Category Archives: aging well

Lifestyle Solutions

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Mindful or mind fullIn the space between your thoughts there is your truth. ~ Reuben Lowe

Every once in a while I need to put on the brakes and find some lifestyle-oriented solutions to slow down my journey through life. I usually need to have a come-uppance with myself after a busy summer. It’s good to switch gears from Mind Full to Mindful to remind myself that life is not a race, and to enjoy every task, each day, that I have been given.

 The pronunciation of the words Mind Full and Mindful are exactly the same, but take on two different stories if you put the emphasis in different places, capitalize different letters, and eliminate one of the L’s. Strange isn’t it?

For instance, if you asked someone what having a “Mind Full” morning means, the response may go something like this:

  • Take the kids to school
  • Drop the dog off at the groomer
  • Stop at the store for bread and milk
  • Run back home and throw laundry in the washer
  • Jump in the shower
  • Slap some ham and cheese between two pieces of bread for lunch
  • Remember to gas-up
  • Arrive at work only a few minutes late

If you told someone you’ve had a “Mindful morning,” you’d probably be implying you spent the early hours of your day:

  • Watching the sunrise
  • Sipping a mug of hot chai
  • Reading a passage in a daily  devotional
  • Taking a leisurely bath
  • Letting your hair air dry while you do your nails
  • Moseying on to work with plenty of time to spare

the exquisite riskThe Mindful morning sounds more appealing, doesn’t it?  Practicing mindfulness means listening to our inner whisperings in our jobs as well as in our personal lives. It reduces burnout because we work more efficiently and productively, eliminating the feelings of rushing thoughtlessly from task to task.

Just by rising a little earlier each morning it may be possible to switch from a Mind Full to a more Mindful existence. And you may get the benefit of seeing something new and fulfilling growing within yourself called contentment.

Are you ready to trade chaos for calm and face a new dawn? The Exquisite Risk: Living an Authentic Life by Mark Nepo may help convince you of the value. To check out this book and his others, please visit this website.http://www.marknepo.com/. Note that Mark Nepo will be appearing on Super Soul Sunday in November. See the details on his website.

This blog  brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.  The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Beautifully Aged Specimens

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Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

We all know someone who looks age in the face, and is out to prove every stereotypical trait of aging wrong. In fact, their determination to show others that being over age 50 is no reason to slow down, has become their fulltime job. Working at aging gloriously brings personal fulfillment to many men and women. After all, we take little notice of the fact that we are aging if we are busy enjoying ourselves.

There have been all kinds of studies that identify how influences to the human spirit affects the way we live. http://bit.ly/1hENNXn. Resilience and determination are just a few character traits that truly make a difference. Humor, gratitude, spirituality and creativity in our lives play important roles in the aging process, also.

We can often identify within minutes of meeting someone whether they have “esprit de la vie” or not. You can tell by the words they speak, the inflections in their voice and their outlook for the world we live in.

Juicy tomatoes_The Juicy Tomatoes Guide to Ripe Living after 50, by Susan Swartz is a look at women who take on the idea of living with spunk seriously. This book is written with cheeky attitude and humor,  which might annoy some readers but the tone matches the spirit of the book. It is fun, lively and a great gift for someone is overly concerned with growing older and the physical changes that naturally take place as we age.

Positive and negative attitudes affect not only our human experience, but also that of our children. My parents, who are well into their eighties and still maintaining their own house and gardens, are aging like heirloom tomatoes – a variety that has been passed down, through several generations of a family because of it’s valued characteristics.

How my parents have lived their lives has given me many reasons to be very grateful that I am their daughter. Mom and Dad, you are ripe with beauty – you’re wonderful specimens.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow!

 

Grow as you Age

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“Art is not a part of life, it is not an addition to life, it is the essence of those pieces of us that make us fulfilled. That give us hope.” ~ Hasan Davis

The most inspiring people that I have crossed paths with in my life time have been people who never stop growing emotionally, spiritually and educationally. I’ve been particularly impressed with the large base of very active retirees in this community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Many, many seniors well into their eighties continue to do volunteer work, which they say “keeps them vital .”

The other day, I stopped by on business to Casey’s Pond, the new senior living facility in town. The first phase of the project is just days away from opening. In all the hubbub of activity, I ran into the developer Charles Gee. He was so kind to spend a little time talking with me.

Our conversation led to art, and Gee mentioned he is a big “proponent of the concept of art and healing.” The developer proceeded to show me a book of plans and pointed out wall nooks that have been designed throughout the building to showcase permanent installments. “Not all, but much of the art, “ Gee said, “will come from talented local artists.” The state-of-the-art facility is beautiful, by the way.

