The Best Days For Living

If you esteem others’ age, and your own,

Your Life’s meaning will have gracefully grown!

You will make every moment a specialty feat

And you’ll take time to froment each day as a treat.

Why linger on aging?  Think, it’s bound to become.

The best days for Living, for Loving, for fun!

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem.

YES!

All you need to do is think ahead;
Turn your thoughts away from gloom and dread.
Every time you rise up out of bed,
Follow Age Esteem’s path with every tread.
Don’t say “No, I can’t”, say “YES, I will!” instead.

Written by Alexandra Taylor after the chapter “Personal Talk” in the book
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

Age Esteem

A Poem
is at home
with in your heart.

A Verse
(even terse)
is an art.

A Rhyme,
every time,
would be smart.

Age Esteem
is to deem (like a dream)
a good start!

Written by Alexandra Taylor after reading
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

Growing Old

Why is it that one seems to think
That growing old is past the brink,
And that the rest is all down hill
Without a way to win one’s will?
Age Esteem will return one’s pride
And put a ZIP into your stride
So each day try to do your best:
Aim for Perfection, and with Zest!

Written by Alexandra Taylor after the chapter “Adding Pizzazz To Age” in the book
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

A Look At Age

There are so many ways to look at old age,
Lucky is the one who can still turn the page
And start a new day with a warmhearted smile
Meeting each challenge with fortitude and style.
Every new hardship (and there are reams!)
Can be conquered when you show Age Esteem.

Written by Alexandra Taylor after the chapter “Adding Pizzazz To Age” in the book
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

Bonnie Fatio and Kristin Engvig during Win Conference drumming

Imagine 700 women coordinating their drumming beats for harmonious rhythm and you have an idea of the power of women of all ages working together towards one common goal.  – Moving to the same beat.

This was an exercise in the closing ceremony of the 2010 WIN Conference in Paris, where I was honored to speak.  Sewa Beats brought in 700 African drums and coordinated the movement and sounds, unifying us in a unique and powerful experience.  Each of us contributed to the amazing sound.  Age, physical appearance, mobility, intelligence, previous musical experience, profession and ethnic background were not factors in our success.  It was the movement of working together to the same beat!  And we did it with laughter and energy!

Drumming provided a wonderful example of intergenerational collaboration, and an exercise in age esteem.  There are times when we bring unique talents, experience and point of view to a new activity and group of people because of our age.  We bring our uniqueness to complement the uniqueness of others.  There are other moments, such as the drumming, when the intergenerational aspect is one of  blending and equalizing.  We each bring our unique gifts and experience but it is used to make a common sound and to move to the same beat for the desired result.  Age esteem helps us have confidence to know when to complement and when to blend.

Bonnie Fatio

Live Each Minute!

Every single minute counts

As the years begin to mount,

Live each day as if the last,

Profit now until it’s past.

Written by Alexandra Taylor after the chapter “Say It Now” in the book
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

This seems to be a month of action!  Not only is this the month of March, making you think of rhythmic steps and stomping feet. – It is also the month when Spring begins.

Rhythmic steps, stomping feet moving forward.  Add to this the leap and bounce of an upward spring.  This is clearly a month to move onward and upward with your age esteem.

Are you involved in regular physical activity that keeps you energized?  Physical exercise not only stimulates your body; it also keeps your mind alive.  Both increase your age esteem.

• Treat yourself to a daily walk.  Walking is one of the best exercises for your total well being, and the easiest.
• Join an aqua gym exercise class.  Water exercises are excellent and more gentle on your joints.
• Dance!  Research proves it to be one of the finest exercises for balance as well as being fun.  Dance to music at home or join a formal class.  Both are great options.
• Play with children.  Children seem to be constantly on the move.  You get exercise without even realizing it. – And it keeps your own inner child alive!
• Ride a bicycle.  Best is to ride outside on bicycle paths, but if this is not possible as stationary bike will do.  With the new outdoor electric bicycles, today you can ride up steep grades without hurting your joints.

Whatever you choose for physical action this is the month to commit to it.  Your overall health and age esteem will thank you.  When we feel good physically we are happier, healthier and more confident.

Bonnie Fatio

Mirror Of Life

Mirror, Mirror on my wall,
Is who I see just part, or all?
Am I reflected in my acts?
Am I part fiction? – Or just facts?
Will I accept when needers call?
Can I be GREAT? – Not big nor small.
Mirror, Mirror of my Life,
Help me to help all those in strife,
And when I watch you look at me
I’ll emanate inner beauty.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem

Blogs Like Frogs

These blogs are made for ruminations

Like frogs, they jump to all occasions

And leap into your deepest dreams

Of how to practice Age Esteem.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem