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!

The time between 2009 and 2010 is a split second, yet it announces  an end to a year and the beginning of a new decade.

Everything is possible in this new decade.  It is for us to explore, define and act.    It is interesting to recognize that what we wish for today is very different from what we wished for ten, twenty or more years ago.  As the world evolves, so do we.  As we age and mature, so do our desires and dreams.  But it remains up to us to drive our dreams to fruition.

What better time to reflect on your accomplishments of this past year and to dream of what you wish for during this new year and decade.

Write these desires and dreams down on a sheet of paper today.  Make them as honest as possible, not worrying about “how” they might evolve.  For the moment simply define them and write them down.  Save this paper where you can read it every few months.  The simple act of writing your desires and dreams helps you to make them happen.

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!

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…

 To all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving this month, today, and every day,

Does it matter what age you are when you buy your first home? Bonnie tells all in the New York Daily News.

Bonnie Lou Fatio says age doesn’t matter when buying your first house. Her new book, Age Esteem, urges people of upper and lower ages to do what feels right. With baby boomers moving into their twilight years and the housing market in a bit of rut, whether people will rent or own as they age has become a crucial factor in what will get built. Fatio thinks a recent increase in first-time homebuyers in their 60s may have to do with people more concerned with making the dream of owning a home come true rather than their time in life. “Age should have absolutely nothing to do with the decision to own a home,” says Fatio. “If a 21-year-old wants to buy a house, they should make things in their life happen to reach that goal. I want this book to help people overcome the fear of doing anything that is not considered ‘age-appropriate.’ I hate that term.” To purchase the book or learn more, go to www.ageesteem.com

Why do women in their early 30s or even late 20s nowadays worry so much about getting older? That’s the question Betty Confidential’s Editors posed to AgeEsteem’s Bonnie Lou Fatio.

Want to know what she said? You can read the article here.

On a recent visit to Fox News, Bonnie was live on “The Strategy Room” with veteran broadcaster, Uma Pemmaraju. Bonnie discussed the issues of aging and how to be happy at the age you are now, every day! Lets us know what you think!

Watch the challenges involved with getting older from Fox News.