Reached that point in life when you’ve begun to think you will never: Make a million dollars. Be a rock star. Hike to the top of Mt. Everest. Earn a black belt. Win an Oscar. Go skydiving. Become a concert pianist. Win the Nobel.
The Nobel and the Oscar could be tough, but is everything else really off the table? If you have always wanted to be a goldsmith, is there a reason why you can’t apprentice yourself to a goldsmith and learn the trade? Ask yourself what you’d like to be doing right now if you weren’t still working or now that you are retired. It might be the thing you wanted to do when you got out of college, but you had to get a job instead. Learn welding and become a metal sculptor; write poetry; compose music with GarageBand; learn computer programming; take a trip to Nepal (maybe forget about climbing any mountains); try the clarinet – again; get a graduate degree; teach school; join the Peace Corps; volunteer to work at a hospital or with young children; or if all these things sound too ambitious, you could just sit back and do nothing
Conventional wisdom would tell you that a 57 year-old would have a tough time breaking into the ranks of concert pianists, but it’s not impossible. I’ve read about many men and women achieving great things in their later years. There’s the writer who gets her first novel published when she’s sixty. Or the former President who first skydives at the age of 80. At the age of 60, Jack LaLanne swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman's Wharf. Handcuffed. Towing a 1,000-pound boat. John Milton was blind and composing poems in his head when he created Paradise Lost. Paul Newman was 70 when he became the oldest driver to be part of a winning team at 24 Hours of Daytona.
Are these people special, extraordinary, unique? I don’t think so. I think they are motivated and the achievement follows. I think that making the decision to pursue a dream is the first step, and that the preparation that follows is the second step. After that, it hardly matters whether you make it to the finish line or the top of the mountain. You’ve already won.
Jay Harrison is a graphic designer and writer whose work can be seen at BoomSpeak. He's written a mystery novel, which therefore makes him a pre-published author.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Me, Jane
This past weekend I took a trip down memory lane. Actually it was more like a stumble. I was going through some old photographs and as I was reliving my life in pictures, it hit me--I had become something I never wanted to be--50 and frumpy. Plain and simple, I let myself go.
One picture I found really struck me. It was of one of my best college buddies and me. There we were in all our collegiate glory--chiseled cheekbones, glowing skin, lustrous hair and single digit-sized bodies. We were fresh off of diets and looking good. I e-mailed her the picture with a note, “Look how skinny we were!” She wrote back, “Yeah, and I thought I was fat!” Me too. If only I appreciated how good I looked and felt instead of obsessing over losing another five pounds. Just like youth, thinness is wasted on the young.
In my twenties and thirties, I had this fantasy of reaching middle age and still being hip---not in an obnoxious age inappropriate way, but in a classy Jane Fonda sort of way. Somewhere along the way I got too comfortable. It all started with a day here and there without make-up followed by an extra week or two between touching up the roots. Then came running to the store in baggy t-shirts and ratty shorts. The chocolate binges didn’t help either. And here I am, looking like a prime candidate for one of those makeover shows. Instead of gliding gracefully into middle age, I slipped on a banana peel and slid face first into old ladydom.
It’s funny, now that I’ve gotten older, I look at myself with completely different eyes. I’ve packed on way too many pounds, yet I don’t always see myself as fat. That is until I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection on my car door or when I can’t button my favorite jacket. These moments of painful self-realization are often followed by periods of self-improvement. Not in the intense, obsessive way of that girl I was in college, but in the kinder, gentler way of the woman who cares more about herself and less of what others think of her.
So today I’ll walk a block further. And tomorrow I’ll eat a little less. And the next day I’ll pay a little more attention to picking out my clothes. And so on and so on until I’m the Jane I was meant to be.
One picture I found really struck me. It was of one of my best college buddies and me. There we were in all our collegiate glory--chiseled cheekbones, glowing skin, lustrous hair and single digit-sized bodies. We were fresh off of diets and looking good. I e-mailed her the picture with a note, “Look how skinny we were!” She wrote back, “Yeah, and I thought I was fat!” Me too. If only I appreciated how good I looked and felt instead of obsessing over losing another five pounds. Just like youth, thinness is wasted on the young.
In my twenties and thirties, I had this fantasy of reaching middle age and still being hip---not in an obnoxious age inappropriate way, but in a classy Jane Fonda sort of way. Somewhere along the way I got too comfortable. It all started with a day here and there without make-up followed by an extra week or two between touching up the roots. Then came running to the store in baggy t-shirts and ratty shorts. The chocolate binges didn’t help either. And here I am, looking like a prime candidate for one of those makeover shows. Instead of gliding gracefully into middle age, I slipped on a banana peel and slid face first into old ladydom.
