June Smith on how to hold on to happiness and awe at any age

Joy Meets World

At 91, a Santa Cruz writer reflects on keeping happiness and awe in daily life BY JUNE SMITH

Iwas one of the millions who tuned in to The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007 to learn the mystery of The Secret. Defined as the law of attraction, it states that “like attracts like,” and the energy you put into the world— both good and bad—is exactly what comes back.

After turning 91 this year, one of the notes that speaks the loudest to me is taped to a shelf by my computer:

“If you keep asking ‘May I?, June,’ I’ll keep asking ‘Will you?’ It has never been up to me. —The Universe.”

So, what will I do each day? I’ve found that a daily routine works best, and experts say stress reduction is one of the psychological benefits of routine. Morning prayers and a stretch in bed are followed by a cup of warm water with a squeeze of lemon and a raw probiotic tablet for women over 50. For breakfast, I combine blueberries in a protein smoothie of organic grass-fed mocha mix with collagen peptides, said to boost the immune system. Going the extra mile, I add a teaspoon of mushroom blend and a scoop of L glutamine amino powder for healthy gut support. (One may need extra help to make “all systems go,” if you get my drift).

I turn on the TV for the daily news and browse the guide to see if any of my favorite celebrities will appear on talk shows. If Wanda Sykes is showing up, I’m there.

Chair yoga class by Zoom is next. Instructor Suzi Mahler is passionate about sharing her knowledge of yoga therapy for healthy aging and loves interjecting self-care- tips.

Choices for lunch and dinner include high-fiber foods, organic fruits and vegetables, and at times, a lean grassfed beef patty. I follow the Ayurvedic practice of having spices with each meal and eating fruits and vegetables when in season. I shop at Trader Joe’s, New Leaf and Whole Foods; I order all nonperishable food from Thrive Online Organic Market, delivered with the mantra, “To make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone.” The box is placed on top of my gatehouse mailboxes where I can’t reach it, but my helpful neighbors ensure it gets to my door.

By then, the sun is shining on my deck with a sweeping view of Monterey Bay. It’s time to go out and catch up on some reading while soaking up 20 minutes of Vitamin D. Recently, a magazine article titled “The Power of Awe” caught my eye, and this is the perfect illustration of that phrase. I dreamed of retiring with an ocean view, and I believe I attracted this condo with the help of “The Universe” because I found this property before my realtors did.

Then, my one and only soap, General Hospital, comes on. I’ve been watching this show for almost 60 years—I started while giving a bottle to my adopted son Jeff—so why stop now?

During the Covid shutdown, connection with friends was crucial; much of it was done on Facebook or Zoom. In 2021, coach and author Theresa Barnabei announced the Mid-LIFE Rising Summit co-hosted by Kelli Roth, a friend of the family. When I posted that I was past mid-life but would offer some advice, I was invited to join 27 other women speakers. We were each to provide a catchphrase, and I chose “Follow the nudge and be open to the surprise of the journey.”

Here’s how I do exactly that with the three big loves of my lifestyle:

Writing

I started writing in grade school in a suburb of Chicago. Because I went to the same high school as Ernest Hemmingway, I like to imagine absorbing his vibes while sitting at his desk in journalism class.

Later in life, after joining a group for a one-week ocean seminar swimming with wild spinner dolphins in Hawaii, I turned my journal notes into an article, not knowing where I could send it. The Santa Cruz daily paper ran an announcement that the travel editor was retiring, and articles from readers were encouraged. That was more than a mere nudge! I submitted the story, was asked for photos, and it ran on the front page of the Sunday Features section. That led to me becoming a regular correspondent for that paper, and then I began to call myself a professional writer. Examiner. com hired me to write three columns, including The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Examiner (as a retired co-owner of a Santa Cruz winery) and The Holistic Health Examiner, which continued until the publication went offline.

I had always aspired to write for Good Times, and the opportunity came when I asked the managing editor at the time, who I knew, if the paper would consider a column for active seniors. She set me up for an appointment with the editor to present my ideas. The timing was perfect, as he was preparing to introduce an annual senior magazine. I left his office with assignments for three articles.

Dancing

I’m an avid Zumba fan, leading me to favor Latin rhythms. One night at a Capitola Twilight concert, I spied an elderly Latino couple undulating to a sexy salsa and heard myself think, “I’ll have what they’re having!” 12»

JOY OF FAMILY The author with her grandson Phoenix, who surprised her with an outing to Salsa By the Sea, the weekly dancing event held next to Ideal Bar & Grill by the Santa Cruz Wharf.

At that pivotal moment, I knew I would learn Latin partner dancing, whatever it took. As a widow, I was not ready to give up my sensuality. My friend Chris Kenney, fine art conservator by day and percussionist for Africaninspired dance classes by night, had taught partner dancing and was willing to give me lessons. After a few sessions, he took me to the Palomar Ballroom for a salsa session, and then we celebrated my “graduation” at Salsa by the Sea on the wharf. We’ve continued with chacha, rhumba, bachata and swing classes for almost 10 years and have become best friends. I call him my chauffeur, handyman, escort, and IT guy, and he

«10 calls me his bodyguard. His offbeat sense of humor keeps me laughing.

Family

I’m fortunate that my four adult kids, eight grandkids and rescued Chihuahua, Goji, all live in the Bay Area. Jeff is an English professor in Contra Costa, Brad is EVP, Head of Fund Finance for Pacific Western Bank and Jason is the shipping and warehouse manager of a data distributing company. Daughter Joy is a professional dancer appointed by Zumba Fitness as the only person responsible for training and licensing instructors in Northern California. (I took her to dance classes as soon as she could walk).

When her son Phoenix was born, I visited daily, and a bond with him was developed that is strong to this day. Now 21, he took me to Best Buy to purchase an Apple watch with a Fall Prevention feature and a phone.

At his request, I helped edit his answers to five complex questions required for his entrance to UCLA. In thanks, he surprised me with an invitation to Salsa by the Sea, agreeing to let me give him a lesson beforehand.

Community

I recently joined The Natural Healers Network of Santa Cruz, a group of holistic practitioners who meet to share ideas. I am not a practitioner but wholeheartedly believe in natural, holistic healing and essential oils, using only household and personal products without chemicals. My skin remains in good condition from using only pure cosmetics over the years. I’m often told that I look 20 years younger than my actual age.

Looking ahead to my funeral arrangements, with a contract with Benito & Azzaro, Pacific Garden Chapel, for a green burial plan, I had a follow-up appointment with Patricia Kimie, a preplanning specialist. She invited me to a lunchtime event hosted on the Sea Spirit Memorial, a 50-foot boat docked at the Santa Cruz Yacht harbor. Owned by locals Raina & Joe Stoops, their brochure states: “Not every funeral ends at a cemetery.” We cruised around the bay, enjoying food and drink, and since I have always loved the water, I fell in love with the idea of a memorial ash scattering aboard the Sea Spirit. Dr. Wallace J Nichols, the author of Blue Mind, states that many people around the world memorialize, grieve, and mourn lost loved ones near, in, on or under water.

Recently, my family asked me to stop driving and use alternative methods of transportation. I was confident in my driving since I don’t take medications or travel at night or on the freeway.

Then, almost on cue, another Note from the Universe arrived, stating, “June, sometimes, when it seems your wings have suddenly and unexpectedly been clipped, maybe, just maybe, there’s more to learn by staying where you are. You decide.”

Yes, I have decided, with the help of the good Lord, I’ll continue to enjoy my three loves: writing, dancing and family. And maybe even follow some nudges.

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