The Best Use of Your Time

There is no need to rhyme

Nor to dance, nor to sing;

The BEST use of your time

And to get in the swing

Of your AGE, is to be

Complete and true to

The ONE who all can see:

The most unique YOU !

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

Attitude Is Everything

 What kind of day this will be is up to me.  I can lie in bed when I wake up in the morning and tune into all my aches and pains and any regrets I might wish to conger up. – And the flavor of my day has been set.

I can also put a smile on my face as I awaken and rejoice in the yet undiscovered wonders of this new day. – And the flavor of my day has also been set.

Age esteemers will choose the second scenario.  They know that attitude makes the difference.  You decide what kind of day you want and you make it happen through your attitude.  You control the flavor of your day.

 Bonnie Fatio

Eliminate And Esteem ate

If sometimes you’re not feeling great

Here are words to eliminate:

Sad and mad and old age fears,

Grim and dim and useless tears,

Down with frowns and joyless jeers,

Up into your highest gears!

Gauge your worth and gravitate

Towards what you most can ESTEEMate.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

With Age Esteem you’re ready for

The Tricks and Treats at your front door;

Take off your mask of dread:  Be Bold!

Say “Boo” to the task of growing old.

Cornucopias and sweet rewards

Find those who are always looking towards,

All the years to come, and in between,

And never back to what might have been.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

If one would follow Bonnie’s ways,

Around the world and back,

We’d learn that what she does and says

Is always right on track!

There’s no reason to begrudge the days

And feel our luster lack.

We must see through each hostile haze

And practice Bonnie’s knack! 

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

and Bonnie Fatio, its creator

Esteem begins with E S T,

(Est, in French, is is!)

Teem means to the utmost fullest

Age should be all this!

You can be at your very BEST

And Life be full of whiz,

Put futile old age fears to rest

And believe there’s daily Bliss!

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

Tracey Trottenberg, 41, Los Angeles, CA (from Montreal, Canada)

What comes to mind when I hear the term Age Esteem is feeling good about who you are at whatever age you age.  Esteem for me is feeling proud, and a sense of being in your body and in your essence and just feeling good about you and who you are at whatever age, stage you are now in your life.

My concerns about aging I would say are related to health. I am healthy and I feel good and I recognize that, especially being from Canada and now living in the US, the whole healthcare situation is a concern.  What is that actually going to look like in quality care and access to it, and from a financial standpoint, a quality standpoint.  That is definitely on my mind not just for me, but for others as well.

I would say also just the cost of living healthy and consciously is a concern.  I exercise and I try to eat well and having access to healthy food and good  nutritian and nourishment is important not just for me but for others.  There is such craziness going on in the food industry  with the high cost of the good stuff.

Tracey’s Tips:  For me aging well is so much about the mind, having a healthy mind and having a sense of wherever you are in the journey. Ever since I was a young kid I’ve had a tremendous amount of appreciation for aging and for the process of wisdom and the life experiences that comes with the lines and the greys and the various phases along the journey.  I was very close to my grandparents.  So for me it is about mind set. It is appreciating the journey and making peace with whatever from the past is still stirring those inner demons.  I would say that’s the biggest thing.  Then to live well wherever you are.  There’s a freedom, there’s a wisdom, there’s a peace with a sense of knowing I’m okay.  We were struggling. We have that inner war with those inner demons.  It doesn’t matter what age we are to have that peace and sense of okayness.  That is key to aging and living well.

Tracey Trottenberg is an international speaker in leadership and communication expert.                                           

Photo credit: Bonnie Fatio

Today’s the day when I

Will give the time and trust to try

To cease to dwell upon my age

And feel more like a weather-guage!

Sunny through the hours ahead,

Balmy when I’m off to bed;

Calm and clear and never stormy

Cloudless: that’s the best way for me!

If your nature has redeemed

Then you’re onto Age Esteem!

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

Jolanda van Tol, 46, Netherlands

AgeEsteem means I believe in age.  I am counting the years until I turn 50.  My life is going much better than I was at 35 or even younger.  And if people say you look 39 it’snot a compliment because I know myself now and I am happier now.  I am really looking forward.  That is why my hair is grey and nothing is going to change that, ever.

My concern with becoming older would be my health, my mobility but we will figure it out when it happens.  Also perhaps my independence if I could not do things for myself anymore and have to have others make decisions for me.  Those are the only things.

Jolanda’s Tips:  Age just happens!  Accept yourself.  Just accept yourself the way you are.  It is the way it is!  You don’t need to try to look younger with all the techniques.  You still can have nice breasts, butt and no wrinkles at 47.  I love old women.  You know Simona Signoret?   She was beautiful before she died.  Try to be happy.  Keep yourself healthy.  Just move around.  Not to exercise in a room, but just walk and bike and move!  Don’t lay down.  Don’t take a nap in the afternoon like my mother did from age 35.  No, just go on and go to bed early, but stay up all day.

Jolanda van Tol, helps people recognize their qualities and make them visible, www.Gloedvol.nl

Photo credit: Paulissimo

Ivy Slater, 49, New York City, NY

Age Esteem brings to mind a warmth.  Age Esteem to me is our esteemed age. – Not growing old or that we are x years old.  Old is negative, esteem is positive so AgeEsteem is seeing each additional year that we age as being more esteemed, more knowledgeable – and the more special we are.

One concern I have is that my body will keep up with my mind.  I don’t worry about my mind because I love to intake.  I work hard to make my body keep up with all the things that I still see ahead.

Ivy’s Tips:  Keep wonderful women around you, empowering women around you.  Surround yourself with women who are open of heart, open of mind, and encouraging.  – Women that you encourage and support, and who support you.

Exercise.  As opposed to pounding at the gym, I suggest walking with your girl friends.  Walking with women is both physical and mental.  Be kind to yourself and kind to your body.  Give your body what it needs when it needs it.  I would be the first to tell you that I love my ice cream, but we must make our choices.  Make sure that you take care of your body.  Don’t eat all junk food.  Make sure you spend time taking care of your outer body as well as your inner body.  So take Yoga classes or pilatis or walk with friends or go to the gym if that is how it works for you, but take the time.  Take the mental time and time for peace.  We are right here at the Women’s Global Summit and meeting and sharing interesting stories, but then at the end of the day you must digest it. – Letting it all sink into your mind, your body and your spirit.

Ivy Slater is a business coach working specifically with women in business, women entrepreneurs and women in sales at Slater Success Coaching.