Celebrating Women Over 50
What is the biggest difference in your approach to life before and after 50?
By the time you reach 50, you have a few notches in your belt. If you haven’t experienced pain, loss, or failure, you can’t know what it really means to survive, succeed, and thrive. And you won’t be able to help someone else who is in the throes of hardship themselves. Authenticity – being exactly who you are – comes a little easier when you hit 50.
The older I get, the more important I find it is to choose kindness. If there are a hundred opportunities every day to be kind or to be a bitch – choose kindness. Saying, “Hey, you are not alone, we are listening, we feel you,” can actually make a difference. I’m a mom – I still consider motherhood the most important job in the world – and one thing that never changes as a parent is trying to instill kindness, empathy, honesty, and acknowledging the basic human dignity of every person in others. As the kids grow up, the Mom gets to grow too and this is a big advantage of aging - having kids in college who are now living their own lives, so you can focus more on yourself.
What is the biggest life lesson you’d like to share with women under 50?
Say yes. Yes means “let’s try – even if you fail, you’ll learn something. If you say no, there’s no progress. I’ve had a few viewers on Pink Wisdom tell me “I want to be like you!” and I can relate to this because there are many many other women I would definitely to be like: I’m looking at you Oprah, Reese, Jacinda. But my response is always, “Nope. Be like you.”
Everybody has a gift, so whatever it is, be it and own it. You are beautiful the way you are. You matter just the way you are.
“I learned a lot about the psychology of relationships, particularly dating and breakups. I learned to focus first on loving yourself, because if you are operating out of a place of love for yourself, you can spread love.
And while I am most definitely a feminist, I know men and women are wired differently and I subscribe to feminine energy techniques for revitalizing your life, many of which are featured on Pink Wisdom. Remember the kitschy self help book “The Rules”? I am still a “Rules” girl at heart. ”
What recent projects are you most excited about that you’ve been a part?
What makes me happy? Frued got it right: love and work. But I’d put love before work. Being in love is my most favorite project right now. That said, I’ve worked on some projects I love almost as much, starting with my documentary, ‘Under the Same Sky’, sharing wisdom on love and resilience from women around the world.
I also recently played Electra, a lesbian life coach, in an independent short film called The Dependents. Performing play readings every Sunday evening with the same ensemble of talented actors since Broadway closed last year has been a big highlight of the year. The Pink Wisdom Podcast has been a great outlet for me as well. I also self-published a book.
What are you most looking forward to as you continue to thrive during this chapter (and future chapters!) of your life?
My creative work has given me the chance to meet so many people, and to follow their lives through interviews and now a documentary. I love listening to peoples’ stories, and I’m looking forward to meeting more incredible people. I feel we are in the “human business” – as actors we are bringing people to life and telling the stories of how they interact. Art teaches empathy. It might not cure cancer, but it allows people to walk in others’ shoes, experience their lives, and learn we are more alike than unalike, more similar than we are different. My goal is to be part of a regular ensemble, on TV or in theater. I’m also currently filming another documentary, this time interviewing men around the world. I love connecting people: those searching for answers and support, and the experts who have been through their struggles and can help. I find happiness in helping others discover that yes, there is a way, and in inspiring, empowering, and engaging others to believe in themselves and believe that they too can accomplish their goals.