Lisa Lundy (50 over 50 Vol. 2)
One of my favorite images of Lisa from our photo session together.
Fear—the natural, instinctive response to what we perceive as danger. It served our ancestors well with regard to physical survival.
In current times, it’s that annoying voice in your head that questions all kinds of things from self-worth to to being judged to not feeling like “enough.” The same fear, both past and present, threatens our sense of belonging and acceptance.
How does fear look when it comes to a photo shoot?
First is vulnerability— It’s hard to sit in front of a camera, share a personal story, or accept a compliment because it means you’re SEEN — and that can feel vulnerable.
Perhaps telling yourself you’re ‘not ready’ might translate to ‘not worthy’.
What if you begin to see yourself differently after your photoshoot? What if you recognize something within yourself you’ve been denying? Now what?
At 54, Lisa was encouraged to participate in a photo shoot by family and a few friends, but she was apprehensive. “The fear of being photographed was my biggest obstacle. I was worried about my hair, outfit choices, and makeup. I was very nervous before I saw my photographs. My fear almost kept me from going to the reveal but I had to tell myself to continue to trust the process and see that process through.
“Life is constantly changing and it is good to reset and refresh to stay sharp for personal growth.”
In the end, I am very grateful for this experience,” she said. “I felt it was necessary to step out of my comfort zone and be open to something new. I’m pretty sure I would have never taken this chance without everyone’s encouragement and I am grateful to be thought of by so many. I learned that it is okay to step out of the shadows and enjoy being seen. If I had to explain how my experience made me feel in three words it would be courageous, attractive and empowered.
Telling my story was another factor that caused me to rethink taking part in this experience. See, in telling my story I felt I would be throwing a few people in my life under the bus, and that gave me an uneasy feeling. While those individuals made my life more challenging than it should have been, maybe that was the whole point. Maybe those people and the challenges were the road blocks necessary to make me stronger and to keep me moving forward. I have used a lot from my past to make a difference in the lives of others around me. I have endured many forms of abuse at the hands of trusted individuals—people who were supposed to protect me, yet they chose to cause harm instead. I was raised in a generation where feelings were not acknowledged or dealt with properly and I learned to remain quiet when it came to emotions and how something made me feel. As a result, a lot of hurt and pain was never addressed. It has made me fiercely protective of those around me,” Lisa stated.
Lisa is a woman of extraordinary kindness, strength, and selflessness. She has dedicated her life to raising her two godchildren, Kahlia and Kamari, ensuring they have the love, guidance, and encouragement needed to thrive. When asked what makes Lisa great, others reply, ‘She’s loving, encouraging, and selfless.’ These words perfectly capture the heart of who she is—a woman who gives endlessly to others without seeking recognition. Lisa embodies the true spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a home and a community where everyone feels valued and supported. She works tirelessly to instill confidence in those around her, proving that every woman has something meaningful to contribute. Her story is one of quiet strength and profound impact, demonstrating how one person’s love and dedication can change lives.
I asked Lisa what she values more today than yesterday.
“The absolute best things about this age are realizing how important the connections with my immediate family are to me. I always look forward to phone calls and family gatherings. I also have the honor of raising my goddaughters. They bring so much joy to my life. My faith in God is also stronger now than when I was younger.
The biggest myth about being over 50 is the fear of starting over. It’s not as bad as most people think though. Life is constantly changing and it is good to reset and refresh to stay sharp for personal growth,” Lisa mentioned. “I see people who are 50 and beyond doing all kinds of interesting things in the media. Gen X people are pretty much everywhere dancing, being daredevils, and experiencing life in so many creative ways. I feel very proud to be a member of the greatest generation ever!”
What would you tell your 20 year old self:
-You are free to choose whatever-you want to be
-Leaving is not a sign of betrayal so get on that plane and see what’s out there
-Finding happiness is not selfish
-Stay faithful and always give thanks to God