A 100 year old doctor is still delivering babies in Georgia, USA.  He has delivered over 16,000 babies since 1947 when he began his practice.  It seems that everywhere he goes he is greeted by someone who he helped bring into the world.

What is his secret?  Being passionate about what you do!

Other people who have celebrated 100 years of living have shared the same important age-esteem traits.

• Purpose, meaningful activities
• Contact with others of diverse ages
• Keep moving
• Continue to learn and to exercise their mind
• Positive attitude

Bonnie A Major Birthday, In The News 100 year old, age-esteem, diverse ages, positive attitude

It’s easy to distinguish that the rugby player on the right is Matt Damon, but who is he shaking hands with?  Is that Nelson Mandela or Morgan Freeman?

Don’t  miss the film Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood.  Morgan Freeman is exceptional in the role of Nelson Mandela.  Freeman had known for a long time that he would some day play the role of Mandela.   When Nelson Mandela’s autobiography was published in 1995, Mandela was asked who he thought could play him on screen.  He cited the name of Morgan Freeman.

In a recent interview in Switzerland published in Migros Magazine, his interviewer said, “Mandela is a wise man; he’s 91 years old.  You are also getting older and therefore also becoming wise?”   Freeman’s response was, “Careful.  I am getting older, but I am not becoming old.”

Age is an attitude.  Nelson Mandela, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood share the fact that they are getting older – as are we!  They also share age-esteem with a positive attitude toward age that will keep them from ever becoming “old”.

Bonnie Fatio, AgeEsteem

Bonnie AgeEsteemers, Au Cinema age-esteem, Clint Eastwood, Invictus, Morgan Freeman, Nelson Mandela, positive attitude

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

Mix with positive people: People we associate with influence how we feel about ourselves and about life in general.

• Make a personal audit of the people you see regularly. What do you admire about them? What sides of your personality do they bring out? Do they encourage you? Do you learn from them?
• Eliminate negative people from your inner circle. Move away from anyone who does not positively influence you or who stresses faults rather than qualities.
• If you must be with negative people at work, be polite but don’t let them into your inner circle.
• Seek people who have positive, « can do » attitudes. Spend your time with these positive thinkers.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age inner circle, positive attitude, positive people, positively influence

Even if your first reaction to “Just be happy” is “Bah, Hum Bug”, give yourself a chance. Multiple research shows that people who have a positive attitude and are optimistic live happier, healthier lives. Test these AgeEsteem techniques for finding happiness at every age.

Smile: Did you know that it’s impossible to be depressed when you smile and look up?

• If you’re feeling low, smile! Smiling actually makes you feel happier.
• Need help? Put a pencil horizontally across the front of your mouth. It forces the edges of your mouth up, making you feel better. Look at yourself in the mirror. Who knows? You may really smile!
• Look up! Do this when you are caught in traffic, too. Rather than stress out, look up. You will feel better – and there is a whole new world up there to discover.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age depressed, feel better, happiness, optimistic, positive attitude, smile

Cultivate a positive attitude. People with age-esteem are happy, optimistic and share a positive attitude. The glass is always half full.

• Catch people doing good. Make a game of finding the qualities in people around you. Once you focus on the positives you’ll find even more.
• Keep a positive talk diary. Become conscious of what you say to yourself in thoughts and words spoken out loud. Each time you catch yourself saying something negative like « I can never remember names », change it into a positive, « I can remember every name I set my mind to ». Repeat the positive statement out loud. Do this regularly so it becomes second nature.

As it becomes second nature for you to seek positives, you’ll be amazed at the positive impact it has on all aspects of your life. Your AgeEsteem life force will draw more positive people and events to you!

Bonnie For the Soul feeling good, life force, positive attitude, qualities, soul

The closest synonym for the word soul as it relates to AgeEsteem is « life force »: impulse of life, vital spirit, life essence. AgeEsteem is what keeps that inner force alive. It’s a way of life.

Simply put, AgeEsteem is feeling good about yourself at the age you are today, every day. It’s opening your life force to opportunities to develop your potential at every age. AgeEsteem is tuning into your life force for a positive approach to living.

Begin to develop your AgeEsteem life force.

Bonnie For the Soul feeling good, life force, opportunities, positive attitude, soul