Bay Shore NY
1-13-2026 7:03pm

Looking Back While Living in the Moment

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - LOOKING BACK WHILE LIVING IN THE MOMENT

My boyfriend and I just celebrated 13 years living together in the same apartment, which we now call home. We're together 14 years in June. Time is moving fast. This is the longest relationship either of us have ever been in, and it gets better with time. The beautiful thing about being with someone this long is that you get to grow together through life's ups and downs. You learn how to take care of each other. 

The beginning of a relationship, often referred to as the "honeymoon phase" is wonderful. You can't wait to be together, and you never want to be apart. That was the case with us. Ward and I know each other from middle school. I remember him most from high school, though, seeing him walk through the hallways with his then girlfriend. He was always talking in her ear with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. I always wondered what he was saying.

I especially remember his shoes. He either wore boat shoes - he loved to sail - or he was wearing army boots. Yes, army boots. They were the rage then. When we got together years later, I asked him if he still had those army boots. They would be vintage now.

Ward was taller than most of the other guys in school, and he was grunge before that was even in our vernacular. His hair was very long, and sometimes he dressed preppy, too. There were many conflicting styles in the 70's. We never dated in high school, and we didn't have any contact for more than 35 years after graduation until I received a message on Facebook from him. We met on Father's Day in 2012 and have been together ever since.

We can't possibly know what lies ahead for us. Living in the adesso, the now in Italian, is where we can find more peace. If we focus on the future too much, we can become anxious and unhappy. I read a lot about mental and physical health. I finally quit smoking in 2024. That's the best thing I've done for myself recently. My nervous system is calmer. Every now and then, I crave a cigarette, but I made a promise to myself to never smoke again. It was a good breakup.

I listen to podcasts and read books on personal growth. There's never enough personal growth in my opinion. At this age, health - mind, body, and soul - is paramount. There is so much written about it, and we can't escape its influence. From Deepak Chopra to Oprah to Eckert Tolle and his Power of Now, I've learned a great deal about living in the moment. It's where life is. It's the only place it exists. In one of his recent podcasts, Eckert Tolle quoted an interpretation of something Jesus Christ said: "Living in the moment is living fully." That made a big impression on me. 

I am also a big fan of Lenny Kravitz. He does a lot of personal work on himself and always strives to be the best version of himself. He's a spiritual guru, and he inspires me. One of the best songs he's written, in my opinion, is Let Love Rule. It's one of his biggest hits, and he wrote it early in his career. It's become a mantra of mine. Love. What a beautiful word. Love. It's my favorite word. If we express Love more often, we become Love. 

I also love the writer and poet, Maya Angelo. She says, "You can't love someone else if you don't love yourself." I understand that now. You must love yourself fully and know your purpose in life. That's the work. Sometimes I find myself asking, "Why are we here on earth? What are we here to do?" I believe it is to learn how to love ourselves and the God space that resides in each of us. We are made of God Love.

So, the next time you feel lost or sad or misunderstood, turn inward and sit quietly for a little while. You will be brought back to your true self in the silence of your mind. Questa è la vita pienamente vissuta. That's living fully.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, loving ourselves frees us. 

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is gathering with my cousins this coming Sunday. Some of us were sick through the holidays, so we couldn't get together. This weekend, we will be.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week is temps hitting above 40 degrees. December was cold.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please guide us in harmony with your love and grace as we live our lives to the fullest of our abilities. Amen.

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: Living fully is living in the moment.

Italian: Vivere al momento.

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Most of you know by now that I love all things Italian. From the food to the people, the landscape, and the ambiance, Italy is a magnificently beautiful country on every level. Most importantly, is its aesthetic. Don't be afraid to bring a little Italian style into your home.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK?

How do you live in the moment?

Please put your answer in the Comment section below. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF WEEK - LET LOVE RULE by LENNY KRAVITZ

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LYRICS

Love is gentle as a rose
And love can conquer any war
It's time to take a stand
Brothers and sisters, join hands
We've got to let love rule
(Let love rule)
We got to let love rule
(Let love rule)
Love transcends all space and time
And love can make a little child smile
Can't you see this won't go wrong
But we got to be strong
We can't do it alone
We got to let love rule
(Let love rule)
We got to let love rule
(Let love rule)
(Let love rule)
You got to, got to, got to
(Let love rule) let love rule, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, yeah
You got to, got to, got to
(Let love rule) let, let, let, let love rule
Let love rule, whoa!
(Let love rule) let love rule, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
You got to, got to, got to
Yes, yeah-yeah
Dee-bee-bee-beep-beep, baby, yeah-yeah
You got to, yeah
You got to, got to, got to, got to, yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah
Let love rule

MY BRAND - SKYLARK LIVE

I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

Skylark Live Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark - Living Life Inside and Outside the Home, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, goals, motivation, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I open to ideas of what to write about, so let me know. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter! You can also become a paying subscriber.

Skylark Live Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog is a recap of the articles I've written in my newsletter throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. You can find some of my vlogs on my YouTube channel. I also post them on my social media platforms. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

$UPPORT ME:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

Substack - https://substack.com/@christinelarkin1?

Personal Shopper for Interior Decorating - www.skylarklive.org

FOLLOW ME:

Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!

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