Month: June 2024

If you’re like me, you love the sunshine that the summer season has to offer – especially after what has been a very dreary spring for many of us. Which means, you probably use general amounts of sunscreen.

Sunscreen in Your Bloodstream?

The Journal of the American Medical Association‘s study revealing that the chemicals in sunscreen seep into your bloodstream after just one day. Instead of sitting on top of your skin, those chemicals get absorbed in the bloodstream.

Remember when we used a reflector (horrors!) to speed up that tanned face? Or maybe you slathered baby oil all over to attract the brightest rays of summer right to your face and body, like I did. Well, those days are long gone, thankfully.

Summer Skin Care

Now we know the basics of summer skin
care for our mature, yet glowing skin:

• Wear a hat;
• Stay out of the harshest sun between 10am and 2pm;
• Long sleeves and long pants are the best protection;
• Stay in the shade.

And the #1 summer skincare routine is
the daily and multiple application of sunscreen… right? Yes, but with a new
appreciation for how to best protect your face and body from both the sun and
the chemicals in sunscreen.

The Research Around Using Chemical Sunscreen

After conducting their research, the scientists found that using sunscreen the approved way for just one day (applying about 1 ounce every 2 hours when in the sun) increased the amount of four chemical sunscreen active ingredients – avobenzone, ecamsule, octocrylene, and oxybenzone – in the bloodstream to levels the FDA says triggers the need for more testing, potentially raising concerns.

“The fact that an ingredient is
absorbed through the skin and into the body does not mean the ingredient is
unsafe,” says Theresa Michele, M.D., director of the FDA’s Division
of Nonprescription Drug Products and one of the study’s authors. “Rather,
this finding supports the FDA’s call to determine the safety of sunscreen
ingredients for repeated use.” 

While our skin isn’t a sponge, it’s certainly taking in some ingredients that we apply to our body and transporting them further down into the body where they may or may not make it into the bloodstream.

Benefits of Sunscreen

With or without the results of this
study, however, we must never stop using sunscreen. Sunscreen is important to
apply every day, and throughout the day. The best sunscreens offer a myriad of
important benefits, such as:

• Shielding us from the harmful UV rays.
• Lowering our risk of skin cancer.
• Preventing premature aging of our skin.
• Preventing sunburns.

Layer Your Sunscreen on Top

The question still remains though, of
how to use sunscreen without having it seep into our skin. After all, it’s
supposed to stay on it if it is to protect us.

The answer is simple. Apply your
sunscreen as the outermost layer of protection.

When we apply sunscreen on top of a face or body serum or moisturizer, we build an additional layer of protection. So, when the sun shines upon us, our first layer of skin protection is the sunscreen with all of its SPF.

Then, since the sunscreen sits as the
outermost layer protecting our skin, the layers beneath do not allow it to get
absorbed into our body.

The sequence that works for mature
facial skin is this:

• First goes your nourishing and hydrating facial serum, applied using some simple facial acupressure techniques.
• Then comes your moisturizer.
• Follow by applying your makeup.
• Finish with your sunscreen.

For your lovely mature body, first apply a toning and hydrating body serum or moisturizer, then follow with your sunscreen. Also, explore mineral sunscreens that will nurture your skin with natural ingredients. For example, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen.

Last by not least, always clean
your face and body before bed. Never sleep with anything on your skin
but your face and body serum or moisturizer. Let your pores refresh with the
rest that is so vital to your whole body.

Sunscreen absorption into the bloodstream is a relatively
new concept, and I’m sure more studies are in progress. Still, we should keep
in mind that everyone’s body chemistry is different, and we all react to
chemicals and beauty products differently.

On every gorgeous day, and each and
every day, protect your skin with care and enjoy your summer!

Also read, KEEP YOUR SKIN SAFE AND LOOK GREAT WITH THESE SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS THAT DOUBLE AS MAKEUP.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you protect your body in the summer? Do you use a sunscreen? Which one is your favorite? Please share in the comments below!

