Clint Eastwood

Isn’t it refreshing to see that this month’s top films include veteran actresses and actors? – And that they are starring in roles featuring their mature ages?

In these “Must See Films” we find Meryll Streep (60), Morgan Freeman (73),  Alec Baldwin (52), Steve Martin (65), with Colin Firth (50), and George Clooney who at 49 is bringing maturity to his charm.   Will he manage to cultivate the same charm that Clint Eastwood oozes at 80?

It takes AgeEsteem on the part of these icons of cinema to “act their age” on the screen, and to become real role models for us.  Thank you!

Bonnie AgeEsteemers, Au Cinema, Entertainment & Fun AgeEsteem, Alex Baldwin, Clint Eastwood, Colin Firth, films, George Clooney, Meryll Streep, Morgan Freeman, role models, Steve Martin

AgeEsteem touches people of ALL ages.

When a friend’s son was about to turn 16, he went through a terrible stage of insecurity.  He was convinced that no one liked him.  He didn’t feel a part of his peer group.  He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do or that he was even good at anything.

My reaction was to purchase a variety of cards and rummage through drawers at home to find more.  The end result was a real mix of styles and messages.  I then gave a stamped envelope and card to multiple friends and colleagues asking them to simply address the card in their own handwriting and to sign it with just their first name, or one that they thought would be fun to find on a card.  The outcome was a flood of 15 birthday cards.

A few weeks later I bumped into his mother and asked how her son’s birthday had turned out.  She explained it had gone very well.   Her son had received lots of cards, some from people he thought he knew; others he was less sure about.  He figured one of the girls at school whom he likes must have spread the word about his birthday.  His mother said that it had cut through his depressive mood to know friends cared.  He was feeling better about himself.

Did I ever let on that I was responsible?  Absolutely not!  This is one time when the mystery had to be lasting.

There are times when it is effective to remain anonymous, but not always.  It is for you to decide.

AgeEsteem is loving yourself at the age you are today so you can share love with others, either anonymously or openly.

Bonnie Across-generations, Life Stages - Ages 16, AgeEsteem, all ages, birthday cards, love, secret admirer

What a wonderful invention Valentine’s Day is!

It nudges us with encouragement  to express love.  On the 14th of February we step out of our regular routine to remind friends and family that we love them.  They are important to us.

Lacy cards with poems, bouquets of red roses, candies that say Be My Valentine, and heart shaped boxes filled with chocolates are just some of the ways we express our feelings to tell  people they’re special.

Letting others know that you are thinking of them and that you care is healthy for your AgeEsteem.  You focus on

• People who you love of all ages
• The blessings of friends and family
• Reaching out to others
• Renewing and strengthening contacts
• Creating or finding the right message
• Celebrating happiness

Bonnie Holidays AgeEsteem, love, reaching out, Valentine's Day

Meryl Streep

It’s so refreshing to have an actress who is not afraid to act her age.   Meryl Streep is an icon of AgeEsteem.  She glows from the inside, plays roles that make her seem real rather than beautiful (though beautiful she is!), appears in public looking like someone we would like to meet and sit down for coffee and laugh with rather than Ms Perfection Celebrity.   Her laughter alone captures your heart.

In the film It’s Complicated, she plays the role of a woman who has been left for a younger woman only to have her former husband fall in love with her once again ten years later.   She doesn’t try to dress or act younger, but flaunts her mature femininity and sexuality that is so attractive and appealing.  Somehow we almost feel sorry for her old husband who is unable to keep up with his younger wife and her son.

Great AgeEsteem lessons come out of It’s Complicated :

• If life is complicated, it is because we make it so.
• When we are blind sided by circumstances we gather our own internal forces and move forward.
• You are not the same person today that you were yesterday.
• Social life with friends and family is important.
• We are responsible for our own actions.
• Humor is delicious and healing.
• Having a purpose and loving what we do keeps us focused on positives.
• Values need to be taken seriously.
• Love is real at all ages.

Bonnie AgeEsteemers, Au Cinema AgeEsteem, It's Complicated, mature femininity, Meryl Streep, sexuality

What a bummer to be settled into your seat for a trans-Atlantic flight only to learn that due to engine trouble you are headed back to the gate. – And you must remain aboard  during  two hours of mechanical repairs!  That’s what just happened to us on our return flight to Europe.

And yet, what ended up as a four hour delay also turned out to be an enlightening experience.

Not being one to sit quietly, I stood in the aisle and began chatting with  people.   I even interviewed several on what the term AgeEsteem meant to them as they heard it for the first time.  It’s a great icebreaker as well as an interesting source of information.

These spontaneous conversations also highlighted  the dedication and concern ordinary people have for others.  So much goodness around us.  Among the people I spoke with were two women on their way to Uganda for two weeks to work in a project with children who are HIV positive.  One was a student in International Studies for whom it would be her first experience in Africa.  It was a second trip to the project for the other woman, a banker using her vacation to work at the project.  Her first trip working with these children had changed her whole outlook, giving her a new perspective.on life.  She was eager to return.

Another very special conversation was with a Sister en route « home » to Tanzania where she heads an orphanage for children with Leprosy.  Leprosy is still a very real disease in many parts of the world and the work of this Sister with children and parents who live with Leprosy daily is changing lives and giving hope.

