Wish You Were Here
Hi, everyone!
I am writing from deep in the heart of I Don't Know, on the precipice of The Scary Thing, somewhere east-northeast of Reinvention. It isn't my first time here, but it's been a while.
It's also been a while since I have written. You know, it's hard for me to admit this ... as much as I preach against perfection and for reality, I still tend to hide when I'm out of sorts ... or sorting out. It's like I know that I Don't Know is where I need to be ... I am just still afraid of not seeming so damn SURE of myself all of the time. Even to you, my FFG friends.
Anyway, I want to tell you first that reading the guest book brings tears to my eyes. It astonishes me every day that more and more women are claiming what is rightly theirs ... their health, their time, their bodies, their power and confidence ... and that I might have something to do with it. Little ordinary me. It shows me every day that massive change is possible, even on a grand scale, if we just take some chances. Because (like I said in the book)--if I can do it, anyone can.
I am rambling a bit (so what's new?), but I just can't tell you how much your posts mean to me ... that I am somehow making a difference. I am hearing your stories of real change, and am so grateful for them.
Back to the point already!
So ... the actual, physical locale I'm writing from is Nashville Tennessee, soon to be my new home. I am moving here to be editor of a new magazine called Spry ... that's launching in September.
Spry is a monthly magazine distributed in newspapers to 9 million people! That's the same number of copies of Elvis's Christmas Album ever sold, and tops Michael Jackson's Bad by a rather embarrassing million!
So what the heck is Spry about? Living every day better than the last. Seeing life ... and age ... as an opportunity, an adventure (not as an endurance race). It's about the glass-half-full, the new door opening, the next phase of our lives where we have the confidence, the power and the wherewithal to explore new things, to reach new goals ... to live the life we have always wanted.
Yes, it's about health and wellness and fitness and nutrition and all that, mostly for women ages 35-64 (but hey, I know you youngsters and "maturesters" will love it too!). But it's also about inspiration ... being inspired to take healthier actions in your life, and reading inspiring stories about women who are achieving, bouncing back, taking risks ... and helping others to do so.
For me, it's a chance to create my own thing from scratch and to reach a bigger platform than I ever have before. I am so excited about it ... but it is a huge risk and responsibility. Selling a house (have you HEARD about the current real estate market?). Starting a magazine. Moving a family (son, husband, dog). Moving away from family (my inlaws). No one ever said I had perfect timing.
But this IS the year of I Don't Know, right? I am trying to remember that, as wonder where we will be for the summer ... when Johnny is out of school ...
Anyway, I wanted to let you all know about my new thing. I promise I won't abandon you ... and I'm hoping I'm more connected than I have been over the last several months.
Also, I am looking for stories about women who are what you think of as Spry: someone who has reached a life goal (like ... losing weight? hint, hint), someone who has conquered a health issue, or started a charity, or just looks damn great for her age (and makes us all wonder how she does it!). Tell me about all the Spry women in your life (or maybe it's you!)!
Love you, all of you wonderful friends--
Lisa D
I am writing from deep in the heart of I Don't Know, on the precipice of The Scary Thing, somewhere east-northeast of Reinvention. It isn't my first time here, but it's been a while.
It's also been a while since I have written. You know, it's hard for me to admit this ... as much as I preach against perfection and for reality, I still tend to hide when I'm out of sorts ... or sorting out. It's like I know that I Don't Know is where I need to be ... I am just still afraid of not seeming so damn SURE of myself all of the time. Even to you, my FFG friends.
Anyway, I want to tell you first that reading the guest book brings tears to my eyes. It astonishes me every day that more and more women are claiming what is rightly theirs ... their health, their time, their bodies, their power and confidence ... and that I might have something to do with it. Little ordinary me. It shows me every day that massive change is possible, even on a grand scale, if we just take some chances. Because (like I said in the book)--if I can do it, anyone can.
I am rambling a bit (so what's new?), but I just can't tell you how much your posts mean to me ... that I am somehow making a difference. I am hearing your stories of real change, and am so grateful for them.
Back to the point already!
So ... the actual, physical locale I'm writing from is Nashville Tennessee, soon to be my new home. I am moving here to be editor of a new magazine called Spry ... that's launching in September.