As you enter your 60s, embracing the beauty of aging becomes a focus. Taking care of your skin is essential, especially when it comes to combating skin issues like wrinkles. We’ve sifted through the numerous anti-aging (we prefer the term pro-aging) options to present you with a carefully selected list of the best wrinkle creams tailored for women over 60. 

Best wrinkle creams for women over 60:

1. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream – Known for its hydrating and anti-aging properties, it contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and amino-peptides.
2. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair – This product incorporates retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles while also providing hydration.
3. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream – Featuring retinol, this night cream is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles.
4. CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream – Contains ingredients like ceramides and peptides to support skin renewal and hydration.
5. L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Face Moisturizer – This cream includes pro-retinol and centella asiatica to address wrinkles and firm the skin.

Read on to discover our full list of wrinkle creams. 

These creams not only target fine lines but also cater to the unique needs of mature skin, helping you achieve a radiant complexion that reflects the richness of your life experiences. 

What to Look for in a Wrinkle Cream

When searching for the perfect wrinkle cream, it’s essential to consider several key factors to ensure you choose a product that suits the specific needs of your skin.

Ingredients

• Look for creams containing proven anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants.
• Retinol (vitamin A) helps stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Hyaluronic acid provides intense hydration, promoting plump and supple skin.
• Peptides support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production.

SPF Protection

Look for a wrinkle cream with added sun protection (SPF) to shield your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing further damage and premature aging.

Skin Type Compatibility

Consider your skin type and choose a wrinkle cream formulated for your specific needs, whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin.

Texture and Consistency

Select a cream with a texture and consistency that feels comfortable on your skin. Some prefer lightweight lotions, while others may opt for richer, more nourishing creams.

Clinical Studies and Reviews

• Look for products backed by clinical studies demonstrating their efficacy. 
• Read customer reviews to gauge real-life experiences and outcomes.

Fragrance-Free Options

Fragrances can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. If you have delicate skin, consider opting for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options.

Ease of Integration

Ensure the wrinkle cream fits seamlessly into your existing skincare routine. Consider factors such as application frequency and compatibility with other products you use.

Brand Reputation

Choose products from reputable brands with a history of producing effective skincare solutions. Research the brand’s reputation and commitment to quality.

Packaging

look for products in opaque or airtight packaging to preserve the stability and effectiveness of the active ingredients.

Price Point

While quality often comes with a price, consider your budget. There are effective wrinkle creams available at various price points, so find one that aligns with your financial preferences.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a wrinkle cream that not only addresses your specific skincare concerns but also enhances the overall health and appearance of your skin.

Best Wrinkle Creams for Women Over 60

Remember to consider your skin type, specific concerns, and any potential sensitivities when choosing an anti-wrinkle cream. 

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream stands out for its remarkable hydrating and anti-aging properties. Enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and amino-peptides, it provides intensive moisture, promoting skin renewal and elasticity. 

This potent formulation penetrates deeply, addressing fine lines and wrinkles to unveil a revitalized complexion. With a luxurious texture and proven results, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is a go-to solution for those seeking to restore and maintain youthful skin with a visibly smoother and more radiant appearance.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair is a standout product that skillfully combines the power of retinol with exceptional hydrating properties. Engineered to target fine lines and wrinkles, the inclusion of retinol accelerates skin renewal, promoting a smoother complexion. 

Simultaneously, its hydrating elements ensure the skin remains moisturized, creating a dynamic synergy that addresses aging concerns. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair is a reliable choice for those seeking a comprehensive solution to minimize signs of aging effectively.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is a specialized formula crafted with retinol to combat the visible signs of aging. Tailored for nighttime use, this cream works diligently to minimize the appearance of both fine lines and deep wrinkles. 

Its powerful retinol content encourages skin renewal, promoting a smoother and more youthful complexion. With consistent use, RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream proves to be a reliable ally in the quest for age-defying, radiant skin.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream is a rejuvenating skincare essential enriched with ceramides and peptides. This potent combination supports the skin’s natural renewal processes, contributing to improved texture and tone. 

