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.
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…
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.
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Investigate classes at the community center or local library. It can be fun to learn with others.
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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.
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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.
Do you say “Thank you”? Of course you do. You say it multiple times a day. But do you say it mechanically without any real thought or feeling or do you say it with enthusiasm and a special lilt or timbre to your voice?
Thank you isn’t enough. Part of being thankful – and we AgeEsteemers know it is important to our well-being – is to acknowledge what we are thankful for. So why not try the following.
- The next time you say “Thank you” add what you are thanking the person for. It might be “Thank you for making it fun to shop here, for your cheery smile, for letting me know you like my singing, for opening the door…
- When you say “Thank you” make eye contact with the person you are thanking and smile.
- Put some spice and rythym into your voice. Sing the words. Add that spark of pizzazz!
Why Not?
These may not be first choice, but why not see them anyway?
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus **
Terry Gilliam is a bit of an untethered genius. Even in brilliant films such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or The Brothers Grimm. He’s basically a huge talent who tends towards overload. Here, having had the privilege of directing Heath Ledger (whom he worked with in Grimm) in his last film, he had the dilemma of having to substitute his character when Ledger passed away so prematurely and tragically. So he replaced this immense talent with no fewer than three actors: Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. The film is a magical mishmash with Faustian undertones though it ends up quite frustrating, without any real form. But it’s still a must-see thanks to all these top talents and what Gilliam managed in the aftermath of tragedy.
Panique au Village ** (vo French)
In the same animated style as Wallace and Gromit, this Belgian tale of Cowboy and Indian is a hectic, wild ride that’s naïve, inventive and funny.
Neptune Ingwersen, Film Critic
Films Worth Your While
L’Enfer de Henri-Georges Clouzot *** (vo French)
If you are a cinephile, an admirer of Romy Schneider or fascinated by the creative process, do not miss this study of French director Henri-Georges Clouzot’s filming of L’Enfer (with the gloriously young Schneider), never finished due to various circumstances which you will discover. Having become a legendary auteur after such works as Le Salaire de la Peur, Les Diaboliques, or his ground-breaking documentary, Le Mystère Picasso, Clouzot had become more and more demanding and difficult to work with. This documentary takes us into his world and back to the mood of the 60s, with all its novelties and excesses.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Tempète de boulettes géants) **1/2
What do they say about being careful what you wish for? Here’s a fun animated story for all ages about a fanatic inventor, who from childhood has fiddled with new-fangled ideas. When his dream of a machine that creates whatever food he orders comes to fruition, all hell breaks loose, literally. Good fun and some fine moral lessons.
Neptune Ingwersen, Film Critic
Abundance Is An Attitude
Each of us has potential that can be freed by looking at the abundance and goodness around us. When we lighten our lives by seeing the fortune that we have we are not only happier and more confident, we also become a magnet for others. There is a goodness in abundance which creates more goodness and more abundance. Look around you. The abundance is there.
AgeEsteem is acknowledging our abundance.
1. Interview people around you who are of different generations.
- What are they most thankful for?
- Do they have a habit of giving thanks daily? How?
- If so, when did they begin this habit?
- How do they benefit from their daily thanksgiving?
2. Do you see a difference between the attitude of those who give thanks regularly and those who do not?
3. Now, interview yourself using the same questions.
4. Taking all your interviews into consideration, do you see a correlation between people giving thanks, and feeling good about themselves at the age they are today?
5. Share your experience by leaving a comment or mailing Bonnie.Fatio@AgeEsteem.com.
To all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving this month, today, and every day,