When the announcement came to return to our seats for take-off I was actually disappointed.  It was so inspiring to exchange experiences and life philosophies with these people.  Especially knowing within me that whether or not we ever see each other again, we have each received a gift. – The gift of sharing dreams of a better world.

Bonnie For the Soul AgeEsteem, dreams, enlightening, HIV, Leprosy, Tanzania, Uganda

My wish for you at every age is to

• Live each day fully.
• Stretch your body, mind and spirit.
• Embrace new experiences.
• Share your talents with others of all ages.
• Learn something new each day.
• Celebrate frequently.
• Seek the positive in each person and experience.
• Give thanks for the blessings of your life.
• Meet new challenges with a sense of adventure.
• Greet each new day with anticipation and zest.
• Become a living model of AgeEsteem for those who meet you!

Bonnie Across-generations, Holidays adventure, AgeEsteem, celebrate, New Year, zest

One of my favorite card over the holidays is copied below.  – Not the message on the card, but the message of the sender.

Why is it a favorite?  Because the words of June, the friend who wrote it, express how she puts her AgeEsteem to daily use via her

• acceptance of her present health,
• positive attitude,
• gratitude for what she has,
• social contact with others despite not getting out and about,
• interest in the lives of others and what is happening,
• continued purpose and contribution to others.

Precious Ones,

I hope all is well with you and your family and that you will be together for a Happy Festive Christmas…

Things here are ok.  I’m having to use the walker all the time to get around and don’t go out, only to the doctors.  My son and his wife were here the first of Nov. and took me shopping for necessities but that’s it.  I’m just happy I’m here where there are people and I have a nice warm room and plenty to eat, and at 93 that is a lot – Especially when I think of how many older people aren’t warm or have enough to eat.

I finally finished the 60 Hats of Love, (for Cancer patients) and 80 ski caps (for the needy) – my fingers don’t do quite as good as they did – and gave them all away – know they will keep some heads warm even if winter is cold…

June is a wonderful example of AgeEsteem for all ages.

Bonnie AgeEsteemers, Happiness at Every Age AgeEsteem, Christmas, contribution, gratitude, positive attitude

Home Alone

Are you alone for the holidays?  It happens more frequently to us as we get older.  Loved ones have died.  Family is far away.

There are two ways to look at being home alone for the holidays.  First is to feel alone and lonely.  If that is your case, then take control.  Tune into your AgeEsteem.  Shake out of your lonliness by inviting others in.

• Attend holiday programs and services.  Many offer a pick-up service.  Or invite a friend who drives to accompany you.
• Invite other singles to your home for some holiday cheer.  Some may feel as lonely as you.
• Organize an event with neighborhood children.  It can be as simple as hot chocolate and a story.  Parents will be pleased to have some free time for their own preparations.
• Volunteer in a soup kitchen or shelter.
• Dress up as Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus and visit neighbors to deliver homemade cookies.

The second way to look at being home alone for the holidays is to see it as being with yourself.  You are in your own company and able to enjoy the time by yourself.  Plan activities that relate to the holidays.

• Watch The Christmas Story.
• Listen to your favorite holiday music.
• Get out your photo albums and renew the joys of past holidays.
• Begin a journal of happy memories of holidays past.
• Make yourself a special meal and savor it.

Being home alone can be peaceful, joyous and loving.   Let your AgeEsteem attitude shine through and enjoy!

Bonnie For the Soul, Holidays AgeEsteem, attitude, home alone, lonely, own company, with yourself

It is always lovely to receive a package to unwrap with anticipation of discovery.

The greatest gifts are those that come from the heart and the gift of self.  Are you wondering what to offer someone?  Offer yourself!

• Offer your time to do something with your children or grandchildren that they are dreaming to do with you; take a half day vacation.
• Offer to teach a friend how to use all of the bells and whistles on their mobile phone.
• Offer a box of homemade goodies.
• Offer to help your partner create a winter garden.
• Offer a page of special photos.

By offering your time and talents you also offer yourself several keys to AgeEsteem: purpose, social contact, learning something new, celebrating with people of other generations…

Bonnie Holidays AgeEsteem, gift of self, grandchildren, greatest gift

Are You Web-Savvy?

About a decade ago one of the major internet suppliers had an ad showing three grey haired people looking at a computer screen in awe.  The message was that anyone can learn the internet.  It brought a smile to the people who viewed it.  Who would expect older people to use the internet?  After all, it was modern technology!

According to an article on eMarketer last month, data from the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) shows that seniors were more likely than any other age group to conduct e-commerce activities today.  

Children born today are familiar with computers in the same way that their parents were familiar with the television controls.

An important key to AgeEsteem is to keep up with modern technology and to continue to learn something new daily.  The internet offers an opportunity for both of these.

Not yet Web-Savvy?  Why not consider these ideas to strengthen your AgeEsteem and your ability with the web.

1. Investigate classes at the community center or local library.  It can be fun to learn with others.
2. Solicite the help of a grandchild or a neighborhood youth to teach you the ins and outs of the internet.  It will help build their confidence (and AgeEsteem!) to do this with you and will create a new dimension to your relationship.
3. Hire a private tutor or learn the basics on your own using one of the multitude of books available.  Once you have the basics you can use on-line tutorials to learn more.

Bonnie Across-generations, In The News AgeEsteem, CTAM, e-commerce, eMarketer, technology