Infused with nourishing ceramides, it enhances the skin’s barrier function, while peptides aid in promoting collagen production. With a focus on skin renewal and deep hydration, CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream is a reliable choice for achieving a revitalized and well-nourished complexion.

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Face Moisturizer

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Face Moisturizer is a dynamic skincare solution, combining the power of pro-retinol and centella asiatica. This potent blend is designed to effectively target wrinkles, supporting skin firmness and resilience. 

Pro-retinol aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines, while centella asiatica contributes to overall skin firmness. With a focus on both anti-wrinkle and firming benefits, this cream provides a comprehensive approach to achieving a visibly smoother and more youthful complexion.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex is an advanced serum meticulously crafted to combat the visible signs of aging. Tailored to reduce lines and wrinkles, this rich formula goes beyond surface improvements, promoting comprehensive skin repair. 

With a focus on enhancing skin resilience and texture, it delivers a multi-faceted approach to anti-aging, leaving your complexion renewed and revitalized with each application. 

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate is a powerhouse blend of retinol and antioxidants formulated to target wrinkles and enhance overall skin texture. Retinol stimulates skin renewal, reducing the appearance of fine lines, while antioxidants provide a protective shield against environmental stressors. 

This concentrated anti-aging solution from La Roche-Posay offers a thorough approach, visibly improving skin quality and promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion with consistent use. 

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is a skincare marvel enriched with the dynamic duo of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. This concentrated formula is specifically crafted to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Vitamin C brightens and rejuvenates the skin, while hyaluronic acid ensures optimal hydration, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion. 

Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter

Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter is a specialized cream meticulously formulated to address the effects of aging induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). This targeted approach aims to visibly improve the appearance of wrinkles and loss of firmness, common indicators of advanced aging. 

By counteracting the impact of AGEs, this skincare solution from Skinceuticals supports a more resilient and youthful complexion, providing a strategic defense against the visible signs of aging for a revitalized skin texture.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream is a peptide-rich moisturizer engineered to nourish and revitalize the skin. Formulated with an abundance of peptides, it actively supports collagen production, addressing fine lines and wrinkles. 

This powerful cream from Drunk Elephant provides comprehensive care, promoting skin elasticity and a smoother complexion. 

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you use wrinkle creams? Which brand is your favorite? Will you try one that is on our list? Tell us about it in the comments below.

It’s lovely to have a guest room in your home, but it can easily turn into yet another place to store things you rarely or never use.

What Gets Stored in Guest Rooms?

In this category fall clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in years. Also, other household items you can’t squeeze into any of the other storage areas of your home but don’t feel ready to part with just yet.

Guest bedrooms are also sometimes used as a place to hang washing to dry or to put laundry that is waiting to be ironed or folded.

Maybe it’s where you throw your yoga kit or sports equipment when it’s not in use? Or put items that need to be repaired?

Obviously, if you’re having a clutter clearing purge, where better to stash all the things you eventually plan to donate to charity?

The problem is that most items dumped in guest bedrooms tend to take up permanent residence there, so the room is never actually available for guests.

When a Guest Arrives to Stay

When an actual guest arrives to stay, you have some urgent choices to make. You can gather up all the things you have stashed in the room and temporarily put them elsewhere (usually, in your own bedroom, because that’s the area they are least likely to see).

You can remove some of your stuff to create just enough room for them to unpack their case and store their things. Or you can simply leave everything as it is and expect your guest to put up with it.

The problem is not unique to private homes. A surprising number of landlords wantonly inflict their clutter on paying guests, too.

You won’t see it shown in any of the photos advertising the property, but when you start opening cupboards and drawers, they may very well be filled with the owner’s belongings, especially in holiday lets and Airbnb.

An immaculate one-bedroom apartment my husband and I recently stayed in turned out to have nowhere at all to store our clothes. When we asked why the closet was locked, the landlady admitted it was full of her own things. She had run out of space in her home next door and couldn’t resist using the storage area for herself.

