Perhaps the most important realization a person can make is that they have the ability to control their growth. This is true at all ages and stages of life. Some of the ideas listed below are simple while others might take a conscious effort to act on. Each idea helps us care for our body, in much the same way as we do our garden.

Nutrition, what you feed your body, is important. As you age your metabolism slows down. You need fewer calories so it is important to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value. Make it a priority to Include lean protein in your diet. Remember to choose foods that are high in fiber and low in sodium or salt.

Also, look for Vitamin D, an important mineral as we age. Consider taking vitamin supplements targeted at your age group.

Feed your body to encourage healthy growth!

Today marks the First International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, June 19, 2016.

Sexual violence in conflict touches all ages and damages lives for ever. Yet rape and sexual violence have only recently been recognised as a war crime and a crime against humanity. Join me in recognising the importance of this day.

Bonnie Fatio

An Intergenerational Vacation

Why is it that so many older people book cruises for their vacations?

When my husband and I took a cruise in the Caribbean I found many answers to this question.

Despite the fact that cruises are not free, they can be relatively inexpensive if you book last minute deals, or very early. Since almost everything is included in the price, you can get by without investing in extras.

And there are bonus advantages:

• You stay in the same room and only need to unpack and repack once. – Your temporary home carries you to your multiple destinations.
• The food includes all dietary wishes.
• Multiple activities are available to play, learn and exercise.
• Ease of contact with people of all ages.

If you choose to, you can interact with little ones and teenagers as well as those closer to your own age or older than you.

I believe this last point is especially important to feel confident and competent as you age. A key to age esteem is to be in contact with people of other generations and cultures. It is an excellent way to gain a new perspective and understand what is important to younger and older people, as well as have an opportunity to share your own views.

Why is this important for your age esteem? When we interact with people of other ages, rather than isolate ourselves with adults of our own era, we become comfortable being with and dialoging with other generations. Take teenagers for instance. If we do not have regular contact with teenagers, we can easily be more critical of them simply because we do not understand how they see the world. When we take time to converse with them and listen to their interests and ideas, we begin to appreciate who they really are. We no longer categorize them as having the same traits simply because they are teenagers. Instead we get to know them as individuals. – And they see us as unique individuals as well.

My dad used to open conversation with young people easily. He was genuinely curious and interested to know what they thought. Sometimes the youth would be leery of him in the beginning, but they soon found themselves in conversation. They could tell that his interest was sincere. It may not be as simple as that for people who are more timid. However, vacation is a great time to be with, and get acquainted with others of all ages.

Bonnie Fatio

Age Esteem = Regular Interaction with People of All Ages

An important quality of Age Esteem is to have regular interaction with people of all ages. – To relate to the full span of ages.

This used to be a natural aspect of living. Three, even four generations within a family often lived under the same roof, and still do in many countries today. It provided a natural relationship among different generations with each understanding his or her role within the family.

Of course it was not always easy, but neither is it necessarily easy to live within a mono-generational community. In both cases we need to know how to accept and respect each other.

We also learn from each other. The older ones give us a reference to be able to put the ups and downs of life into perspective as we make our own life decisions. They provide examples as role models.

Younger generations keep us current. What matters to youth today? How do they view the world? What is the meaning of their favorite music and games?

When we esteem ourselves at the age we are, this age esteem comes in part from recognizing the value of our age, in relation to ourselves and in relation to others.

Working and interacting intergenerationally helps us to gain the necessary perspective to recognize our own value at the age we are.

Bonnie Fatio

Intergenerational Diversity

 A quality of Age Esteemers is to have regular contact with people of all ages. I would also extend this to include diverse backgrounds and cultures.

We live in a world today where we can no longer simply sit back and live as though there is no evolution and we can live with the status quo. The world constantly evolving: technology is advancing, health care is making tremendous inroads concerning our bodies and minds and how to keep them healthy, education includes topics that were not yet dreamed of when we were children.

It is an exciting time to be alive!

One way to make the most of it and to keep up with worldviews and events is to speak and interact with people of diverse backgrounds and from other cultures.

• Ask questions,
• Share your traditions with them and allow them to share theirs with you,
• Invite them to see photos of your life and perhaps the lives of your ancestors and take the time to view their own photos and
• Share the stories that highlight each of your lives.

As you get to know each other better and to understand both your differences and similarities, you will grow in appreciation and tolerance of those differences and find new complementarities among your similarities. Instead of criticizing each other, you will be able to value the other person for the qualities she has.

