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Age should never change the quality of love. Never!
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“The elderly need your love as much as the young do and they’ve already given their share to you. It’s your turn now!”~
aging
This is for the Women out there – Every Single One Of You!
Don’t give me the numbers of your age!
Tell me what you’re doing with them!
If you’re a female, in many countries you live longer, are happier, better educated – in spite of having to work harder, multi-task between work and home … and pretty much have fought every inch of the way and are still fighting to have equal rights! (What’s up with that anyway? Can’t you guys figure it out!)
WELL, Cher says it all! And her age numbers 67 years!
*Visit Cher’s – Woman’s World (official HD music video) to pre-order her new album!
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And She has the right of it! We’re strong! Strong enough to rise above … as we’ve proven again and again and will keep on … until there are no barriers left!
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Are you aging or “getting old” … Boomer Bloggers!
Its time to start rethinking the “Obsolescence of Value” because of Age!
Statistically speaking, it is amazing how many are aging on this planet – right now! In many countries on our planet, almost one third of the population is over the age of 50.
Take the United Kingdom for example: in a report called Later Life in the United Kingdom (released August, 2013), the one third percentage holds true. There are more people aged 60 and above than there are under the age of 18.
55% of those surveyed considered themselves in the getting old category. They believe age discrimination exists, and that as you age, you are treated more as a child and they feel the country fails to make good use of the skills and talents of older people. In many countries this is a universal truth.
Let’s look at another country. According to the United States Census Bureau’s
World and USA population clock there are roughly 316,500,000 citizens in this country (right now). And the largest age group in that number are those that are 50 and older! More than 100 million! Do the math!
In the two largest countries on the planet, China and India the aging populations are (the research was a little more complicated) in China, there are roughly 194 million people over the age of 60. This number is predicted to increase to 440 million by 2050. India, according to the India Demographics Profile, has approximately 150 million over the age of 50.
In Russian, Europe, Japan, Australia and South America we find the same number of increased aging statistics. We are living longer, everywhere. But we haven’t changed our mindset on how we view older humans. It’s long past time to do so.
The aging human being brings a wealth of experience and potential wisdom to the mix. Many who are retiring are still active and I believe with the right incentives would continue to play a role and involvement in the workforce, their local community and country. In turn giving them a purpose that would strengthen their own resolve to stay healthier.
Remember, these numbers aren’t going away, in fact they are increasing daily. This substantial group of people could make a positive difference in the 
economic climate we currently find ourselves.
What can we do?
Let’s start with how you view yourself or an aging relative or friend. Mindset is everything! Getting old seems to imply being sickly, incompetent and needy. Certainly that is true for some, but not the many … Not yet anyway!
The dynamic potential that would happen by encouraging a re-emergence from the talent, knowledge, and experience of the “aging population” is unimaginable and (which btw is responsible for many of the technological creations and advancements being used today by us all) … so very doable and possible!
Think about it!
~ Penny
The Trek of it all – William Shatner!
Hey everyone, and of course all you hundreds of millions of trekkies (yup, that many)! I just have to share this video with all of you.
William Shatner, (A Canadian who became famous as Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise for the sci-fi cult tv show – Star Trek) is a movie star, tv icon and writer of science fiction. He’s also 82 years old. Does that slow him down? Not a whit!
He owns a horse farm (loves to ride) does tv commercials, shows up on tv shows, and so forth and so on. The follow commercial is for a new video game, and Shatner (as always is at his best) Please enjoy – a lot!
I also think he is an excellent representation of the meaning “living every day of your life to it’s fullest!” btw any of you who think I might be exaggerating click this link for his upcoming activities Bill’s Appearances!
Live long and prosper William!
~ Penny
The Mystery to Eternal Youth
timeless eternity
I recently completed a 5 part series, Aging Well -The Fountain of Youth. I spoke of a few items that I personally felt important to remember as we age. There was no need to discuss specifics such as diet and other like topics which abound everywhere. I attempted to cover more of the esoteric things that help our mind/body decide how it’s going to age. So to sum up:
- Attitude – Life is 10% what happens to each of us and 90% how we respond to it! Always our choice!
- Breathing – Our bodies need (as in absolutely must have) lots of oxygen to live and be healthy, breathe in and exhale deeply at least several times a day!
- Stretching – We, Homo sapiens are mammals with large and small muscle groups. Stretching is necessary. The act of stretching sends a message to our brain that all parts of us are awake and ready to move!