How to Prevent Guest Room Clutter Creep

The best strategy of all is to pretend the guest room doesn’t exist. Nothing gets stored in there. It’s a clutter-free zone, only for guests.

This means that if your personal belongings won’t fit in the storage space you have available in the rest of your home, you’ve got some clutter clearing to do. And, if ever you find yourself tempted to put something in the guest room “just for now,” think again. Make it off-limits, out of bounds, strictly verboten.

“But I only have guests once or twice a year,” you may say (and even more rarely lately). “Surely, I can use the room the rest of the time?”

Well, it’s your decision. Still, clutter of any kind stored in your home will affect you in some way. The stagnant energy that accumulates around it will cause you to feel stuck in some aspect of your life.

Moreover, guest bedrooms are usually stuffed full of things you never use anyway. If you didn’t do this, would you have guests more often?

Many studies have shown that social interaction of the face-to-face kind is an important key to living a happier, longer life. In 2010, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychologist at Brigham Young University, Utah, undertook a review of 148 of these studies, involving 308,000 people over a 7.5 year period.

Her very revealing, and somewhat surprising conclusion was that having a close circle of friends, neighbours or relatives gives a 50% better survival rate than taking more exercise, losing weight, giving up alcohol or quitting smoking. In other words, close relationships make life worth living.

So, the choice is yours ­– your clutter or your friends?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have a guest room where you store things? Does it make you think twice before inviting friends or relatives to stay? Please join the discussion below.

When a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living, visiting regularly is an important way to stay connected and show how much you care. Spending time with you will brighten their day and knowing when you’ll visit next gives them something to look forward to.

But some people may find it awkward or uncomfortable to visit because they don’t know what to do or say. Having some ideas in mind and bringing activities with you can make visiting fun and positive.

To make your next visit a big success, we’ve rounded up 10 fantastic, senior-friendly things to do with someone in a nursing home or assisted living.

Many of these activities are equally as good for seniors who are seriously ailing or have Alzheimer’s or dementia. Your visits can be incredibly supportive and meaningful, even if they can’t participate much or don’t remember it later – their feelings of happiness and contentment will stay with them.

Keep Them Connected with Family

Seniors living in a care community can get lonely because they have so little contact with family. Use your visit as a chance to keep them connected and reassure them that they’re not forgotten.

To keep them in touch with family members, you could bring visitors with you – especially children, teens, or someone who might feel too awkward to visit on their own. For family members who live far away, arrange video chats or phone calls so they also have a chance to virtually visit with your loved one.

When bringing children to visit, you might want to bring a puzzle, art project or simple game so they’ll have something fun to do with your loved one. A shared activity helps them bond and keeps everyone happily engaged.

Another idea is to encourage a young child to bring something for “show and tell.” This way they can share toys, etc. they’re excited about. Sharing videos of the kids’ activities is another fun way to spend time together. Everyone could watch a video of a soccer game, school play or other event together.

Sharing current photos and videos is another way to keep your loved one in the loop on everyday family activities or trips. They’ll especially enjoy watching videos of the kids. You could even share Facebook feeds to show what family members have been up to lately.

When possible, include your loved one in family celebrations. If they’re able to attend in person, you could help them get excited about the event by telling them about the planning or asking for their input on food, music or decor. At the event, take plenty of pictures so you can share and revisit the fun times during future visits.

Enjoy Music Together

Music has a universal ability to boost mood, reduce agitation and increase happiness and engagement. It’s also a wonderful activity to share with your loved one.

When you’re together, play their favorite songs or set up a simple music player so they can listen anytime. You could sit and listen together, have an impromptu sing along or listen as they reminisce over memories from younger days.

If you’re not sure what music they enjoy, ask relatives or bring a selection of songs that came out when they were young, and ask them which ones they like most.

Music is also an ideal activity when your loved one isn’t well or has reached a stage of their illness where they can only lie in bed. Soft music is calming, comforting and something you can still do together.

If you’re not sure they’re enjoying the music, watch their body language for clues. If they seem agitated, switch to something more soothing, lower the sound, or switch to a different activity.