It’s funny, now that I’ve gotten older, I look at myself with completely different eyes. I’ve packed on way too many pounds, yet I don’t always see myself as fat. That is until I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection on my car door or when I can’t button my favorite jacket. These moments of painful self-realization are often followed by periods of self-improvement. Not in the intense, obsessive way of that girl I was in college, but in the kinder, gentler way of the woman who cares more about herself and less of what others think of her.
So today I’ll walk a block further. And tomorrow I’ll eat a little less. And the next day I’ll pay a little more attention to picking out my clothes. And so on and so on until I’m the Jane I was meant to be.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Five Tips For Healthy Holidays
By Jennifer Schaecher
The holiday season is upon us once again. Unless you want to be thankful for an extra 7 to 10 pounds of weight gain by New Year’s, consider this: the average person consumes around 3,500 calories just on Thanksgiving day. Yowza! That equates to one pound in extra calories-not including partaking in all the leftovers. Here’s a few tips and strategies to overcome the challenge of weight gain beginning with Thanskgiving dinner.
Tip #1:Take 2 steps to start your day right.
Step One: Eat breakfast. You see, most people skip breakfast on Turkey day in order to ‘save room’ for the feast - maybe you have done this yourself. When you eat a healthy breakfast that is high in both fiber and protein two great things happen.
- Your metabolism is started early in the day, thus catapulting you into full fledged calorie burning mode. This will come in handy later in the day.
- You won’t be famished when you sit down for dinner, so you will have less room to binge. (This means fewer calories land on your waist.)
Step Two: Exercise for 30-60 minutes. I know exercise is the last thing on your mind on a busy holiday, however it is worth your effort. You will negate some of the extra holiday calories and your metabolism will climb even higher.
Tip #2: Lighten the menu.
If you are the lucky one in control of the menu, that makes it easier. As chef you can make a few modifications to the meal that will drastically reduce the fat and calorie intake of each guest. Try the following to lighten your meal:
Use nonfat yogurt or sour cream in place of heavy cream-based dips and dressings.
- Replace traditional stuffing with an assortment of chopped vegetables. Fill your turkey with mushrooms, eggplant, onions and celery. Or replace half of your traditional stuffing with chopped vegetables.
- Flavor your mashed potatoes with roasted garlic instead of butter. Or serve baked sweet potatoes instead of butter laden mashed potatoes.
- Roast vegetables without oil - use cooking spray instead and toss them with dill.
- Use unsweetened apple sauce or pureed plums instead of butter or oil in dessert recipes.
- Put out an assortment of fruit for dessert instead of pies.
- Make the recipe for Low Fat Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole below.
Tip #3: Use strategy.
Traditional Thanksgiving food items weren’t all created equal - nutritionally that is. Roasted white turkey meat (without skin) is a great source of lean protein. Vegetable dishes (without added fats) are also very healthy. On the other hand, buttery mashed potatoes, white bread rolls, cream based dishes, and heavy gravy are all packed with fat and calories. Fill your stomach with the healthy items first - white turkey meat and plenty of vegetables. Then simply ‘sample’ the less healthy items in small portions. This is so easy to do, save you lots of extra calories, and you don’t have to feel like you are denying yourself, either.
Tip #4: Pace yourself.
Most people get into trouble at Thanksgiving dinner by eating full speed ahead until they finally realize that they are full (after their second and third helping). The trouble with this method is the lag time in communication between your stomach and brain. In reality, you probably satisfied your hunger with your first plate of food, but your stomach takes a while to get that message to your brain. And during that lag time you took the opportunity to go for your second and third plate of food. This year sit calmly in your chair after that first plate and wait at least 20 minutes before getting seconds. You will be surprised to find that the thought of more food doesn’t sound good anymore - and you will have saved yourself unnecessary weight gain.
Tip #5: Get Support to Keep Off the Weight
Want to make this holiday season extra special? Why not start your very own phone coaching program with a weight loss coach right now! Together you will keep the holiday pounds away. Hiring a coach is different than recruiting a friend to diet with, or asking your spouse to help. Truth be told, it’s doubtful either one of these “supports” are going to hold up when put to the test. If your spouse is anything like mine, he’s no help at all. I’d get, “It’s a party, enjoy yourself!” Or, “It’s Christmas, have what you want.” And a diet buddy is probably no better. When it comes down to it, they aren’t going to jeopardize your friendship over a diet failure.
Having a happy holiday season does not have to mean putting on excess weight. Using these simple, easy strategies can help you avoid being one of those people who end up 10 pounds heavier by New Year’s. I hope these five tips keep you fit and healthy this holiday season.
http://www.healthyhappyweightloss.com is a resource for all things health, fitness, and of course weight loss. Come visit today and learn more about the true secrets to weight loss success.
