RachelGreen.Com:

RachelGreen.Com Pty Ltd

Norma Bertram, 41 year old secretary.

Age

Job/Major interest

Secretary/Helping people/making the most of life.

Where I live

Perth, Western Australia.

The best thing about being over 40

Accepting myself, with all my flaws and virtues, and learning to love who I am, without the need for justification or validation from anyone else. Knowing that if I want something enough, I can achieve it, learn it, get it, through my own efforts. The life experiences I’ve had so far: marriage, children, living and traveling overseas; independence: surviving divorce and single motherhood, getting my first job at 30, buying my first home, learning that I don’t need someone to make decisions for me; and not worrying anymore about trivial stuff that I used to obsess over when younger, like whether others like me, or if I’ll fit in. Being able to forgive and let go, instead of hanging on to grievances and hurts.

The worst thing about being over 40

My eyesight isn’t what it used to be! I’m starting to think seriously about visiting the optometrist.

My one regret

That the second time around I married a man who I knew didn’t love me.

What I know now that I wish I'd known at 21

That accepting and loving who I am is more important than having the acceptance of anyone else, and that by loving and accepting myself the way I am, I can change and achieve what I need to.

How I'll celebrate my next birthday

Dinner at home (probably a BBQ), with my extended family (Mum, son, siblings and their families) and probably a get together with friends.

One thing I've achieved since being 40

Got myself back to the gym, with personal training sessions, and am definitely reaping the weight loss/muscle tone/general health benefits!

My goals for the next 10 years

Currently taking lessons for an HR licence to fulfill a long held goal to work in mining, driving a Haulpac. Aim to work 2-5 years, pay off the mortgage, put away some savings for future security, then come back to metro area and become a mining safety trainer. (need site experience)
Ų Do more volunteer work – something to give back to the community, probably fundraising.
Ų Build/maintain relationships – spend quality time with family and friends
Ų Be happy
Ų See more of the world – maybe in conjunction with volunteer work, probably holidays with son/mother
Ų Learn to ride a motor bike and/or fly a plane

How I keep healthy

I go to the gym 2-4 times a week and have a personal trainer once a fortnight. I walk a couple of times a week (about 40-45 mins). I don’t smoke and only drink very little and infrequently. I make time to get together with family and friends, and time to relax. I’ve just started taking glucosamine to stop the joints from creaking, and try to get plenty of fresh fruit and vege, and drink lots of water (though sometimes have trouble with this last one). I use sunscreen and stay out of the sun in the middle of the day.

The people who inspire me

Dr Fiona Wood – she studied her medical degrees while raising six children, specialized in plastic surgery burns treatments, gave her time and expertise to assist the Bali Bomb victims, and gives so much to the community – no wonder she was nominated Australian of the Year!
Ų Geena Davis – member of Mensa, actress extraodinare and gorgeous as all get out!
Ų My mother – she traveled from Europe to Australia with my father and 3 young children to start a new life. When my father passed away last year, she went back to visit ‘the old country’ for the first time in over 40 years. She got a computer and learned how to use email at the age of 73. She still drives, sews her own clothes, bakes, works in her garden, has joined a seniors fitness group, and has a busier social life than I do.

Favourite hobby

Reading, hosting dinner parties, making jewellery, sewing (love them all).

Favourite TV/Radio programme or magazine

All Saints, Thank God You’re Here, World Around Us

Favourite Music

Anything by Queen or Enya

Favourite Sound

Waves crashing on the beach, “bush quiet” (wind soughing through the trees, bird song, insect sounds – not quite silent yet very restful and serene)

My advice to other people in midlife

Look back and enjoy what has been without regret, look forward to what is to be with anticipation, and enjoy the experience of everything in the now!

One of my favourite sayings

“Old enough to know better, young enough to do it again!”

E-mail:

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PO Box 344, Kelmscott, WA 6991 Australia
Phone: +61 8 9390 1188 Fax: +61 8 9390 1199

Updated 2-Oct-2008