The Mindful Midlife

Welcome to
The Mindful Midlife
Community Newsletter!
A podcast for people navigating the complexities and possibilities of life's second half...
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Reflect-Learn-Grow
Hello Jack,

This past week we aired the last episode of The Mindful Midlife Crisis. Don't worry...old episodes aren't going anywhere, but I will not be recording anything new. This isn't a temporary or indefinite pause like in the past. This is my final decision.

I was having a hard time putting my feelings about leaving podcast into words, but I recently saw a post from renowned strength coach Luka Hocevar where he talked about the importance of "Care Units" as a coach, and it put things into perspective as to why I feel the time is right to leave the podcast behind.

It reminded me of my time as a teacher and how much I was connecting my feelings of success and failure to other people's "success" in my class. I think that's a common feeling for teachers, but it's hard for people in professions like education and medicine to "care less."

But I'm feeling that same desperation and frustration I felt back when I was a teacher and a dean, and the more I press, the further I'm driving people away. One of the most important life lessons I've learned during this 2.5 year odyssey is to stop investing time and energy into people and things that are not reciprocating that same time and energy.

This podcast has been an amazing experience for me, and I sincerely hope you've found it to be both entertaining and enlightening. But I'm starting to associate my worth with its performance, and the amount of time, energy, and money I'm pouring into it isn't showing me the returns I was hoping to see, so it's time to let it go.

New doors of opportunity are opening for me, and it's time to walk through them and close the door to the podcast studio. But I've left behind a catalogue of helpful conversations that we can all return to anytime we need help navigating the complexities and possibilities of life's second half.

Throughout this entire process, I've asked myself, "What legacy do you want to leave behind?"

I've thought about ways to answer this without sounding too pretentious or conversely too simplistic.

When it comes down to it, I want my legacy in life to be this:
I want to make people feel included, valued, heard, and inspired.
And I feel like The Mindful Midlife Crisis did a good job of doing that.

I am proud of what this podcast has accomplished. As a straight, white, American male, I knew it was important to get a cross-section of viewpoints so that I could provide a platform for people to share their experiences and expertise because diversity of thought not only prevents us from living in an echo chamber but it also nurtures empathy and compassion for others.

In the first 100 episodes, we interviewed 81 guests.

45 are women.
23 are people of color.
5 identify as LGBTQ.

I started with my own internal network, but as I looked at that community, I realized it lacked certain voices, experiences, and perspectives, so I did my best to be intentional around making sure I was having conversations with people who were not just doing great things but who also had unique experiences to mine who could provide new insights, reframe my biases, and make me more aware of my blind spots.

I owe so much to my guests for the wisdom they shared not just with my listeners but also with me. I am a better person for sitting down with each of them, and I look forward to using the knowledge they have imparted (and continue to impart) to help me better navigate the complexities and possibilities of life's second half.

I hope you take the time to listen to their words as well.
I hope you take the time to listen to the experiences of others around you.
I hope you take the time to become aware of whose voice is missing from the table.
I hope you take the time to invite them to sit with you.
I hope you take the time to reflect, learn, and grow.

Thanks again!
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!

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If you're wondering what it might feel like to live with increased awareness and how you can apply that increased awareness to your day to day life, join our weekly Meditate & Mingle sessions every Monday evening from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm CT.
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Thank you for supporting
The Mindful Midlife Crisis.
May you feel happy, healthy, and loved.
Take care, friends!
-Billy
Here's what our Mindful Midlife
Community Members are saying
about their experiences so far!
"I've been fortunate enough to be a member of Billy's mindfulness community here in Seoul and what a gift to have found a place to slow down and reset in an otherwise fast paced city. I appreciate the ease with which he settles us into the moment as well as the care and craft put into every meditation. He is a natural leader. I've maintained a meditation practice for some time yet Billy continually prompts new awareness with each session!"
-Young from Seoul, South Korea
"I enrolled in Billy's online as well as offline meetings about a month ago. I enrolled in this course because I was grappling with a high level of nervous tension which was manifesting in an unhealthy relationship to my body, my smartphone, and my time. I wanted to be able to establish a sense of equilibrium within myself to counter this. One thing I have learned from taking this course is that mindfulness is essentially just a surrender to the moment - I have truly experienced the freedom of simply letting things be what they are, myself included. What I really appreciate about working with Billy is the way he scaffolds each step of the mindfulness process with simple, accessible guidance. This really helps you to access a state of mindfulness from a deeper angle." -Kitty from South Africa
"I have been a member of his mindfulness community for about 6 months. I started practicing mindfulness with Billy because I needed something to change in my daily routines, as I was burned out at home and at work without giving myself space to heal and rest. Billy's weekly mindfulness meditations gave me a space where I could build in much needed reflection and rejuvenation into my weekly routine. Leaving his sessions, I feel more calm, better able to tackle challenges at work and home, less anxious and stressed, more attuned to my body and mind, and overall more fulfilled my current life. I enjoy working with Billy because he asks individualized questions that get me to truly reflect on what mindfulness means to me and how it can be built into my life on a daily basis; it's not some challenging, unapproachable skill that only the most devoted gurus possess. He has created a place where I can openly share my life experiences and challenges in a supportive environment. One thing I've learned/improved through working with Billy is the importance of seeing how mindfulness can be built into the smallest routines of my day with some intentionality and a little planning. Thank you, Billy!" -Luke from Minnesota
"I am delighted to share my profound experience with the mindfulness class led by Billy Lahr. A few months ago, a friend gave me the 'Heart Sutra', and I cherish it dearly as I am on a quest to cultivate inner peace and engage in self-reflection. It was during this search that I came across Billy's mindfulness lessons, which have truly transformed my journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone seeking to enhance their well-being and cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace. I had the privilege of actively participating in both group lessons conducted through both Zoom and in-person formats, as well as engaging in insightful 1:1 session. Throughout the course, I continuously marveled at the profound impact mindfulness had on various aspects of my life. Billy's expertise, compassionate and non-judgmental nature, along with calm and clear voice, created an atmosphere of remarkable peace within me. Each session brought forth new insights and learnings, and every interaction fostered personal growth, deepened my self-reflection, and contributed to my overall development. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the sense of community and connection fostered during the group sessions. The discussions and reflections we engaged in added an extra layer of richness to the learning experience, allowing us to support and learn from one another in a profound way. I am sincerely thankful and grateful for this mindfulness class, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Billy for embarking on this transformative journey and conducting the class. If you are seeking a mindfulness class that combines expertise, compassion, and practicality, I wholeheartedly recommend Billy's course." -Lilis from Singapore
Want more?
Check out our Fan Faves Media Player or listen to Billy share his insights on other podcasts!
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1. Subscribe to our show on your preferred podcast platform.
2. Share the show or your favorite episodes with your friends and family.
3. Leave us a 5-star review.
4. Make a donation. We'll even read your message on the air if you want! Your donations will be used to cover all of our production costs.
5. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video versions of each episode as well as guided meditations.
6. If your situation requires professional help beyond my expertise and life experiences, try out a free week of BetterHelp using my referral link.
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–Twitter: @mindfulmidlife
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Thanks,

Jack Bosma
Solveres Independent Solution Representative and District Manager
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"Inspect what you expect."