After I left the building and walked toward the car, I began to think how quality senior living facilities endorse bringing a diverse range of programs to the residents so they can continue to be actively involved and have the best quality of life possible. According to studies, all things that are culturally stimulating affect longevity positively.

If you wish to read more about using art to enhance the lives of seniors, here is a great blog. http://bit.ly/19xWHXC.

That’s the good news for today! It’s all I’ve got at this moment.

October 3 three

Casey’s Pond Senior Care Facility. Opening October 2013

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you on Friday on All Things Fulfilling.

Harvesting Fall Films

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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Harvest the movie0With fall upon us, we are entering into a season where nights are getting longer and colder, so we spend more reading and film viewing.

Harvest, a 2010 movie release, is about relationships, and coming to terms with the past, the immediate and the future as changes in family dynamics affect everyone involved. Issues of both aging and coming of age will be relatable to many viewers. The challenges, with both, put focus on the meaning of  family  making the story “undeniably heartfelt,” according to Newsday. The lovely seaside setting adds to the overall beauty of the movie.

Harvest has gathered many awards in it’s basket from some very prestigious film festivals. To read the full summary of the movie , go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302001/.  The film can be ordered from the Internet Movie Database also.

Harvest_keyArtWant an educational alternative with an adult subject?  Check out this award-winning, independent documentary about harvesting grapes and winemaking in the Sonoma Valley. Harvest: The Blood, Sweat and Tears that Go into Every Bottle might better satisfy your tastes in movies. http://www.harvestmovie.com/

This weekend may be a good time to visit a local orchard to harvest the fruit of the season. Come home and heat up some mulled cider, bake a fresh apple pie, then relax and enjoy one of these movies with your family or your friends – because they are family also!

No matter how you decide to spend your weekend, make it fulfilling!  And do return on Monday. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Motivational Adages

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decide-that-you-want-it-more-than-you-are-afraid-of-itThe theme of today’s blog is this powerful adage that I use for motivation when I take on a challenge. It can apply to many different situations in life. I’ve decided to post it on my refrigerator where I can readily see it, so it will remain at the forefront of my thoughts.

If you have ever taken on a challenge, you know how important faith and hope are to success. You also probably understand that every time we allow ourselves to let go of either, those nagging thoughts of self-doubt enter into our brains and mess with us.

Hope and faith are what keeps us moving ahead in life, and without a certain degree of both, it is hard to get out of bed in the morning. Believing that good things are in store for us each day brings positive thoughts and actions.

Is there someway you can use this adage in your life to help motivate you and bring personal fulfillment to yourself? If so, you will find astounding results.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

e-Book Extravaganza

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Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. ~ Kofi Annan

cipa logoOn Saturday I made the very worthwhile three hour trek into Denver from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to attend Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) monthly meeting. The September agenda was an e-Book Extravaganza. Here are just a few things that were discussed throughout the day:

  • The e-book industry now represents 33% of book sales. How about that?
  • People like having a choice of formats, so offering books in print, as well as an e-book version is wise marketing.
  • There is still a viable market for books-in-print but there is a certain part of the reading population who are clamoring for e-books due to their convenience.
  • Surprisingly, people who are 55 years of age and over ARE BUYING e-books, contrary to what was expected. It is not just the young generation that are interested in the digital format.
  • We discussed pricing of e-books and how you can leverage your intellectual property.
  • E-books make it easy to offer samples, providing potential book buyers the  opportunity to see if they like an author they’ve never read before.
  • A big advantage to e-books – there is no printing involved, thus it removes the need for physical space of inventory.

If you are a writer who wants to get on The Fast Track to Independent Publishing, here is a short webinar that will introduce you to the basics. http://bit.ly/10cCp1Y. 

Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling, we will be discussing the next best step if you are a person who is considering independent publishing and you are in need of knowledge. I will tell you a quick but valuable story from this weekend.

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Timely Messages

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Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine 

On September 6th, National Read a Book Day I mentioned that reading one spark of an idea from a book can change us for a lifetime. I recently saw a sentence that motivated me big time! I took seriously the words: “the person whose life is full of faith is on the offense; he or she is taking charge of life, making decisions and making things happen.”

morning-roosterHow’s that for a call to action? For weeks I had been indecisive about whether or not to sign up for a public speaking class. I knew it was something that I needed to do for myself if I am to pursue my dreams for my publication. As soon as I read the inspirational thought, I acted immediately and enrolled in the course, before I could “chicken out.”

The course is in the early weeks but it is going well. When it’s time, I will be better prepared to “strut my stuff,” and I will be one more step closer to what I dream of doing.

As I have said before on All Things Fulfilling, I try at all costs to hold myself accountable to any ideas that I broadcast on this website. Otherwise, I am full of phony-baloney. That is not one of my lifetime aspirations I can assure you of that!