- Thoughts – There is nothing truer than the words “We are what we think” – fill up your mind with positive and good thoughts about yourself and others. No this isn’t always easy but it is doable with practice.
- Laughter – Laugh as frequently and often as you can. Laughter is the very best medicine in life at any
age for anything that ails you, besides it feels good!
Oh and the Mystery to Eternal Youth – one I should have included in the series:
Passion!
We must be passionate in our pursuits in life!
Coming soon, a new series called “Mastering the Art of Sensuality” (Thanks to a special person out there in blog-land who encouraged me to do this – She is greatly appreciated). To me, part of the experience of life is becoming comfortable and intimate with each of our senses.
We cannot be truly passionate about anything without the ability to connect closely to our senses (touching, seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting).
With an increased awareness of our own sensitivity (sensual nature) our ability to reach out to others, is greatly enhanced. And touching others (through words) is what I am really passionate about.
Looking forward to seeing you there,
My very best to you as always, your friend, Penny
Aging Well – The Fountain of Youth, Part 5
Laughter
Yes, the 5th and final secret of Aging Well is Laughter. Another simple thing it would seem. Yet in a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland, they concluded that laughter may have beneficial effects on the heart. Other studies have already been shown that laughter is in fact beneficial to every operating system in the body.
There are those who can speak of laughter better than I so I’ve gathered a few quotes from people you will find very knowledgeable on the subject of laughter.
A day without laughter is a day wasted –Charlie Chaplin
Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand – Mark Twain
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the god – Albert Einstein
Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. Bill Cosby
Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter. Friedrich Nietzsche
Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain – Charlie Chaplin
From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it. – Groucho Marx
You can’t deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. Stephen King
Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection – Yakov Smirnoff
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Victor Hugo
Laughter is inner jogging. Norman Cousins
Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effect – Arnold H. Glasow
I think laughter may be a form of courage. As humans we sometimes stand tall and look into the sun and laugh, and I think we are never more brave than when we do that – Linda Ellerbee
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities – Jean Houston
She knew what all smart women knew: Laughter made you live better and longer – Gail Parent
If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans – Woody Allen
To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it! – Charlie Chaplin
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win – Mahatma Gandhi
I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday. W.C. Fields
A day without sunshine is like, you know, night – Steve Martin
And last but not least, by one of my favor songwriter/composers – George M. Cohan, Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye.
Laughter is the greatest gift we are given in life. For longevity I recommend huge doses every chance you get. All my best to all of you who follow – Laughter, truly the best medicine of all, Penny L Howe
Aging Well – The Fountain of Youth, Part 4
Tomorrow will be the 5th and final post about aging well. But today is THE BIG BOY! The ONE to really pay attention too. So listen up. Or read up, or focus, or whatever it is that you do when you’re actually reading for comprehension and enlightenment. I’m guessing on this one again, but you do occasionally read for better understanding, right? lol
So now if you’re really ready for the big secret to staying young here it is…
YOUR THOUGHTS
There, that’s it. The very first thing to greet you in the morning, the thing that hovers during the day and the very last conscious thing you are aware of before you go to sleep, your thoughts.
So what do you think? Can there really be anything more important in our daily lives than the thoughts we are thinking, NOPE! As in not a chance, nada, negatory, unuh, no way…Get my drift here. Your thoughts shape your actions which shape how you react to your day. So simple. (Oh no another one of those simple things she keeps talking about!)
We are the directors of our own life’s adventures (which can come at us fast and furious) we decided with our thoughts about how we are going to respond.
Our emotions are strong and they influence, more sometimes than we would wish, but the conscious and aware us is still the person that responds. Our emotions tell us how we feel about something, our thoughts give us direction on how we are going to respond.
Our thoughts are powerful. I will repeat this. Our thoughts are powerful. We will determine how we live our life by the action resulting from our thoughts. Always!
I’ve already spoken about “Attitude”. Our attitude is shaped by our thoughts. Aging is something that happens to all living things. This is a truth. But how we age is determined by ourselves.
As children our thoughts are filled with imagination, having fun and thoughts of tomorrow – our reference point – when we are young. As we grow we experience more in life and our thoughts regarding these experiences continue to shape us.
Nothing is more responsible for the shaping of our destiny than our thoughts. They determine where we are going and how we are going to be on our life’s journey.
To age well, I believe it is best to allow your thoughts (as a director would) the freedom to be a child again filled with
imagination and fun and hope. Allow your thoughts to think well of yourself and others.
