging isn’t an “arch” where we peak at midlife and inevitably decline. It’s a staircase – an upward, natural ascension toward wisdom, and authenticity. Gloria Steinem has said the same, and she exemplifies the liberating power of growing older.
I can personally attest to the fact I have grown more radical and rebellious with age (ask some members of my family!), I don’t care about fitting into societal expectations, and I have less imposter syndrome.
What are your thoughts on aging? Have you taken any risks or made any bold, rebellious moves in your own life lately?
I’d love to know!
X
Polli
