Life is consistently unpredictable * Julie Brown

How can we navigate midlife in a positive way? By doing it together. We can all learn from each other in this phase of transition. Everyone has similar doubts and dilemmas in their third quarter. In this series, we talk to inspiring Third Quarter lovers on how they navigate it. Today we talk to Julie Brown (61).

Let me introduce you to Julie Brown

Julie Brown claims she still views the world like a teenager, although she would not want the body of a teenager. Her life has been marked with big transitions, born and growing up in the US, flying around the world as a flight attendant, moving to Belgium 27 years ago.

That also came with a career switch to becoming an entrepreneur, building 'Polar Experience', with the love of her life Dixie Dansercoer, bringing them on many adventures from the North to the South pole. We met when Jo joined Dixie on several of those expeditions. Next to arranging all practicalities, Julie handled communications with the loved ones back home in her daily mail update full of fun facts and humour.

I discovered then she is a born storyteller, no wonder she went on to write several books.

But polar expeditions come with risks. And nature can be harsh.

Julie is now in her 4th year of learning to transition into widowhood since she lost Dixie on the ice. With a daughter in college and 3 grown up children plus 2 grandchildren from their blended family, transitions are a big part of her life.

Losing a loved one is a very special and painful transition. How do you navigate it to find your new self?

Changes and transitions pepper every phase of life. There is a dangerous myth that the spectrum of our existence is linear. There is nothing static about it.

I am living a dynamic moment in a consistently unpredictable life.

There's no single recipe to navigate life's transitions, but I tried to share some lessons learned along my life's journey in my new book 'Discover your pivot' (available in English & Dutch).

What do you like about growing older?

Each year has its positive attributes and challenging struggles. As anyone, I have anxious moments, and change comes with taking big decisions. But I feel I am equipped with the tools I need to keep going, even after losing Dixie.

I love the autonomy that comes with this age. Experience and mindfulness guide everything I do.

I have yet to wish to go back in time nor have I ever dreaded a new birthday.

Each morning, I awaken in gratitude. I genuinely feel fortunate to be here and look forward to every new day and what it has to bring.

A daily morning gratitude meditation is a ritual I picked up from a buddhist monk in San Francisco 30 years ago. It helps me to focus on the present moment as much as I can.

How do you feel about work at this life stage?

Single parenting is a natural driving force, yet I also enjoy the creative challenges of entrepreneurship.

At a time when many of my friends are beginning to scale back in their professional activities, I'm ramping up in relation to my current income needs and intriguing opportunities.

Something I have always done and intend to keep doing professionally is writing. There's a vulnerable purity to it. I love the research and interviews that are part of the process of a new book and I equally have fun bringing a book to life during my keynotes and workshops.

Feedback from a live audience is magical. It adds meaning to a book.

What are your top tips for positive aging?

• Consistency. Move your beautiful body and marvel at its design.

• Balance. Rest is as important as movement.

• Enjoyment. Bliss is a powerful energy boost.

But the best advice for a positive third quarter is very simple.

Just show up and stay open to wonder .

I am personally looking forward to each new discovery and each new opportunity to learn and grow.

What are you most looking forward to in your third quarter?

I will continue to put myself "out there" by contributing, not absorbing.

Ahimsa - first do no harm - will continue to be a guiding principle in my actions.

I sense that my children and grand children will naturally offer me forward thinking experiences and their unconditional love is already such a blessing. I want to share as much as I can with them and encourage them to connect with the broader world around them.

Julie Brown by Dominique Stulens