Reminisce Over Old Pictures

Looking over old photos or videos is a great way to spend time together and strengthen your bond. You never know what stories or memories your loved one will be inspired to share. Photos are also a great conversation starter.

If you and your loved one would be interested in a project, you could even work on creating a family tree or family history – something that’s both fun and meaningful!

Bring a Furry Friend Along

Petting a dog or stroking a cat is a highly therapeutic activity. The next time you visit, why not bring your pet with you? If your loved one is an animal lover, they’d probably be overjoyed to spend time with an animal, especially a beloved family pet.

Research has found that spending time playing with animals lowers heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels. In the long run, interacting with a pet can even lower cholesterol, prevent depression and protect against heart disease and stroke.

But before you bring a pet, check with the care community to make sure furry visitors are allowed.

Eat a Meal or Snack Together

We all enjoy companionship when we eat. Whether you join them in their community dining room or take them out to a restaurant, sharing a meal is another way to bond with your loved one.

If mealtime isn’t the right time for a visit, you could still have a snack together. Bring a little “picnic” set up of tea and cookies, crackers and cheese, or something your loved one really loves. You could even jazz it up with a mock cocktail – add sparkling juice or bubbly water to lemonade, juice or iced tea, and put it in a nice glass!

Get Some Fresh Air

You can also use the opportunity to help your loved one get some fresh air and exercise. Instead of staying in their room, take them outside to the courtyard or garden. That could mean walking slowly and supporting them as needed, or pushing their wheelchair.

If the care community doesn’t have a suitable outdoor area, walking around inside the building is still a great activity – and good for their health.

Take Them on Short Outings

Going out can be a treat for someone living in a nursing home or assisted living. If their health permits, a wonderful thing to do for your loved one is to pick them up, and take them anywhere they’d like to go.

They might enjoy going to religious services, the hair salon, a drugstore or the shopping mall. Or, maybe they’d enjoy eating at favorite restaurants, getting some ice cream, strolling through a museum or park, or taking a scenic drive. You could also take them to visit nearby friends or family members.

Discuss this idea with your loved one to see if they’d be interested. Some people may want to go out, but need your help to choose where to go. Offering two options is often helpful – shall we take a walk in the park or visit the ice cream shop?

Give a Massage or Manicure

Many people in nursing homes and assisted living would benefit from the therapeutic effects of touch. Depending on your relationship with your loved one, some pampering may be a great way to spend an afternoon.

You could bring some lightly scented lotion and give them a gentle hand massage or bring some tools and give them a manicure. Women may even enjoy some nail polish.

Some people enjoy a good body massage. Consider giving a gentle massage while they sit in their usual chair. Use a very light touch (senior skin and muscles may be fragile) and massage their neck, shoulders, back and arms – wherever you can reach.

Read Aloud

Another fantastic activity is reading aloud. It’s a great way to connect and let them know how much you care without having to make a lot of conversation.

Reading aloud is especially good for older adults who are bedbound, not very responsive due to an advanced health condition or those with vision impairments.

Bring one of their favorite books, and read a chapter or two each time you visit. Or, you could bring an audiobook that both of you could listen to together.

Watch a TV Show or Movie

Watching TV or a movie is something we often do with friends and family – why not do it with your loved one at the nursing home? It’s another way to spend time together without feeling so much pressure to make conversation.

If your older adult has a TV in their room, consider getting them a DVD player so you can watch movies. If you have a laptop computer or tablet device and subscribe to a service like Netflix, you could watch whatever you like on-demand.

Ask them what they’d like to see – perhaps there are older movies or shows they’d love to watch again. Or, maybe there are current shows you know they’d love to see. No matter what you watch, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are any of your loved ones currently in a nursing home or assisted living facility? What do you and your loved one enjoy doing together when you visit them? What ideas or suggestions would you add to this list? Please share your comments below.

