There’s a sense in which – since I turned 80 – it seems I have faced more and more challenges.

And yet – as I look back over my life – i realise that in fact – there have been many challenges to overcome.

“Being challenged in life is inevitable – Being defeated is an option” – and I love the caption that accompanies this quote. A dart – seeking to fly through the air – while tethered to an anchor – seems to me an excellent picture – that captures the feeling I can sometimes have – when trying to rise above a challenge.

As challenges continue to come – I am finding that I need to be more and more resilient – as life changes from how it used to be – and I need to constantly adapt – accepting the new reality presented to me.

And I confess – that is not always easy – but – “Resilience is accepting your new reality – even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it – you can do nothing but scream about what you have lost – or you can accept that – and try to put something together that’s good”.

The latest challenge that has presented itself to me – is one of diminishing mobility.

I have always loved walking – especially in the countryside – and because of increasing pain in my knee – and also a dropped arch in my foot – it has become difficult for me to walk long distances – though – I am thankful that I can manage to conquer the pain enough to get out and tend the garden.

But – I love how someone put it here – “Challenges are what make life interesting – and overcoming them – is what makes life meaningful”.

And – I guess that is true – for these challenges do make life interesting – as well as challenging – and have caused me to seek to find ways to overcome them.

Although I admit – I did feel a little reluctant at first – I began to consider the use of a mobility scooter – to give me the opportunity to get out more- and revisit some of the places where I used to walk.

I was researching the possibility of hiring a small version – that would fit into the car – to enable us to do this.

In sharing this at a family gathering – imagine my delight and surprise – when someone there offered to loan me theirs to try.

I hadn’t even known that they had one – and as – at this moment in time – they had no need for it – I needed no persuasion – and came home – so happy – and realised how true it is that – “Sometimes – what you’re looking for – comes when you are not looking at all”

I am so grateful – for that kind gesture – that has given me the opportunity that I was looking for – and – already I have had the chance to get out and about much more.

Getting around in this way may not be the same as it used to be – but – “Life is accepting the challenges along the way – choosing to keep moving forward – and savouring the journey”.

And so – my journey continues – as I seek to find meaning – even in the challenges that come my way.

Blessings – Lois