Miriam Blank’s story begins in the high Sierra Madre mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, where her childhood was shaped by her parents’ mission and literary work. “Those early years were filled with adventures,” she says, her voice warm with memory. “My love of wild places and a spirit of curiosity has remained with me ever since.”


Cultivating


Life, Together


T


oday, Miriam is in her seventh decade of life. Tough she has experienced profound changes, most notably, the gradual loss


of her eyesight to Retinitis Pigmentosa, she continues to serve as a counselor, life coach, and spiritual director, finding deep purpose in walking alongside others through their own life transitions.


Te process of losing her sight, she reflects, invited a deeper shift within her. “Tere came a point when I knew I had to move more slowly, more intentionally. Tat’s when I adopted the Navy SEALS motto: ‘Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.’ It sounds counterintuitive, but slowing down has brought me more clarity and presence than rushing ever did.”


Tis new rhythm, she shares, has enhanced not only her personal life but her work as well. “When I slowed down, I could hear better—hear what someone’s really saying. I’ve become more attuned to the subtleties in a conversation, the unspoken things.”


Miriam’s approach to aging mirrors this same mindset. “Tere’s a richness that comes when we allow ourselves to live at the pace of our own breath. And I’ve learned that community plays a big part in that.”


Tat desire for connection and intentional planning led Miriam to become a member of Friends LifeCare. Tough she doesn’t dwell on the technical details of the program, she speaks highly of its philosophy. “What drew me in was the people. I sensed a shared value, that less can truly be more. Tat planning ahead isn’t about control, it’s about peace of mind.”


Each year, she meets with a Care Coordinator to reflect on her health, habits, and home environment. “It’s not dramatic. But it’s comforting,” she says. “Just having those conversations keeps me mindful.”


Still, Miriam states that growth isn’t a checkbox. It’s a lifelong unfolding. “Tere’s no finish line in this kind of work,” she says. “Adapting to change, embracing slowness, learning to live with intention, that’s a continuous journey.”


Her encouragement for others? Stay open. Stay grounded.


“Pay attention to what matters. Surround yourself with people who support that. And don’t be afraid to slow down; it might be the best thing you ever do.”


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2025 • 17


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