Turn your thoughts away from what is wrong and think thoughts of what is right. Do not let the bad experiences in life slow you down, or stop you. You alone can determine this. You and your thoughts!
And yes, I do truly know of what I speak. And it is true. With much love to each and every one of you, Penny,
Aging Well or the Fountain of Youth – Part 3
For the third secret of staying young we are going to the wild side. The wild side I am referring to is – Nature! Did you think I meant something different (hmmm)? Well that’s okay too, also very good for longevity. (I’m not suggesting I knew where you were going with that comment, just saying…you know! lol)
Seriously there are several important lessons to be learned from nature. The word of the day for longevity is “S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g”. Yes, sounds like another easy one doesn’t it. But we have the same problem with stretching that we had with breathing. Today many of us are more inactive physically and for longer periods of time.
There isn’t a mammal on the planet (in the wild or otherwise) that doesn’t instinctively stretch when it gets up from a prone or still position, Immediately. They stretch the largest muscles in their body because it is the natural thing to do to losen up. To be more flexible, to be prepared, at a moment’s notice,to move quickly. They can do this because they have made their body limber by stretching.
A muscle that is used infrequently begins to atrophy.
That is to say it becomes inactive and when the brain sends a message to this stiff muscle it may respond in the moment but it will let you know the next day how badly it feels (full bore). I think we can all relate to that one.
One of the things I do faithfully when I rise in the morning is stretch, every single day.
I will also stretch again during the day prior to doing something of a more physical nature. It makes a huge difference. I do not have stiff muscles, even though I have done very few “work-outs” in the last few years due to other commitments, I do stretch and I stay limber…just in case!
If you have health issues always speak with your doctor before beginning any new physical activity. I recommend the mayo clinic’s slide show of 10 basic stretches. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/SM00043&slide=2
So there you have it my friends, if I can do this at the age of 65 (if you haven’t read them here is part 1 and part 2) than so can you. Stretching (by the way) is good for all ages and if you can’t stretch all of your body, (because of physical limitations) stretch the parts you can. Your body will thank you for it.
Have a great day and keep stretching! Penny
Aging Well or The Fountain of Youth! – part 1
Today at the river!
This is a 5-part series on being young (thank you Chris9911) I’m hoping my readers will enjoy! There are 5 things that keep us young in life. Most important is our attitude about ourselves and our body.
The human body’s function of aging is about several kinds of things going on all at once. The mechanisms of the body (circulation, functioning of organs, hormonal activites, movements of skeletal and muscular structure and the synaptic energy of emitted thoughts and emotions from the brain) See wasn’t that easy (insert the word “huh?” here).
translation below (lol)
For most of us our body will do what we ask or need it to do subconsciously (blinking, processing thoughts,digesting food [burping lol], but what many of us aren’t aware is we have the capability of having much more control over the bodies functions than we are realize.
When we emote negativity the body feels it and becomes more sluggish. When we encounter tragedy or some 
other strong emotional event in our life we are at our greatest risk for illness (proven fact). When we are really happy, on the other hand, the body responds to that also and (believe it or not) your immune system becomes a little more capable of doing a better job for you.
So if it sounds like I’m saying we can accidently (key word there) make our bodies weaker with a negative attitude (BINGO) that is exactly what I’m saying! I am not saying that we can think ourselves well if we are sick, I am saying that with the right attitude we can improve the environment in our body so that our body wants to help itself get better.
Which brings me back to attitude and the aging thing. At a certain age people begin to start complaining about the various physical complaints in their body (usually it’s because they are less physical and perhaps some of their dietary habits aren’t what they could be. So I begin to hear these people say, “I’m getting old” with a million verbal variations on the theme.
This usually begins somewhere in the 40’s and progresses from there. Folks I gotta tell you, you are talking yourself into aging because your body is paying attention to what you are thinking and saying and your body obediently obeys the message you are sending to it (whether you are aware of this or not).
Some of the most vibrant and exciting people I have ever known are in their 80’s and 90’s+ and the thing that separated them from the flock of “over-the-hill” “old-timers” is they saw themselves as young and lived accordingly!
Simply put the greatest thing going for youthful longevity is the attitude you have about yourself, your body and how it ages! And I am a living testimony to that fact!
I am 65 yrs old, I have lived through disease, pain,the tragedy of multiple loss of loved ones and my attitude is still fundamentally unchanged – Live long and Prosper!
