Month: August 2024

Happy Grandparents Day, everyone!

A few years ago, I wrote about the vital role grandparents play in creating a better world. Older adults possess unique skills and wisdom to share with younger generations. We also have a duty to leave the world in better shape than we found it.

The article generated a great discussion and was well-received. However, some community members felt the focus on grandparents left out those without grandchildren. They wondered if Grandparents Day had anything to offer them.

I want to address this concern directly as we approach Grandparents Day 2024, on September 8th. Grandparents Day should celebrate the unique contributions of all older adults, not just those with grandchildren.

Throughout history and across cultures, elders have been revered for their wisdom and experience. Unfortunately, this respect has diminished in recent years. We need to change how society views the role of older adults in making the world a better place.

Celebrating Grandparents Day Starts with Grandparents

It’s true that grandparents naturally focus their energy on their grandchildren. They share wisdom, provide emotional support, and offer unique experiences. Grandparents are there when their grandchildren need them most. Whether it’s teaching a beloved family recipe, sharing stories from the past, or providing a steady hand during tough times, grandparents have a profound impact on their grandchildren’s lives.

But It Doesn’t Stop There!

Older adults without grandchildren also play crucial roles. They can mentor young people, volunteer at schools, or support charities that make a difference. Their contributions are just as valuable. 

For instance, programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters and local mentoring initiatives provide opportunities for older adults to guide and support the younger generation. 

Many older adults also engage in community projects, environmental conservation efforts, and advocacy for social justice, demonstrating their commitment to creating a better world for all.

Highlighting Inspiring Stories

To emphasize the diverse contributions of older adults, let’s highlight some inspiring stories. Take, for example, Maria, a retired teacher who volunteers at a local literacy program, helping children improve their reading skills. Or John, a former engineer who now mentors young adults entering the tech industry, offering guidance and career advice. These individuals, and countless others, show that you don’t need to be a biological grandparent to make a significant impact.

Creating Intergenerational Bonds

Grandparents Day is also an opportunity to foster intergenerational connections. Many communities host events where older adults can share their knowledge and experiences with younger people. These events can include storytelling sessions, craft workshops, or joint community service projects. Such interactions help bridge the gap between generations, promoting mutual understanding and respect.

The Health Benefits of Staying Engaged

Engaging with younger generations benefits the recipients and has profound positive effects on older adults themselves. Studies have shown that older adults who remain active and involved in their communities experience better mental and physical health. They report higher levels of happiness, lower rates of depression, and a greater sense of purpose. 

For example, volunteering and mentoring can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common challenges among the elderly. Staying active in these ways can also improve cognitive function and overall well-being.

Building a Legacy of Love and Wisdom

One of the most beautiful aspects of Grandparents Day is the opportunity to reflect on the legacy older adults leave behind. Grandparents, mentors, and community leaders impart values, traditions, and life lessons that resonate through generations. 

This legacy is not just about family heirlooms or stories passed down; it’s about the enduring impact of their love, kindness, and guidance. By celebrating Grandparents Day, we honor the lasting influence of older adults and encourage future generations to appreciate and continue this legacy.

Practical Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day

There are many ways to honor and celebrate the contributions of older adults on Grandparents Day:

Host a Community Event

Organize a local event where older adults can share their talents, stories, and wisdom with younger generations.

Volunteer Together

Encourage families to volunteer at local charities or community projects, promoting intergenerational collaboration.

Create a Tribute

Use social media to highlight stories of older adults making a difference. Share photos, videos, and personal anecdotes to celebrate their contributions.

Intergenerational Activities

 Plan activities such as gardening, cooking, or art projects that bring together older adults and young people.

Support Elderly Neighbors

Reach out to elderly neighbors who may be isolated, offering companionship and assistance with daily tasks.

This Year, Let’s Celebrate All Older Adults

On Grandparents Day 2024, let’s thank all older adults who contribute to the future. Celebrate the grandmas and grandpas who teach, nurture, entertain, and guide their grandkids. And let’s also recognize the millions of amazing older adults who make the world better in their own unique ways.

