Beth Linguri, 74, USA

When I hear Age Esteem what comes to mind for me is to really love yourself and esteem yourself.  Give yourself honor for who you are and what you are, whatever wisdom you have gained in your lifetime, whatever age you are.  I have a number of chronological years.  I’m grateful for them.  I’ve had lots of experience, lots of wisdom, lots of things I have gained during that time to honor and to share.

The concern I have is physical aging.  Any physical manifestations that would get my way of doing what I believe and know that I want to do, have to do. – My mission so to speak.  My chosen mission for these next years is important.  I am concerned about any physical ailment that would stand in the way.  For example I did have severe arthritis in my knee joints which prohibited me from walking or standing as long as I wanted to, so I was able to solve that with surgery.  But anything else that might get in the way is a concern of mine.

Beth’s tips: There are two things that I do.  I pay close attention to my nutrition and I don’t take any medication, only food supplements, and I avoid stressful situations because I feel stress is an unnecessary aging factor.  I like to learn to deal with stress in a positive way.  The other thing is that I do a lot of activity.  I do Yoga.  I walk.  I do a lot of physical activity and mental activity to unify my body and soul and spirit and to allow my spirit to really direct my activities.

I would offer the following advice.   The first is to respect and love yourself.  It all begins with that.  Take care of yourself.  Nurture yourself.  Respect your time and your abilities and be true to yourself.   I think that is so important at whatever age you are.  I think the second thing to do is to live a life of service.  I think once you are true to yourself you know that you have much to give and much to offer, so you share and you find your niche in a life of service to others.
Provide a venu for people to meet in a community to share and to grow in their own true selves and their own spiritual nature.

Beth Linguri will be hosting a conference Aug. 19-21st near Geneva, Switzerland to nurture self and spirit.  www.ThePeaceConference.com

Bonnie Fatio

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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

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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

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A friend forwarded this beautiful, moving letter about life in Japan following the devastating natural disasters.  I have since discovered that it was written by Anne Thomas and published in ODE.  It is dated 14 March 2011

“Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very  blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is  even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend’s home. We share  supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in one  room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful.

During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes.  People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line  up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water  running in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their  jugs and buckets. It’s utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no  pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, “Oh, this is how it used to  be in the old days when everyone helped one another.” Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes.  Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often.

We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is  for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on.  But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No  one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition,  of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the  entire group.

There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in  some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the  sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out  walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.

Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night.  No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered  with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled.  The mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see  them silhouetted against the sky magnificently.

And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my  shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity  is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea  from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking  to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they  need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic,  no.

They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes,  for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls,  shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a  bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is  better off than others. Last night my friend’s husband came in from the  country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.

Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is  indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the  world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events  happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me  if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don’t. Rather, I  feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave  of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.

Thank you again for your care and Love of me.”

Many of you have contributed towards helping the people of Japan following the earthquakes and tsunami.  I thought this would be meaningful to you as a reflection on life and age esteem.

Bonnie Fatio

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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

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Spring is a time of rebirth and new beginnings.

Spring offers us a message of renewal.  It is the time of year when ice melts and trees and flowers begin to bud with the promise of glorious blooms in the Northern Hemisphere.

This is also an ideal time for each of us to review our own areas for renewal and ask some powerful questions regarding our life.

Offer yourself time to review and renew by asking yourself the following questions.

• What desires and dreams have you been incubating during these fallow months of winter?
• Which of these do you want to nourish and grow?
• How can you help your dreams bloom into their full reality?

It is never too late to start something new.  No matter what your age. – Now is the time!

Bonnie Fatio

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Do the sunshine and colors of Spring put a spring into your step?

Do you sometimes feel joy well up within you when you see the first  buds bursting on the trees, smell the odors of Spring or hear the birds chirping happily?   I do.  In fact I have caught myself  singing or  laughing out loud from the pure happiness of rediscovering Spring in the air.  It is as though the world is coming back to life after the dreary days of Winter and all God’s creatures share the pleasure.

Spring into Spring with enthusiasm and joy.  Both are there for the taking – and are free.  Simply meet nature head on.

• Walk among the trees.
• Listen to the chorus of birds.
• Take a handful of earth and feel it between your fingers.
• Savor the smells of flowers and buds.
• Plant seeds and bulbs for your own garden or window boxes.

Nourish your soul and age esteem with the joy of the season.  Spring into Spring!

Bonnie Fatio

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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

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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

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Daily Age Esteem

When it is Monday,
Make it the one day
You haven’t a worry or care.

When it is Tuesday,
Chase away Bluesday
And do all the things that you dare.

When it is Wednesday,
Time for amends day
And tend to each problem’s repair.

When it is Thursday
(If it’s your worst day)
Repolish and shine away glare.

When it is Friday,
Make it a Try day
By choosing bright clothing to wear.

When it is Saturday,
(Mind over matter day)
Think proudly, with spirit to spare.

When it is Sunday
Have a nice fun day
Make Age Esteem your daily fare!

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem

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