It is time, at this stage
To stop thinking of age !
We should just keep on working
At LIFE and NOT shirking
Our heartfelt endeavor
To always be clever !
So kick up your heels
And see how it feels
To grow younger while older
Filled with wonder and bolder !
You’ll see what it means
To have age esteem.
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®
Robyn Simon, 67, Blue Mountains of Australia
What is Age Esteem? If you’re talking about ladies, I think a woman should be confident to be herself at every stage of her life and especially as she matures to have an understanding of how she presents herself to the outside world based on her own belief in herself and not that dictated by fashion, culture or status. To realize that I can say from my life that the more mature you get, in actual fact in your own outrageous or quiet way the more outrageous you can be.
It’s an interesting word, esteem, and I think sometimes it is hard won. The situations around us put us down and make us feel small and I think this is where the community of other women can really support us. I think that Age Esteem can start at any stage of life from the youngest person to the most mature.
My greatest concern is the lack of physical flexibility and strength. I feel that because I’m taking care of supplementation and diet and I have relatively good genes with aging I’m intending not to lose my flexibility and strength , but it is one of my concerns. I’ve been crippled with arthritis and I’m looking after my eyesight but I would be very concerned to lose the faculty of eye sight. My concern would be to lose the facility to have continuing new adventures in life. I would not like to lose that. And yes, a practical concern and a very valid one for most women of the world is to have enough finances to maintain my life in a relatively comfortable manner, and especially to have enough finance to move and to travel a bit. I think that is very important to me.
Robyn’s Tips: Stay in the present as much as possible and do not dwell in the past. Do not live with regret mulling over negative things that may have happened in the past. Keep your mind in the present as much as possible.
I think that Spiritual development and training is very important to well being because if you train your mind not to sweat the small stuff. Sweating the small stuff is occupying your mind with criticism, hatred, or all things that can pull a person down.
It is very helpful for a woman to be sure that she has younger friends in her life. I think you need to have a large spectrum in associations. I actually went back to work in a spa industry that does massages and beauty treatments and facials and most of the young ladies who worked with me were between the ages of 19 and 25. That’s one of the best things I’ve done. I also love spending time with younger men. Some of the greatest actresses in the world made it very clear that you should have young men around you. Their energy, all they exude, their presence, I think it is helpful and important. And I think that a lot of European ladies have known that for a long time.
Also diet. There is a lot of knowledge out there now for how to look after your physical body that’s reasonable.
Robyn Simon, specialist in aromatic medicine, www.mydoterra.com/robynsimon
Middle Age can be any age
Between the start and final ending.
It’s when you can turn back the page
And learn the many ways for mending
Some of the follies of your youth;
You’ll know what’s best ‘tween right and wrong.
The middle’s when you glean the truth
And be merry like an ageless song!
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®
Love Me
Each of us wants to be loved. Love is necessary for our health and well-being. Scientific research with babies stresses the importance, indeed need, for love and attention in our early years. The research shows that love and touch directly impact a baby’s physical, emotional and mental development.
Yes, love is essential to us, and at all ages.
The most important love is our self love. I don’t mean narcissistic love, but genuine acceptance and love of who you are. Before you can truly love others you must love yourself.
You may cry out to others “love me”, but how can they find you lovable if you do not display and portray that love within yourself? This need to love ourself is crucial at every age and stage of life.
Two difficult periods for recognizing our self-worth and loving ourselves are during our adolescent years when we are defining who we are and what we want, and then again when we reach our retirement years and are redefining who we are and what we want.
May you love yourself at every age and stage of life, knowing that you are lovable and worthy of love.
May your love for others overflow into all areas of your life.
May you embrace all that comes your way with confidence and love.
May love fill your heart today and every day of the year.
I love you!
Bonnie Fatio
Celebrate Love!
What an ideal time to celebrate love! – Valentine’s Day.
Love is at the basis of all that is good. It is the foundation of peace and understanding. It is the fuel of making this world a better place for each of us.
Love is the force that gives Age Esteem its pizzazz.
We all strive to love and be loved at every age. The need for love is a continuum through life. Love may take on different dimensions as we experience different stages of life, but it remains a constant.
As we look towards this day of love, Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love. – Love of self, love of family, love of friends, love of those who we do not yet know and yes, even love for our enemies.
Celebrate love!
When is the last time you spent 12 hours non-stop and still had energy to spare? Yesterday? Ten years ago?
Our age esteem soars when we are full of energy and vitality. We feel good about ourselves when our energy seems boundless. We are happier and healthier.
On my hour drive home from playing with my two little granddaughters ages 2 and 4 for ten hours – after my early morning drive to their home – I was still bubbling with energy. I felt exuberant.
Why would I feel energized after such a long day? One reason is that I did not babysit. Instead, I played! We spent the whole day having fun, doing what we enjoyed. It was a powerful lesson on how to put more energy into your age esteem.
If you practice the above you will put more energy into your age esteem and feel happier and healthier. Enjoy!
Bonnie Fatio
Lessons of Autumn
Autumn is such a beautiful time of year for those of us who live in regions of the world that have four seasons. It is the season when trees change color as their leaves take on new hues and tones, bursting with yellow, red and orange. Even a gray day shimmers with color, reminding us that there is also brightness in dark moments.
When life seems difficult and less than happy, I look to the autumn leaves. They are in their fullest beauty during this third season of their lives. Rather than worry about disappearing with the onslaught of winter, they wave in the wind and share their glorious colors. This is their moment and they live it to the fullest in sunshine or shade. They celebrate today, knowing that Spring will bring a new generation of buds blossoming into leaves that will equally shine and shimmer next Fall.
We too can celebrate each day and shine through our own inner colors. That is where our true beauty comes from at every age.
Bonnie Fatio
In June of this year Dr. John Beard, Director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Department on Aging and Life Courses, announced the launch of the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities.
Research from 33 cities, confirmed the importance for older people of access to public transport, outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the need for appropriate housing, community support and health services and the need to foster the connections that allow older people to be active participants in society, to overcome ageism and to provide greater opportunities for civic participation and employment.
This is aligned with the vision of AgeEsteem of “a society where people of all ages are respected as contributing members of society”. I was privileged to meet with Dr. Beard following my talk on Age Esteem at the WHO headquarters in Geneva last month to discuss our common concerns around issues of aging. Very energizing and encouraging.
Bonnie Fatio
Planting sunflower seeds with Grandpa
Last year’s sunflowers are already enjoying a new beginning. Their precious seeds are being planted and a whole new cycle will begin. And thus they continue to live on and on.
Bonnie Fatio