Join the Conversation:

Do you have grandkids? What do you love about being a grandparent? Do you agree that all older adults who positively impact young lives should be celebrated on Grandparents Day? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

I have had the pleasure of speaking to and mentoring students from grade school to college age, as well as young professionals living in different parts of the United States and the world. Each time my interactions leave me reassured that the world is not only in good hands but will do better under their guidance.

Oh, you say, what about all the news articles citing mental health issues and addiction to social media with its disinformation? What about drug use? Riots and social upheaval? Yes, those and many other problems must be addressed. What gives me reassurance? My personal experiences. Here are some examples of ways to engage with Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012.

Junior Achievement

My first experience with mentoring was through Junior Achievement. For those of you not familiar with this program, Junior Achievement uses hands-on programs both in a school classroom and in onsite facilities to teach “market-based economics and entrepreneurship.”

In Illinois, I worked with a group of students to select a product, then manufacture, market, and sell it. Each student had a major role in the company and regular financial reports were required. My JA company sold Chex-Mix. The high school students I worked with were excited, eager to learn, creative, and respectful.

After I moved to Arizona, I volunteered with JA in their facility where a mini town was set up, complete with radio station, grocery store, bank, insurance company, travel agent, utility company, etc., along with a mayor and city officials.

Fifth-grade students spent a day in Biz Town after classroom preparation. The excited students arrived with their JA checkbooks and assignments and had such fun running his/her store and spending their JA paychecks. Oh, the companies had to pay regular bills, so it was possible to run a deficit. Great learning experiences!

UNCW

When I lived in Wilmington, North Carolina I had the opportunity to get involved with several programs on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. One was a mentoring program for women. I was assigned a young girl from Tanzania whose intention was to attend law school as had an older sister.

Although very shy at first, I got to know her as we enjoyed time together on campus, in the community, and in my home. This young lady opened my eyes to a different part of our world and the additional struggles a young girl from Africa must overcome to survive and thrive. Her confidence and determination inspired me.

The business school at UNCW also had a mentoring program for its senior students. Matches were made with volunteers from the business community. I had my own financial planning firm at the time and was matched with two students.

I invited each to spend a day with me in my office and demonstrated my planning process – how I gathered information, used software to help me analyze it, researched to fill in gaps or gather options, made recommendations, and developed a presentation. Both students were guests in my home, and I am still in contact with one who selected a career in the financial world.

Rotary

When I lived in Wilmington, I was a Rotary International member. The mission of Rotary is: “to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”

My Rotary group took part in an international program to bring young professionals from other countries to the United States to spend time with someone with a similar career. Although I was not matched as a financial planner, a young lady from Bolivia stayed in my home.

She was doing research on a disease common in her country that is carried by insects. She was matched with a local pharmacist as I recall. I am still in touch with her via Facebook and our friendship inspired me to learn more about Bolivia. Growth and learning and understanding go both ways!

World Academy for the Future of Women

I found out about this group through a friend. It was founded by an incredible woman in Arizona to “advance and accelerate women’s leadership worldwide.” At the time I went through their facilitator training, the programs of the Academy were only available in China. Now they are engaged with Mexico, India, Uganda, and Kenya, and look forward to adding other countries. The organization now has Consultancy Status with the United Nations.

In China, the Academy is located on the campus of SIAS International University in Xinzhen, China (Henan Province). Volunteers with the Academy teach classes on various topics over a 5-week period. They live and eat on campus.

Because volunteers are responsible for their own airfare and incidentals, I was not able to complete a volunteer stint. However, I mentored two Chinese students via email and Facetime. What incredible young ladies! They are so anxious to learn about the world, and develop leadership skills to discover “their passion, purpose and path to success.”

Luther College

More recently, I spent a couple of hours with a group of students at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa to talk about the basics of investing. My presentation was not required and yet almost all who were a part of the sponsoring campus program attended. Their questions showed that they listened, understood, and wanted to learn as much as possible. They took full advantage of the opportunity!

These are just a few of my experiences. There are so many ways that a person, whether a professional or a retiree, can find to interact with Gen Z. The opportunities might be related to your passion, or they might be more general in nature. If you are a member of a service organization, start your research there.

