Our founder and treasured beacon on staff, Catherine Nicholas, turned 90 in January, and was asked to offer nuggets of wisdom from her vantage point.
The first words she offered were the same words her father, Greek in origin, offered to her some 80 years ago. “Napezi to Matisou,” which means, “Your eye should be playing.” Catherine interprets this idea as a life philosophy of staying aware, observant, engaged, and involved. Here are the ways she has stayed in motion over her 90 years…
- Playing stoopball and stickball back in the day on the streets of the Bronx, and then throughout adulthood, playing tennis, yoga, and pilates
- Traveling all over the world by plane, train, boat, and automobile to explore foreign destinations and cultures
- By reaching toward people, taking them in emotionally and intellectually, guiding, helping, but not directing, and going toward others, not waiting for them to arrive at your doorstep
- Attending cultural events and institutions – staying vibrant by soaking in the arts
- Even as one ages, and a tendency seems to be to stay home and hibernate, “keeping her eyes playing” – engaging in the world and in her favorite things in whatever ways possible
- Valuing who is still present in life. Reaching 90 means losing loved ones along the way. Staying present and taking joy in those still with you is vitally important
We are so fortunate to have Catherine as our sage. Happy 90th birthday, Catherine!
