Love is in the air!

Age-esteemers know that love is in the air at every age. It is accessible to each of us.

Reach out to someone and tell them that you love them. If you do not have anyone to say “I love you” to, then choose someone else like yourself who is alone. It may be someone who is older than you, or maybe a child. Each of us needs to hear those words.

I love you!

Bonnie Fatio

Happy International Day of Older Persons

“The world population is rapidly ageing. Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will double from about 11% to 22%. The absolute number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to 
2 billion over the same period.” (World Health Organization)

Age is not what it used to be.  We are living longer and fuller lives. Age-esteemers know there are joys to being an older person. Age-esteemers continue to contribute their expertise and talents to the world. Age-esteemers love, laugh and make the most of what they have.

Join AgeEsteem® in celebrating this day of recognition for the contributions of older people.

Bonnie Fatio

Jubilee, Oh Jubilee

Jubilee, oh Jubilee

I hope your glee rubs

Off on me.

A state in which I’d like to be:

Jubilant with Jollity

(Even at my age: Eighty!).

It all depends on attitudes

Not straight laced with platitudes,

And furrowed brows

And unused vows,

But simple ways to Reign Supreme

Like a Queen – with Age Esteem.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

in honor of all Age-Esteemers celebrating their 80th birthday this year.

A Film For Age Esteem – Quartet

Quartet is a delightful film that openly addresses, with humor, the trials of growing old.  Directed by Dustin Hoffman, now 75, it stars a quartet of age-esteemers: Maggie Smith 78, Billie Connolly 71, Pauline Collins 73, and Tom Courtenay 76.

Together they prove that age is not for sissies (famous quote from Bette Davis).  At the same time they prove that how you live your age is your choice.  They each choose to live it manifesting many of the traits of age esteem.

• There is still room for romance and love.
• You are meant to share your talents at every age.
• Passion for what you love to do continues to drive your actions.
• Relationships with friends of all ages remain key as we age.
• Growing old is a continuation of life and living.

No, age is not for sissies.  Choose how you want to live your age.

Bonnie Fatio

In several parts of the world, today is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving.  Whether or not this is a day of celebration where you live, I invite you to celebrate your blessings.

As children we used to sing a grace that said,

“For health and strength and daily food we praise thy name oh Lord.”

For those of us who are older these blessings remain as important as they did when we were young.  Looking at our blessings helps us to focus on what we have, rather than what we might be missing.

Yes, I am thankful for my health, my strength and my nourishment.  I am also thankful for my wonderful relationships and for age-esteemers like you who visit my blog.

Have a happy day of thanksgiving.

• Focus on what you have to be thankful for.
• Smile and state out loud what these blessings are.
• Let the people in your life for whom you are thankful know that you are thankful for them.

You are a blessing in my life,

Bonnie Fatio

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

Home alone for Christmas?  This blessed Christmas season can be a lonely one for many of us.  This becomes especially true as we mature and our children leave home, marry and have their own families and traditions.  Not everyone can travel long distances to be together.

If you are going to be alone, why not create some new traditions of your own?  Age Esteemers know that when you are reaching out to others, you no longer feel lonely.  Why not plan some activities like these?

• Find out if help is needed at the local soup kitchen for the hungry, reading the Christmas Story to people in the hospital, or distributing gifts to the poor.  Most churches and communities have programs like these.
• Search out others of all ages who might be alone and organize Carol singing on Christmas eve followed by hot chocolate and conversation, a homemade or white elephant gift exchange, or party to play board games.
• Bake cookies or candy or make candles or decorations that you can wrap and deliver to people who you know will not be able to leave their homes.  Your visit when you deliver your gift will be precious.  It may prove to be the greatest gift.
• Plan to phone three people each day to wish them Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas or simply to let them know you are thinking of them.  Include people who will also be alone as well as family and friends.

Share your vitality and joy for living, your age esteem.  Even if you have to pretend to feel happy when you begin to reach out to others, before you know it your happiness will be genuine!

Bonnie Fatio

We have been hearing much about beta-carotene these days.  What is it exactly?  No, it is not a carrot!  It is an antioxidant found in foods which seem to reduce cancer development and heart disease.  Carrots do contain a large quantity of beta-carotene as do other yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables.  One thinks of orange when seeing the word carotene, and yet the antioxidant is found in great quantities in dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and Swiss Chard as well.

Studies have shown that for the beta-carotene to be most effective it must be cooked or cut into small pieces.  Some fat should be added when preparing the food in order for the beta-carotene to be assimilated in the body.  Other foods with high amounts are carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato, kale, beet greens, cantaloupe and red peppers.

Beta-carotene is converted in the body into vitamin A, which is necessary for good vision and the immune system.  It has an important function in helping to prevent lung cancer.    Enjoying these vegetables and fruits will not only provide a delicious meal but will keep you fit and healthy.

Grandma Nature

Lessons of Autumn

Why is it that we focus on our skin spots, scars and beauty marks as flaws?  So often what we see as beauty in others we identify as a blemish on our own body.

I think this photo of a single leaf gives us the answer.  If we examine it carefully looking at each detail, we find brown spots,  tears and scars.  However, when look at the total leaf, these “flaws” make it even more interesting and pretty.  And when we see it on the tree it enhances the overall beauty of the foliage because of it’s particularities.

The leaf offers us an important lesson of  beauty.  When we wash our face, shave or put on makeup we tend to focus on tiny details.  We seek the flaws. – So of course we find them!  But when we look at the total picture of who we are, our beauty is very different.  Our total is more attractive than each little detail.  Our wrinkles, brown spots, scars and blemishes actually enhance our look.  And when we add a smile, in the same way that the leaf shines with its color, we take on our own color.  Our inner beauty flows to the surface.  Oh, yes.  The leaf is a wonderful example of what makes us beautiful!

Age esteemers are beautiful people because they shine from within and wear a smile.

Bonnie Fatio

All Saints Day is a time to remember and honor those who have gone before us.  In some countries it is also celebrated as Halloween.  Whatever we call it, it is a day to celebrate the lives of those relatives, friends, role models and mentors who are no longer with us.  It is a wonderful reminder that we will each live on in multiple ways long after our death.

It also reminds us that how we live our lives and reach out to others is precious. Who are the people you remember and celebrate today?  They are most probably those who touched your life through what they said and did rather than what they had.

Age esteemers greet each day as an opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of others. – A smile, encouragement, listening, reaching out a hand…  It takes very little to positively affect the  life of someone else.

Bonnie Fatio