#400. fleeting time, reminiscing & wandering around the garden

Age: 64

Relationship Status: Widow

Occupation: Retired (Sales Director)

Income: Variable but sufficient (no mortgage)

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Describe your ideal morning:

Waking up! Taking a cup of coffee outside and having a wander around my garden.

What is the last thing you think about before going to sleep?

What I have planned tomorrow.

If you could talk openly about any of the following ‘taboo’ subjects at a dinner party: politics, religion, money, or sex, what is one question you would pose to the table?

Why, when given the same set of facts about a subject, do people come to startlingly different conclusions? e.g. The election (twice) of Donald Trump.

What is something you wish were taught in school?

Money management & basic DIY.

How do you define personal happiness?

When you are content with what you already have.

Also, friends and family in my kitchen eating, drinking, dancing & singing is my happy place.

When do you feel most helpless?

When I am sick.

What is something you are nostalgic about?

I'm not really nostalgic - things that happened in the past are in the past. But I do reminisce about happy times.

When does, or will, your life feel complete?

I don't know, I'm not dead yet!

What is something you have forgiven, but will never forget?

I'm Aquarius. I forgive often but rarely forget.

What is one decision that seemed small at the time, but completely changed the direction or course of your life?

I was asked to apply for a job by a colleague that I had no desire to do, but decided to "go for it" anyway - the best job I ever had and completely changed the course of my life.

What is something that comes easily to you?

Making decisions.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Caring for my husband during a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Where is your favourite place on Earth?

I haven't been everywhere (yet), but where I live now is very special, and also the Highlands of Scotland on a warm day.

If you woke up tomorrow and were in charge of EVERYTHING, what would be the first thing you would do to make the world a better place?

Make the right to water, food, shelter, education, and energy a Human Right.

Finish this sentence: money can’t buy you happiness, but it can afford you…

Choices.

What is the best thing you have been gifted or purchased on your own within the last year?

Solar panels.

If you could give a woman who is 10 years younger than you a single piece of advice, what would it be?

I would hesitate to give a woman only 10 years younger than me advice, but I would say look after your health and use all your "keeping for good" things now.

I do advise younger people to do something in life they feel passionate about (if they can) and don't get hung up on making more money or comparing themselves to others.

Is there anyone who knows everything about you?

NOPE!

If you knew that life was short, what is one thing you would do right now?

I am already aware life is fleeting, and I have done "the thing" by moving to a different country.

If you knew that life was long, what is one thing you would do right now?

Plant more trees and flowers in my garden (actually doing that now)

BONUS: Tell me something good.

In my experience, most people are good if you treat them as you wish to be treated.

Age is just a number, but your attitude to aging is everything.