Celebrating Milestones: How Ayurveda is Guiding My Journey

Graduating as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, and Embracing Life’s New Chapter with Balance and Wisdom

Namaste and welcome to issue #13 of my newsletter where I share ancient Ayurvedic principles and make them relevant to modern life.

October is my birthday and graduation month! Two momentous events happening on the same day. The universe clearly has a sense of humor, or maybe it’s just efficient. I’ll take it as a cosmic nudge that something new is brewing.

I never planned this exact alignment but when your birthday and professional graduation land on the same day, how do you not see it as some kind of sign? It feels like one of those moments where everything is coming full circle—like I’m finally walking the path I was meant to. Cue the symbolic background music.

Photo by Sofiya Levchenko on Unsplash

How old ARE you going to be (you may or may not be asking)?

I’ll be 55. While 55 isn't traditionally celebrated as a major milestone age like 50 or 60, it actually holds significant meaning for me. It is a midpoint between those big markers. It’s a time for reflection, self-assessment, and perhaps a chance to reorient life goals. It seems time to embrace a deeper sense of purpose and self-awareness.

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This past year has been a whirlwind of studying, assignments, practice, and countless moments that were both confusing and enlightening. Becoming a newly minted Ayurvedic Health Counselor feels like stepping into a role I’ve unknowingly been preparing for all along—not just through my academic study of Ayurveda, but also through my years in the food industry and my experience in teaching and helping others. It’s as if every path I’ve walked has led me to this moment.

While I may be receiving a new certification, the real learning is just beginning. Ayurveda seems to be slowly rewiring the way I view the world—especially when it comes to food, health, and balance.

Life is nothing but a balancing act

Here’s to a new year and new beginnings. I’m both incredibly excited and slightly terrified—but in the best possible way. Because if Ayurveda has taught me anything, it’s that balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing where you are, working with what you’ve got, and knowing that, yes, the universe really does have your back. And sometimes, it throws you a pretty perfect birthday present in the form of new adventures.

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Life is cyclical. Just like the seasons, we’re constantly evolving, shedding old layers, and stepping into something new—whether we’re ready or not. Speaking of seasons, it seems I’m approaching a pretty significant one in my own life.

According to Ayurveda, there are three stages of life: Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. And being 55, I’m officially on the road to the final one—Vata. I may not be in the Vata stage of life yet but I can certainly see it in the horizon.

What is the Vata Stage of Life?

The Vata stage of life (not to be confused by the Vata dosha) is often described as the time of wisdom, creativity, and, well, unpredictability. It’s where things can get a little … windy, both literally and metaphorically. And while part of me is thinking, "Bring on the wisdom and creativity, I’m ready," another part is quietly freaking out.

But here’s the thing about Vata—just like the season of autumn, it’s a time to let go of what no longer serves you, to pare down to the essentials, and to start living with a bit more spaciousness. Ayurveda teaches us that it’s all about balance—making sure we don’t get too swept away by the winds of change, but instead find grounding practices, routines, and yes, a bit of humor along the way.

So here I am, standing at the crossroads of this new stage of life, holding onto the lessons of the Kapha and Pitta stages that got me here, and trying to embrace the wisdom of the Vata years ahead. If nothing else, I’m in good company—people who’ve navigated this path before, the changing seasons, and Ayurveda itself, which reminds me that it’s all part of the journey.

Thank you for being here. I’d love to hear from you about what topics around Ayurvedic principles interest you most, dear reader. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or message me directly—I truly value your input.

Namaste!

Note: For a better understanding of some of the terms used — like Vata, Pitta, Kapha, please refer to the following:

Preliminary Explorations into Ayurveda