Spry is a monthly magazine distributed in newspapers to 9 million people! That's the same number of copies of Elvis's Christmas Album ever sold, and tops Michael Jackson's Bad by a rather embarrassing million!
So what the heck is Spry about? Living every day better than the last. Seeing life ... and age ... as an opportunity, an adventure (not as an endurance race). It's about the glass-half-full, the new door opening, the next phase of our lives where we have the confidence, the power and the wherewithal to explore new things, to reach new goals ... to live the life we have always wanted.
Yes, it's about health and wellness and fitness and nutrition and all that, mostly for women ages 35-64 (but hey, I know you youngsters and "maturesters" will love it too!). But it's also about inspiration ... being inspired to take healthier actions in your life, and reading inspiring stories about women who are achieving, bouncing back, taking risks ... and helping others to do so.
For me, it's a chance to create my own thing from scratch and to reach a bigger platform than I ever have before. I am so excited about it ... but it is a huge risk and responsibility. Selling a house (have you HEARD about the current real estate market?). Starting a magazine. Moving a family (son, husband, dog). Moving away from family (my inlaws). No one ever said I had perfect timing.
But this IS the year of I Don't Know, right? I am trying to remember that, as wonder where we will be for the summer ... when Johnny is out of school ...
Anyway, I wanted to let you all know about my new thing. I promise I won't abandon you ... and I'm hoping I'm more connected than I have been over the last several months.
Also, I am looking for stories about women who are what you think of as Spry: someone who has reached a life goal (like ... losing weight? hint, hint), someone who has conquered a health issue, or started a charity, or just looks damn great for her age (and makes us all wonder how she does it!). Tell me about all the Spry women in your life (or maybe it's you!)!
Love you, all of you wonderful friends--
Lisa D
posted by Lisa Delaney at
8:59 AM
7 Comments:
Congratulations on the move!!! You will love Nashville. I just moved from there after living there for 5 years and I still miss it all the time.
So I'm not at all in your target demographic agewise, but a year before I left Nashville, I started this: http://www.tapaba.org. I also know a ton of phenomenal women around town so let me know if you need ideas!
Teresa ...
I would LOVE for you to send me ideas! I'm very excited (when I'm not terrified about all the other stuff that moving involves) about exploring Nashville and meeting people here!
I am open to any and all ideas ... you can send them to me at lisa@formerfatgirl.com (so as not to jam up the blog!). Thank you so much ...!
Dear Lisa,
Loves right back to you and please don't be afraid and please don't worry about this fabulous new move. I love it. If I may, I'd like to leave a portion of my favorite saying from Marianne Williamson. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We are all meant to shine. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Remember what it took to get here and we are all in your corner rooting you on. Blessings on your courage. Have a great week.
Kelly
What a fabulous quote!
Thanks, Kelly! And have you made your big move yet?
Hi again,
Not yet, but very soon, in about three months. Right now I am saving all I can while still having that weekly huge diet coke at McDonald's. (and a vanilla cone) I am also preparing, planning, reading, dreaming and resting and bowing my head in gratitude. I am so happy I could skip. Thank you for asking. It was very kind of you. I look forward to your updates on Nashville. My best to you always.
Kelly
Lisa, conGRATS on the new gig! I am so excited for you... an I've heard that nashville is a great place to be.
Does SPRY have distribution in Mpls? Because I can't wait to read it!
I have some ideas... and of course would welcome the chance to do any writing if you need it! I've lost your email address, but you can reach me at jessica1002@gmail.com.
Hugs to you! Best of luck with the stress of the move!
~jessica seaberg
Lisa:
Congrats on Spry! Whilst I am working towards FFG status (shhh--I am (mostly secretly) running regularly-- have done 30 minutes on the treadmill 4 times this week!!!...)
My older sister is definitely a story you'd want to tell in your new magazine.
Here is her blog for full info:
http://laurencahn.blogspot.com/
Briefly, her story is that she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36 in 2002. At that time, she was married with 2 young children and a corporate lawyer.) She 'left' that life behind and had a double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation-- and changed her whole life.
Now, at age 41, she is a Yoga instructor (and a Yoga fiend.)She's heroic, not to mention a kick ass writer-- check her out.
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