Many colleges and universities welcome volunteers and even sponsor programs for their students to interact with the community. If you are interested in travel or want to learn more about the world, focus your research on international programs.

What impressed me most about my volunteer interactions? The attitudes of the students! In each case the young people involved were excited, they wanted to learn and to be better world citizens. They were eager to undertake new experiences and find solutions to problems. They asked great questions that challenged me to give answers that would encourage them to ask more questions. They were determined to succeed and were not deterred by roadblocks.

If you want reassurance about the world’s future, look for programs and opportunities to interact with Gen Z. If your experience is like mine, you will benefit as much as those being served! You can also ask yourself these 6 questions before you decide volunteering is for you.

Reader Questions:

Have you ever been a mentor? If so, what was your experience? Did you come away excited about the future or worried? Why?

The time for excuses is over. In this article I will discuss the 6 top mindsets you have to overcome if it is weight loss you are looking for. And not just weight loss, but sustained weight loss.

Vision, goal and take action, that is my motto.

Stop Trying to Emulate Others

Find out what works for your body and what does not.

Do not make the mistake that many people make when they try to copy their idol. These people may make random comments like “spirulina changed my life.” The result is a massive increase in spirulina sales. Yet, spirulina may not suit everyone.

I know when I tried spirulina, I was so constipated after 4 days, I felt like I had swallowed a brick. Since I had sufficient iron levels already, adding spirulina to my daily routine did not suit my constitution at all.

You will know when a food or diet program suits you when you gain energy and vitality as opposed deprivation and irritability.

You Already Have the Tools You Need at Hand

Stop with the excuses and start looking for ways around any obstacles that may be a hindrance to your success.

Don’t have any money? Going for a run is free. Not sporty? Take up walking, even just 10 minutes a day. Step outside your front door and get started. Need weights for your arms? Carry a 500ml water bottle in each hand.

Once you have made a start, no matter what level, you can raise the level of exercise from one week to the next.

There Will Be Pain

I am not going to sugar coat this point. Of course there will be pain, or else you would have made changes to your lifestyle long ago.

I liken myself to a fat person living in a thin body. Yes, you heard me correctly. I am just like a reformed alcoholic who is only a drink away from falling off the wagon. If I find myself wandering from my usual eating habits, I will fall off the wagon. Then I am on the slippery slope to obesity once again.

When I first stopped eating processed foods like brown pasta and breads, I felt miserable. I would crave these foods. But instinctively I knew that I had to work through the initial pain.

Having cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner was a carb overload that did not suit my body. Where was the fruit and vegetables in all this? When I first stopped eating processed foods and introduced a diet comprising more fruit and vegetables, the withdrawals were severe. I had to send my husband and children away for a weekend!

After two days of giving up on the foods I stupidly cherished, I woke up with such clarity and energy. I knew that I had overcome the worst days and the future was going to be okay. The pain was gone and was replaced with enthusiasm and strength to move on.

Do What You Love and Modify Things You Don’t Like to Do

Is your aim to lose weight or improve your exercise endurance but you don’t like joining a gym? Then find something that you enjoy. There may be a walking club in your area. Perhaps you can explore other possibilities. Why not consider line dancing, pole dancing (keep an open mind here), or water aerobics?

Even if you have a regular exercise regime, it is always important to break your routine. This will give your body a change of scenery. Do you take the same walk to the bus stop every morning, or while out walking the dog at night? Try to vary your route and you will be amazed at what you discover.

See something new and pay attention to it. This is the way your body reacts to a new exercise regime. Different muscles may be activated, reigniting your body.

Stay Positive

There will be bad days as well as good.

When I decided that it was time to lose weight and no longer be trapped in the obese body I was encased in, the journey was not all smooth sailing. There were times I would look at my husband with envy and anger. He is one of those rare people who actually has trouble gaining weight. He does not have to watch what he eats and never has to worry about his weight.

Being angry with him served me no purpose. It was only making me miserable. So I decided to concentrate on my own journey. When the weight started to go down, and clothes shopping became easier, the journey was that much sweeter because I had earned it.