The inspiring thought came from THE book I’ve hinted about previously that I will be revealing in due course. Before it appears on this site, I will give you the heads up!

This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Please return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow.

Gatsby Groupies

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 “Show me a hero, and I’ll write you a tragedy.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

gatsbyI feel as if I am becoming a Gatsby groupie! Today I walked into the Bud Werner Library, and saw a display case announcing the next One Book Steamboat (a community read). It is The Great Gatsby. “I’m in,” I thought, as I proceeded to the DVDs and took out the 2000 production of The Great Gatsby movie by A & E Television Networks. Then I wandered over the computer and put in a reserve for a copy of the book by the same title.

I guess I haven’t had enough of the Fitzgeralds, the Jazz Age and the Long Island social elite even though last summer on my vacation, I took in the movie The Great Gatsby with my sister and I also hawked my mother’s copy of  Zelda and read it.

Truthfully, I was disappointed in the latest rendition of the movie, with Leonardo DiCaprio. The visual effects, I felt, were so over the top and frantic that it distracted me from being able to absorb the tragic tale of wealth and entitlement. The telling essence of Jay Gatsby’s character weaknesses were lost in the visual chaos of the movie, rather being told by the dialogue of the story.

The book Zelda, for me, provided much better insight into the psyche of an artist who “never wanted to give in or give up” despite failure and rejection. The narrative told an up-close and personal story of the relationship between wife and husband, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald and it gave historical perspective into their friendships with other contemporaries (filmmakers, writers and artists) from the era.

As a lead-up to the community discussion of the novel, on October 10th, the latest Leo Dicaprio version of “Gatsby” will be aired at the Bud Werner Library. I’ll probably skip it. But then again, perhaps with a second look I might have a different opinion. But I hope not to miss what will probably be a very fulfilling discussion on Monday, October 21st.  It will be led by the English teachers of SteamboatHigh School. I hope students are required to join in and read this classic novel.  For more information, please follow this link. http://www.steamboatlibrary.org/events/one-book-steamboat

Come on back tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Film Friday: Romance

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Love never gives up, never loses faith, always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance ~ from the Bible

This Film Friday I thought we would focus on romantic comedies.

Here are a list of twenty of the most popular romance movies from 2012. http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=20914. I am pondering over which one my husband and I might enjoy seeing tonight the most. Will it be The Vow,Click for Info & Ordering Perfect Sense Click here for Info & Ordering, The Lucky One Click Here for Info & Ordering or What to Expect When You Are Expecting Click here for info & ordering or shall it be something else?

Indeed, to survive a long term marriage, humor is important as well as devotion that just doesn’t quit, even if the other person in the relationship might be driving you crazy. And believe me, that happens in holy  matrimony.

Heart-shaped-waffles-490x329Today my husband & I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. I ‘m going to share this very short video with my husband, as we sit down to eat our “Eggos” for breakfast. He hasn’t seen it. It’s called My Waffle Wedded Wife.  It’s a good way to start the morning! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3E9U3GDrmI

Do Return to All Things Fulfilling on Monday. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com  The place where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Booksellers Dream Wedding

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“Dreams are illustrations….from the book your soul is writing about you.”

 ~ Marsha Norman

The best thing about planning any wedding is designing a day that is uniquely designed to reflect the tastes of bride and groom.

Last Saturday, The Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont http://www.northshire.com/  closed early for a private party. The store hosted the wedding of Sarah, one of their booksellers.

The event was everything fulfilling that a bibliophile could dream of. Even the bride’s bouquet was made from book pages and I’ll bet she tossed the paper posies from the commanding iron staircase that is the outstanding architectural feature in the store.

bridal bouquet with book pages

northshire bookstore stairs

I hope “Miss America of the Independent Publishing Industry,” the Expresso Book Machine, gave up her famed status for the day and let the bride be the star. I don’t want the  EBM to feel downgraded or upstaged, so I’ll give her a repeat feature of the blog I wrote about her early last summer. Click on this link to read more. http://bit.ly/10RIonQ.

Rumor has it that one of the wedding gifts was a handmade quilt with titles and cover images of the bride and grooms very favorite books. Imagine the pressure of having to decide which publication should be included and which will be left out. Avid readers have a long list of favorites, and I am sure there were too many books and too little space on the quilt’s surface.

I wonder if the couple first encountered each other between the shelves of the book store? Do you think they had custom written wedding vows that included a little poetry? Ahhh..the beauty of a relationship where two people come together with the common interests….and the advantages of owning an independent bookstore. “Nothing is set in stone,” as it is etched on the pavement leading into the Northshire Bookstore. That means you can do anything you please including closing early to host a booksellers dream wedding.

To learn more about this event, please visit the Facebook page of the Northshire Bookstore. http://on.fb.me/1cZVDKU

Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.