Our guest blogger this week is long time friend and author Karen O’Connor sharing about her new book Laughing All the Way. No matter what season of life you’re in right now, we’re all going to grow older, and Karen gives wise perspective on how to enjoy the life God has granted to each of us.
Karen is offering a free copy of Laughing All the Way. Just leave a comment below to enter the drawing. It would make a great gift!
I came across this quote in Our Daily Bread (9/7/18) article “Unchanging Love” by James Banks, “We grow older and the world around us may change, but God’s love doesn’t. He can always be trusted to take care of those who turn to Him.”
Laughing All the Way
By Karen O’Connor
“The tragedy of life is not that it ends too soon, but that we wait so long to begin it,” said William Mather Lewis, American teacher, university president, and state and national government official.
[Tweet “”The tragedy of life is not that it ends too soon, but that we wait so long to begin it,” William Mather Lewis”]
This quote gave me pause as I considered my own life now that I’m heading down the home stretch. Do I give up and just watch TV or do I open the door and walk outside eager for what God might bring my way today? I want to open the door but sometimes I’m afraid or worried or anxious about what might be out there.
[Tweet “Karen O’Connor says I decided that hiding out, using old age as an excuse, was completely contrary to my personality and my experience.”]
I decided that hiding out, using old age as an excuse, was completely contrary to my personality and my experience so I decided to write one more book, continue teaching writing to young people online, and sign up for substitute teaching one day a week at a nearby school.
Once I put all these actions in motion, I watched my fears and worries melt away. I was smiling more and pretty soon laughing at the obstacles I had erected for myself. I share my experiences and those of others in my new book: Laughing All the Way: Wit, Wisdom, and Willpower for the Golden Years. (Harvest House Publishers, 2018).
[Tweet “Karen O’connor says If you feel the need for mentoring from an old gal who’s been there and done that, I hope my book will provide it”]
If you feel the need for a bit of mentoring from an old gal who’s been there and done that, I hope my book will provide it through chapters in the following sections:
Making New Choices will cover some of the ways we can become involved with new people and places, as well as new ways of thinking.
Accepting New Challenges will highlight the inevitable experiences that are part of the aging process: illness, loss of a loved one, financial worries and so on, and how we can accept and work with them in positive ways—and even smile through them.
Taking New Chances will prompt you to risk more and worry less, to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do—whether it’s singing lessons, or running a marathon for seniors, or repairing a broken friendship before it’s too late.
Opening New Chapters will suggest ways to rekindle your relationship with God, how to live in the heartland of gratitude and joy regardless of the circumstances, and coming to realize that growing old is truly a ‘privilege few people get to experience.’
[Tweet “Growing old is truly a ‘privilege few people get to experience.’Karen O’Connor”]
I’d love to hear from you about what you’re doing to make the most of growing older with wit, wisdom, and willpower. Please visit me:
https://www.facebook.com/karen.p.oconnor
Don’t forget to leave a comment below to join the drawing to receive a copy of Karen’s new book. If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.
It sounds like a great book that will be helpful to many.
Thanks, Amanda. I appreciate your sharing your comment.
Thank you for the blog above. My husband is 61 and I am 49 but we have several aging siblings that are entering this new chapter of caring for an older spouse and what that means. This book could help them see the lighter sides of that challenge.
Thanks, LeAna, for leaving a comment. I agree that seeing the lighter side of life is something that can help us age gracefully.
Thank you for helping me through this blog post! I can’t begin to tell you how it came at just the right time on the right day. I laid awake for a while last night praying about this stuff. I have a new resolve today….just to draw closer to God and live!
Hi Margaret. Thanks for posting your comment. Aging can leave us a bit frightened and concerned, but like you, I find that drawing closer to God at such times, and doing something positive that brings a smile can really help.
I love this reminder to ‘keep it moving sister!’…I just retired and I long to finish well, finish strong, finish faithful…bearing much fruit that remains.
Hi Sandy. I love your positive attitude. Thanks for sharing it.
Laughter doeth good like a medicine! Books looks great.
Thanks, Elaine. I agree that we all need a bit of laughter. May help cure what ails us even more than medicine–depending, of course, on the situation. 😊
As I approached 60 a few years ago, I decided to try something new each year to hinder the aging process! I feel accomplished and ready to take on a new challenge again. With these. Challenges have come many laughs that you can only enjoy with age! This sounds like I book I would love to read.
Thanks for your encouraging comment, Lisa. I admire you for trying something new to hinder the feeling of aging. We can all learn from your example.
Love this article! I plan on using some of the quotes for my mentoring ministry in October! Thank youa
^Thank you!
Thank you, Tammy, for leaving your comment. I’m happy to hear the quotes are encouraging to you. They are to me too. 😊
Laughter is sooo needed! I want to take laughing yoga🤪😂
Hi Ellen. I’m with you. Yoga and laughter–a perfect combo.
Thank you for a reminder that we all have something to give regardless of our age.
Thanks, Julie. I’m happy to hear that you appreciate being reminded that we all have something special to offer regardless of our age.
Thank you for a reminder that we all have something to give regardless of our age. Look like a good book.
I need this book! Thanks for offering us courage to grow old and live the life God has blessed us with. At the age of 63 I am stepping in to the Women’s Ministry Director position at my church. Now God does have a good sense of humor!!
Thanks, Sandy. How wonderful to hear you are stepping into ministry for women as you enter the golden years. You’ll have the wisdom of age to share with your gals.
Ellen was the winner of the drawing for a copy of Karen O’Connor’s book Laughing All the Way. Thank you all for leaving a comment and I hope you will pick up a copy of Karen’s book. I know you will enjoy it and it would also make a perfect gift. Thank you also for following my blog and there will be future opportunities to win books.
What a delightful, helpful and inspiring book! Karen O’Connor has done it again–she helps us navigate the often perilous journey through the aging process while gently showing how nurturing a sense of humor is essential for our well-being. I will be getting this for friends and family!
Hi Vicki, yes Karen O’Connor definitely knows how to keep us laughing and thoughtful as we grow older. You will definitely enjoy her latest book in her series and yes it will make a great gift.