Bonnie Fatio

Proud To Be A Woman

We should make everyday an International Women’s Day. – A day to celebrate and honor all women of the world.

I am proud to be a woman.

As a woman I have given birth to a daughter as well as to ideas, products, businesses, and AgeEsteem… I am capable to teach, lead, advise, guide, counsel, support, encourage, mentor, and sit at the decision-making table.

I am able to laugh, sing, play and dance, even though my heart may be breaking or my body in pain.

I am able to feel within me the pain and suffering of my sisters around the globe who face atrocities that no living creature should have to endure, and lift them in my thoughts and prayers.

I am able to rejoice as I watch generations of women stand up and speak out for what they know to be right and just, despite the personal risk it may involve.

Oh, yes, I am proud to be a woman and to celebrate my sisters of all ages each day of the year!

 Bonnie Fatio

Age Esteem is “Being”

Are you present in the moment, or are you ruled by To Do Lists and self-imposed obligations?

I came across an e-zine that I had written three years ago.  “This is really good stuff”, I thought.  I pulled out another and another.

Did I really write these?  I know that I did, but they seemed to convey an authenticity that has been missing recently.

What has happened?  What am I doing differently today to make them less than they were?  Is it because of my health issues?  I have had several during the past three years.  Have I turned my passion into work?  I still love what I do.  Many questions bombarded me.

The answer came to me a couple days later as I was writing my To Do List. – I have become caught up in “doing” rather than “being”!

This revelation shook me up.  I had always prided myself in being drawn toward my vision rather than building it.  But here I was, several business mentors later, realizing that I was no longer being my genuine self and living the vision.  Instead, I was caught up in doing what must be done to build the vision.

You may say, “Of course you were.  That is how empires are made.”  But it is evident to me that I do not want to build an empire.  My vision is of a world where people of all ages are respected as valued members of society.

It is not an empire.  It is an attitude, a way of life that enhances lives around the globe.

I want to be a catalyst for this vision to positively transform the way we look at age.  It is a vision of dignity, respect and appreciation for the contribution and potential of each age, which is inclusive of all people.  This vision wants to be so strong that people begin to think, act and live the vision.

Yes!  For this I need to go back to “being” the vision.  Being means breathing, thinking, dreaming, feeling and vibrating the vision now.  It means being present in each moment.

I AM and I choose to BE.

Time will tell the difference this will make.  Oh, yes.  I will continue to “do” as well, but only as it relates to “being”.

How about you?

Bonnie Fatio

A Spirited Scheme – Age Esteem

There was once a spirited scheme

Which they cleverly named “Age Esteem”,

    It teaches all ages

            Just how one engages

To live to the fullest each dream.

So how does a person first start,

When they think Life’s falling apart?

            You can wake up and say

            “Hooray for this new day!”

“I’m alive and I’ll strive to live smart!”

Written for AgeEsteem® by Alexandra Taylor

Spring Fatigue

It is normal to feel tired in the spring.  This is true at all ages.

Lack of sun, a diet that was too rich during the holidays and cold weather, and lack of exercise and fresh air are some of the reasons.  In many parts of the world there is a change in time as we set our clocks forward an hour.

You will feel normal again in two to three weeks after you get back to a healthy life style.

 Grandma Nature

Love Me

Each of us wants to be loved.  Love is necessary for our health and well-being.  Scientific research with babies stresses the importance, indeed need,  for love and attention in our early years.  The research shows that love and touch directly impact a baby’s physical, emotional and mental development.

Yes, love is essential to us, and at all ages.

The most important love is our self love. I don’t mean narcissistic love, but genuine acceptance and love of who you are.  Before you can truly love others you must love yourself.

You may cry out to others “love me”, but  how can they find you lovable if you do not display and portray that love within yourself?  This need to love ourself is crucial at every age and stage of life.

Two difficult periods for recognizing our self-worth and loving ourselves are during our adolescent years when we are defining who we are and what we want, and then again when we reach our retirement years and are redefining who we are and what we want.

• Remind yourself that you are lovable and worthy.
• Make a date with yourself to do something you love.  Pamper yourself.
• Keep a diary of the positive comments that people make to you, what others admire in you.
• Make it a habit to speak positively to yourself.  Throw out any negative thoughts.
• Each time you look in a mirror, say “I love you!” to your reflection.