A Grown Woman

In 1944, 19-year-old Lauren Bacall starred in the movie “To Have and Have Not” with Humphrey “Bogie” Bogart in the lead role. The pair sizzled on screen and then off and nobody questioned their age difference or thought the pairing was odd or decried the loss of her adolescence.

That’s because in the eyes of post WWII society, Lauren Bacall was grown.

“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” ~ Ann Landers

Inhale Developed, Exhale Delayed…
Inhale Mature, Exhale Immature…
Inhale Fully-Grown, Exhale Over-Indulged…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Extended Adolescence

One of the speakers at a recent TED talk commented that childhood is a “creation of the 19th century,” and though he didn’t mention it, I was reminded that adolescence is a 20th century social construct.

It’s a construct that I’ve been fascinated by ever since the older Boomer’s kids started coming back home. Because even as a better food supply or, possibly the hormones in our food has accelerated the onset of puberty, we have slowed the acquisition of adult responsibility and lengthened the time of transition to adult roles.

And it’s impacting us individually and as a country…

“Adolescence is society’s permission slip for combining physical maturity with psychological irresponsibility.” ~ Terri Apter

Inhale Diligence, Exhale Dabbling…
Inhale Maturity, Exhale Blaming…
Inhale Responsibility, Exhale Irresponsibility…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Intentional Impact

Self-awareness is scary and hard. Because once you understand the consequences of your choices, once you realize the responsibility for your life choices lie with you, once you acknowledge your role in creating your life, you have to choose to do something …or not.

You can choose to intentionally impact your life or not choose and be unintentionally be impacted by your life. Not choosing is a choice.

“People can be divided into three groups. Those who make things happen, those who watch what happen, and those who wonder what happened”. ~ Anonymous

Inhale Intention, Exhale Accidental…
Inhale Choice, Exhale Hesitation…
Inhale Responsibility, Exhale Immaturity…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Wiser

What we ingest, consume, or absorb either helps us stretch and grow or keeps us stuck and stunted…guides us to wisdom or leads us to death.

What are you taking in?

“Eat honey, dear child—it’s good for you—and delicacies that melt in your mouth. Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul—get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock.” Proverbs 24: 13-14 MSG

Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Stagnation…
Inhale Growth, Exhale Stalled…
Inhale Maturity, Exhale Stunted…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom