This little white flower with its intoxicating scent is along, with the rose, a prime component of most perfumes.

Its main property is combatting stress.  Used in aromatherapy it helps to alleviate anxiety and provide relief with a massage or bath of the essential oil.  One study has shown that it is more effective than lavender for bedtime relaxation and sleep.  Also skin conditions are improved with the use of its oil.

In addition to emitting a beautiful scent, it can relieve the pressures of the day!  A wonderful secret for age esteem.

Grandma Nature

Bonnie Fatio will be speaking at the YWCA Southeastern Regional Conference in Miami, Florida on September 17th.

The YWCA is a global movement of 25 million women and girls working for justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and the environment in 125 countries.  Age esteem is important in the lives of those within the YWCA movement regardless of age.

It always puts a smile on my face to see fields of sunflowers in bloom.  They have such a generous attitude.  The sunflower not only shares its beauty as it lifts its face to the sun as though laughing with joy.  – It also provides a landing field for all kinds of airborne insects from bumble bee to butter fly who in turn spread the flower’s pollen.

This is easily understood by people with age esteem.  Age-esteemers also have an attitude of generosity.

• They focus their thoughts on the sunshine, the positive.
• They shine with inner beauty.
• They share their joy of living, and
• They spread their pollen of wisdom.

Bonnie Fatio

The sunflower is a wonderful teacher.  Even before it opens into all of its splendor, it teaches us that

• Beauty is not something that simply splashes out a people.
• It is something that must be developed.
• True beauty grows out of developing and maturing.
• It is based on experience and learning as much as colorful pedals.
• Before we can shine on the outside, we need to create a glow on the inside.

Age esteem is also like the sunflower.  It grows out of  that glow on the inside.

Bonnie Fatio

Some people may say that the new 65 is the new 45.  It isn’t.  The new 65 is the NEW 65! – And this is just one glimpse of what it looks like.

Today’s 65ers are visiting new places, testing new limits, and living exciting adventures like my friend Evie shown here sliding in a Costan Rica rain forest.  Evie is also among those who are constantly seeking unique ways to contribute their talents to society and she volunteers her time in a local shelter.  – A 65er full of Age Esteem!

Bonnie Fatio

Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, will speak at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland on Does Age Matter? on September 7.

Age is important to the work of the WHO.  In 2007 WHO created the Department of Ageing and Life Course (ACL).  ACL focuses on helping people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it.

AgeEsteem is aligned with the WHO in its focus to help people to realize their potential.  Age esteem is an essential element to remaining healthy and reaching your potential as you age no matter where on our globe you live.

Movies are good for us.  They help to enhance our Age Esteem.

• Movies allow us to dream,
• To visit far away places,
• To meet new people and join in rare experiences.
• Movies tickle our emotions,
• Challenge our listening skills and enlarge our vocabulary.
• They teach us, train us and entertain us.
• They create social occasions for us to catch a film with friends.
• And they keep us up with new trends.

Why not enjoy a good movie today?

Ah! that majestic gift of Mother Nature. – The rose, “La Grande Dame” as the French would say, probably the most feminine of all flowers.

The Rose, a symbol of love, has been around since antiquity.  Its fragrance is euphoric, the petals like velvet and the multitude of colors available are dazzling to the eye.  It is a  component of nearly all perfumes.  Inhaling its fragrance and beauty will lift your spirits and enhance your age esteem.

There is more to the rose than meets the eye. The rose  is very efficient in treating skin conditions:  improving wrinkles, treating eczema and acne and being used as a tonic in rose water to smooth and invigorate the face.  Stress is also alleviated with rose treatments by a massage, in a bath or just by spraying a lovely rose perfume on the body.  It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties as well.

In the Middle East they use rose essence in puddings and ice cream, and rose petals may be scattered over a lovely salad to give a decorative appearance and may be eaten as well!

However, one must be careful when handling roses.  A prick from a rose thorn may be lethal when it cuts the skin.  Roses can carry a bacteria that is transmitted through the blood stream to the heart, lungs and brain.  Should you ever be pricked by a rose thorn go immediately for medical care if the area becomes red, swollen and seems to spread.  Antibiotics will be given to contain the disease.  This can be avoided by wearing gloves when gardening.

Grandma Nature

Friends at the 50th reunion reinforced studies I have read.  Those who were aging well were not necessarily the most physically fit and healthy.  Instead they were the ones with healthy attitudes.  Cancer, strokes, pain, paralysis and bankruptcy did not hold these healthy attitudes back.  Rather they were the ones we sought out first.  They exuded age esteem.

• We were drawn by their contagious laughter.
• They were genuinely interested in listening to the stories of others.
• They embraced the opportunity to play, to release their inner child.
• Their health was a minor event in their life story which was filled with family, friends,  accomplishments and contributions.
• They dwell on the positives of life.

Bonnie Fatio

Jeannie Slaughter, 57, USA

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear Age Esteem is enthusiasm.  I’m fascinated by the title.  Age Esteem is natural for me.  It  follows in every ladder or level for me.  If you don’t have enthusiasm for whatever you do, then why do it?  As trite as that sounds.  Do what you love.

Jeannie’s tips:  Be introspective.  Think about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, if you’re doing it well.  Do you look in the mirror and like what you see?  Not just external, but internal.  It’s all part of being alive and being in the world and glad to be there.  Everyone should serve.  It’s not enough to be good, you need to love what you do and have that service aspect.  Yes, it’s important to be in a position to make someone else happy.