Develop a Plan by Visualizing Your Goal

There are 3 steps that you must take if you want to achieve your plan. These are vision, goal and action.

Vision

This is self-explanatory. You want to visualize yourself as being slimmer than you are now. You can do it. You must create a vision about want you want to be able to do, not what you can do.

Goal

Whether it is an upcoming wedding or your own birthday party, having a goal to work towards is a great tool. For me, goals kept changing as I lost weight. At first I thought it would be great to look good for an upcoming family reunion. I aimed to lose 5kg for that event that was one month away. Once I started losing the weight, I knew I could achieve even more.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would lose the 25kg that I did. Breaking it down into achievable goals allowed to me achieve what I originally thought was impossible.

Action

Vision without action will get you nowhere fast! This is where the hard work begins. The first step is the hardest. But once you have made the first step the journey becomes easier. There may be a few bumps along the way to keep you on top of your toes. This is where you have to find a program that suits your style and way of life.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your vision, goals and action on your weight loss journey? What changes would you make? Are you looking to lose weight or perhaps start up a new exercise program? Please join the conversation!

Finding creative insight for planning our lives can sometimes be tricky. Sometimes we are simply too involved and too close to our situation. A bit of mental distance can help you find more original ideas and thinking.

So, imagine meeting your 90-year-old self, who has travelled back in time. What would this wise oldie from the future advise you?

Imagining how your experienced 90-year-old future self gives you advice, will help you to create psychological distance. This exercise allows you to shift your perspective and to see approaches you might otherwise overlook.

What insights would your time travelling advisor share?

Start from the Finish

When we start from the finish, we have the opportunity to align our lives with what we want to be remembered for and stay true to our personal values as we go through the journey of life.

This exercise is a powerful tool. It is all very well to say you have to dream, but some of us don’t even know what our dreams are and can’t say exactly what they want from life. By writing a letter from your future self, you can help yourself to tap into the issues and achievements that are important. The letter from the future helps you create a bright future for yourself priming you to notice opportunities. Once you set these expectations for yourself, you are more likely to achieve them.

Just having a vision or a dream of a future life is not enough to get us there. We need to set goals and targets and chart our progress towards them

Writing yourself a letter allows you to look at all aspects of your life and identify the things that are important to you.

Writing down your goals from the perspective of the future – as if you’ve already succeeded in achieving them – is surprisingly therapeutic.

Writing a letter from your future self will challenge you to think about who you are and who you want to be. This exercise can be extremely emotionally freeing and will help you to think critically about how you might choose to live now.

How Do You Write a Letter from Your Future Self?

• Write it as an actual letter.
• Be honest – it’s a pointless exercise otherwise!
• Refer to yourself as ‘you’.
• Be compassionate and empathic.
• Tell yourself what you wish someone had told you.
• Take your time. It does not have to be completed in one sitting, and in fact, the exercise would benefit from having a sleep or two on it.

Ask Yourself the Following Sorts of Questions

• How would I like to be remembered?
• How would I like to have spent my time?
• Who do I want to have been?
• Where do I want to have been?
• What do I want to have done?
• Who do I want to have been with?
• Which hobbies have I developed?
• What friends do I still see?
• What kind of new friends have I developed?
• In what sorts of places did I meet these new friends?

Read through your letter. Do you want to make any changes?

Further Questions

Then ask yourself these further questions:

• Are you on track to reach your goals and desired achievements?
• What changes do you need to make right now to make your letter a reality?
• What are the first steps?
• What resources do you need?
• How will your strengths help you?
• How will your weaknesses hinder you?
• What steps could you take today?

This exercise is about looking back at the person you were with the information you have now in the future. It will give you a focus on what advice you would give your past self.

Yet Another Batch of Questions

• What are some of the main things you have learned?
• What should your past self look out for?
• What is the best advice you could give you past self?
• What would you tell yourself to get through some of the challenges that you have faced?
• What would you tell yourself about your successes and the way you dealt with them?
• What kind of people have helped along the way?
• What kind of people made life harder?
• Who do you wish you had spent more time with?
• Of the advice you have given to your past self, how much of it are you following today?
• How could you follow that advice better?
• What else can you take away and better apply to your life and your immediate future?

