It is important to have “down time”, moments or periods of time when we do nothing except enjoy the moment. I was having one such moment with two of my friends recently. We had each taken off the afternoon to simply “be” together.

Although it was the first time that these particular friends met, they immediately connected with each other. It didn’t surprise me, because we have positive outlooks that help us anticipate the joy of meeting someone new and to find the interest in them.

Mixing with positive people is an important key to aging with age-esteem. People we associate with influence how we feel about ourselves and about life in general.

Do you have people in your life who are positive in their outlook?

• Make a personal audit of the people you see regularly. What do you admire about them? Do you learn from them? Are they people who share your values and whom you respect? Do they bring out the best in you?
• Eliminate anyone from your inner circle who does not fit these criteria. Move away from anyone who stresses faults rather than qualities.
• If you must be with negative people at work, be polite but don’t let them into your inner circle.
• Seek out and spend your time with people who have positive, « can do » attitudes.

Positive people will help you become the greatest you that you can become today, at the age you are.

Bonnie Fatio

Rejoice!
Let your voice
Be the clue
To the you
Of your Choice.

Written by Alexandra Taylor after the chapter “Rejoice” in the book
AgeEsteem: Growing A Positive Attitude Toward Aging
by Bonnie Lou Fatio

Regard less yearly aging
Regard more, and then esteem
The Joys of Life, and be engaging
in Fulfilling your own dreams.

Written for Age Esteem by Alexandra Taylor

Acknowledge your age.  Age is positive and natural.  We have been aging since the moment of birth. If we are breathing we are aging.   To age is to be alive.  Age is a gift, a gift that not everyone receives.  Rejoice and be glad that you are alive and aging.

Why should you acknowledge your age?  Why not just ignore it?  After all, today is just another day.

Is it?  You’ve experienced and learned every instant on your journey to reach the age you are now.  To look on today as just another day is ignore all you’ve gained by living.  It is to miss out on living this moment.  Today you are the youngest you will ever be.  To waste it is to miss out on the present.

Age esteemers acknowledge their age and focus on the advantages it brings.

Bonnie Fatio

Isabel Contreras, 57, Switzerland

What comes to mind when I hear Age Esteem is having self esteem so that when you age you will feel good about yourself.  Age Esteem is about having self esteem while aging.  I suppose that for me aging is once you reach 55 onwards.

Isabel’s Tips: Because I am very active in the work that I do, my own concern with aging is that I want to look relatively fresh.  I feel very young inside so therefore I would like to look very young on the outside – and I know and see that gravity is inevitable in aging.  Sometimes I’m concerned about that.

Positive thinking is key.  I maintain a positive attitude in everything I do.  I keep my dreams high, exercise,  read positive books, and avoid being with negative people.  I think that has been the most important thing.

I would say that to age well you need to enjoy every day of your life, to greet every morning with love in your heart, and to be grateful to be alive and to enjoy every day as a gift from God.

Isabel Contreras is founder of  Life Motivations and an international trainer.

Walnuts for AgeEsteem

Most people love walnuts, either in brownies or cookies or other delights. Did you know that walnuts are very healthy as well as being delicious? Next time you’re hungry and feel like a snack, eat a handful of walnuts.

Walnuts are healthy for your AgeEsteem.  They contribute to the prevention of health factors associated with aging.

Walnuts are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids which lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Walnut oil is obviously good for cardiovascular health as well. In addition walnuts are rich in iron, protein and magnesium which is necessary for strong bones.  They are a very versatile food which can be added to vegetables as well as to desserts. So, when next baking or cooking, add some walnuts!

Waldorf Salad
Equal amounts of red apples, celery and walnuts, cut into small pieces.
Add one cup of sour cream and mix together.
Refrigerate and serve when needed.

Grandma Nature

Time For Tea

Take time for tea. There is nothing like a cup of hot tea to warm and comfort. It has many medicinal uses as well.

Green and black tea are the most useful. Both are known to  prevent the coagulation of the arteries, thus preventing heart attacks.

The Japanese and Indians first discovered the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea many centuries ago. Green tea aids in the improvement of the functioning of the brain. It has been shown that brain activity in older people is equal to younger persons when tea is regularly drunk over a period of time.

In addition green tea contains fluoride which strengthens teeth and enamel.  At the same time it fortifies bones, which can offset osteoporosis. Older people must be especially careful as bones become more fragile, thus causing them to break should they fall.

There are beauty benefits in tea as well. Studies show that it fights premature aging and sharpens concentration. Nowadays we often see cosmetics, perfume and other beauty products proclaiming tea as an important and efficient ingredient in stopping the aging process from within and without.

Grandma Nature