This past month I entered into my seventh decade and realized that some of the passions of my youth might be shifting or taking another form. I’m a little burnt out with writing and would love to try something new, but I’m not sure what that is. I’m being open-minded about what it may be, and I’ve been investigating different avenues.

Living with Passion

Having passion is the fuel that inspires us to wake up in the morning. Discovering and claiming our passion is about knowing what we love to do, which can have a powerful effect on our lives. If what we are doing does not make us happy, then it might be time to evaluate and recalibrate what would elicit the most joy.

Living out what we were meant to do with our lives can lead to a sense of bliss, which may be about ridding ourselves of habits, situations, and relationships that no longer serve us and replacing them with those that do. Finding our calling is about bringing into our lives all those things that bring out our potential and help us live life to the fullest.

There have been many articles written on finding our passion or life calling. Different terms have been used to explain this concept. In ancient times, the Romans called it genius, Greek philosophers called it the daimon, and Christians called it the guardian angel.

The American Psychologist James Hillman who passed away in 2011, used even more words to describe one’s sense of calling, such as fate, character, image, soul, and destiny, depending upon the context. Hillman also coined the term following your bliss, which is another way of saying that you should follow the path that brings you joy in order to get the most out of life. I wrote more about this in my book, Writing for Bliss.

Do We Know Our Life Passions?

By the time we arrive in our sixth and seventh decades, we are well aware of our life passions. Some of us knew our passions from an early age, and they were carried with us across our lifespan. Others might have changed life passions a few times during the course of their lives.

Since a young age, I knew my passion and calling was for writing. This passion began in the 1960s when my mother handed me a Kahlil Gibran journal to help me cope with the death of my grandmother, who was my primary caretaker. Kahlil Gibran was an American writer, poet and philosopher who died in 1931. His words had a huge influence on me during adolescence. Also, receiving that journal was a pivotal moment for me; I realized when I was writing, my heart was singing. That’s how I knew that writing was a career path for me.

Many people who sign up for my writing workshops are often in the midst of some life transition or are at a crossroads where they’re unsure what they want to do with their lives. One of the first prompts I give participants is to write about an important memory from their childhoods. Most often they write about a life-changing event.

The second prompt is to write about what brought them joy as a child. Sometimes, but not always, this sense of joy is connected to what might bring them happiness as an adult. Perhaps a lived experience from childhood served as a springboard for their life passion, profession, or theme. Certainly, this was the case for me.

Finding Happiness in What We Do

As the daughter of two immigrants who worked long hours, I was often left to fend for myself. I spent a lot of time in my room reading and writing. Children’s passions are often reinforced by the adults in their world, and at school and at home, I received accolades for my writing. This encouraged me to write even more. Sometimes it’s a good idea to look back upon our childhoods, reflect on where we received praise and encouragement, and determine if that’s where our happiness may lie.

When I sit down to write, there are higher forces that speak to me, and sometimes while writing I enter into a trance – I transcend universes where the deepest of creative forces are at play.

When I studied psychology in graduate school, I learned that those who are deeply passionate about something have an urgent need to make a change in the world or to serve humanity. They are possessed by their passion. Mine was teaching others through writing. Once we open our eyes and are aware of what brings us joy, the universe will send opportunities our way. As my own experience shows, following one’s bliss usually involves connecting to our life theme. It is also a key component in achieving a sense of well-being.

Looking for a New Passion

Here are some ways that we can find or figure out our newest passion:

1. Think about what natural talents you have or what you would love to do if you chose to reinvent yourself.
2. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals or those whose ideas or passions resonate with you.
3. Be mindful about what annoys you and what makes you happy.
4. Think about an activity during which you might lose track of time. Chances are it’s connected to a passion.
5. Maintain a clear and open emotional state by engaging in self-care through meditation, exercise, spending time in nature, and setting intentions.
6. Think about your favorite movies, books and music and note the common thread that runs through each. This might connect to a life passion.
7. Ask close friends to describe or tell you, what poet Mary Oliver asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What has been your life passion to date? Have you ever considered changing it? What would you change it to, if you were deciding to reinvent yourself?