Take as much time as you need to answer these questions.

It’s All About Your Hopes and Dreams

Looking to the future is a hopeful thing to do. By writing yourself a letter from the future you are encouraging yourself to make quite explicit the hopes and dreams that you carry around inside you. Once you have set them down on paper they are harder to ignore. Of course, your wishes, your dreams, your desires may change, but by writing down your hopes you breathe life into them and move yourself close to realising them.

Dreams on their own are not enough, but they are a starting point. Your dreams are the vision that you need to make a plan and start building.

The letter from the future is for you. You can use it to explore any part of your life. You need never show it to anyone. The closer you can get to your real feelings, the greater result you will experience.

Further read, Letter To My Younger Self.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

When was the last time you wrote a letter to yourself? Was it to a past or future self? What did you write about? If you were to write such a letter today, what would you include?

To all you wonderful dreamers out there. Dream on.

Spend your days daydreaming of what might have been… or what could still be. Spend your nights sleep-dreaming of all the incredible hopes and wishes you have for the future. 

Anything is possible. As Walt Disney famously said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Play out scenarios in your mind of wonderful times of days gone by, of future loves, picnics in the park, swimming in the lake, dancing in the dark, building a business, writing a song. Dream on, you lovers of life. Why spend your days worried and anxious when you could be walking through the grass barefoot, sipping chilled champagne, planning your glorious future and living your best life?

A Dreamer at School

When I was at school, I was often referred to as a dreamer. It was meant to inspire me to listen and work harder, but I took it as a compliment and carried on dreaming. I wasn’t interested in algebra or trigonometry, things I would probably never use, but I was interested in the beauty of words. I would lay my head on my desk and dream up poems or stories, imagining a wonderful world of make-believe. My teachers said I would get nowhere.

But I kept on dreaming. 🙂

Falling in Love

Dream of first kisses and falling in love, the butterflies and skipping heartbeat and that wonderful feeling of a new, exciting future. Who knows where it will lead? Spare a tiny thought for the one who got away, still safely tucked in a little corner of your heart.

New Lives

Recall those first flutters in your tummy as you experienced the miracle of new life. Remember that immense rush of emotions as your slippery, splattered newborn filled your heart with untold love. Their reddened, scrunched up face – as beautiful as anything you have ever laid eyes on.

Remember the days on the beach with children wrapped in soft towels after splashing in the sea, tired and snuggly in your arms. Recall the hours spent playing in the garden and the sleepy bedtime stories, wrapped in each other’s arms, on days you never wanted to end.

Smile at the teenage tantrums and slamming of doors, before a sorry note or smile is begrudgingly given. Wonder at your beautiful baby growing into a gangly teenager, with thoughts of their own, and arguments to match.

Empty Nest

Shed a tear at the empty nest and the realisation that your baby is all grown. It is what seems like moments before they have babies of their own. The wonderful cycle of life. This big old wheel keeps on turning.

Dream of new lives growing and know the love you experience is so much more than you could ever have imagined. This precious little being who will one day soon call you grandma. Who will steal your heart and keep you younger than any pill your doctor could prescribe.

Dreams Are Your Past and Future

Wrap your dreams in the softest tissue paper and fold them neatly to store in your heart, for tough days to come. They surely will. When age and weariness take over, they will be your comfort. When tears of love and happiness trickle down your cheeks, remember your dreams. They are both your past and your future.

Good Company

Dreamers are in good company, with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous speech, ‘I have a dream…’ and Albert Einstein who was said to have discovered the theory of relativity in a dream. Thomas Edison credited his discovery of electricity to his dreams, Bob Dylan composed music from his dreams, and Paul McCartney attributed the lyrics of ‘Yesterday’ to his dreams. We are ok, us dreamers.

Dream a little dream.

Join the Conversation:

Are you a dreamer? Did dreaming have a big effect on your life? Do you know someone who’s dreams turned into reality?