Get free content for your website at Copy & Paste Articles
The holiday season is upon us once again. Unless you want to be thankful for an extra 7 to 10 pounds of weight gain by New Year’s, consider this: the average person consumes around 3,500 calories just on Thanksgiving day. Yowza! That equates to one pound in extra calories-not including partaking in all the leftovers. Here’s a few tips and strategies to overcome the challenge of weight gain beginning with Thanskgiving dinner.
Tip #1:Take 2 steps to start your day right.
Step One: Eat breakfast. You see, most people skip breakfast on Turkey day in order to ‘save room’ for the feast - maybe you have done this yourself. When you eat a healthy breakfast that is high in both fiber and protein two great things happen.
- Your metabolism is started early in the day, thus catapulting you into full fledged calorie burning mode. This will come in handy later in the day.
- You won’t be famished when you sit down for dinner, so you will have less room to binge. (This means fewer calories land on your waist.)
Step Two: Exercise for 30-60 minutes. I know exercise is the last thing on your mind on a busy holiday, however it is worth your effort. You will negate some of the extra holiday calories and your metabolism will climb even higher.
Tip #2: Lighten the menu.
If you are the lucky one in control of the menu, that makes it easier. As chef you can make a few modifications to the meal that will drastically reduce the fat and calorie intake of each guest. Try the following to lighten your meal:
Use nonfat yogurt or sour cream in place of heavy cream-based dips and dressings.
- Replace traditional stuffing with an assortment of chopped vegetables. Fill your turkey with mushrooms, eggplant, onions and celery. Or replace half of your traditional stuffing with chopped vegetables.
- Flavor your mashed potatoes with roasted garlic instead of butter. Or serve baked sweet potatoes instead of butter laden mashed potatoes.
- Roast vegetables without oil - use cooking spray instead and toss them with dill.
- Use unsweetened apple sauce or pureed plums instead of butter or oil in dessert recipes.
- Put out an assortment of fruit for dessert instead of pies.
- Make the recipe for Low Fat Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole below.
Tip #3: Use strategy.
Traditional Thanksgiving food items weren’t all created equal - nutritionally that is. Roasted white turkey meat (without skin) is a great source of lean protein. Vegetable dishes (without added fats) are also very healthy. On the other hand, buttery mashed potatoes, white bread rolls, cream based dishes, and heavy gravy are all packed with fat and calories. Fill your stomach with the healthy items first - white turkey meat and plenty of vegetables. Then simply ‘sample’ the less healthy items in small portions. This is so easy to do, save you lots of extra calories, and you don’t have to feel like you are denying yourself, either.
Tip #4: Pace yourself.
Most people get into trouble at Thanksgiving dinner by eating full speed ahead until they finally realize that they are full (after their second and third helping). The trouble with this method is the lag time in communication between your stomach and brain. In reality, you probably satisfied your hunger with your first plate of food, but your stomach takes a while to get that message to your brain. And during that lag time you took the opportunity to go for your second and third plate of food. This year sit calmly in your chair after that first plate and wait at least 20 minutes before getting seconds. You will be surprised to find that the thought of more food doesn’t sound good anymore - and you will have saved yourself unnecessary weight gain.
Tip #5: Get Support to Keep Off the Weight
Want to make this holiday season extra special? Why not start your very own phone coaching program with a weight loss coach right now! Together you will keep the holiday pounds away. Hiring a coach is different than recruiting a friend to diet with, or asking your spouse to help. Truth be told, it’s doubtful either one of these “supports” are going to hold up when put to the test. If your spouse is anything like mine, he’s no help at all. I’d get, “It’s a party, enjoy yourself!” Or, “It’s Christmas, have what you want.” And a diet buddy is probably no better. When it comes down to it, they aren’t going to jeopardize your friendship over a diet failure.
Having a happy holiday season does not have to mean putting on excess weight. Using these simple, easy strategies can help you avoid being one of those people who end up 10 pounds heavier by New Year’s. I hope these five tips keep you fit and healthy this holiday season.
http://www.healthyhappyweightloss.com is a resource for all things health, fitness, and of course weight loss. Come visit today and learn more about the true secrets to weight loss success.
Get free content for your website at Copy & Paste Articles
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tatoo, Anyone?
Firsts. As mid-lifers, what kind of firsts do we have to look forward to? First bone density test? First colonoscopy? First hot flash? I think I had my first hot flash, though it’s hard to tell living in Florida.
When we were younger our lives were full of firsts. First love. First car. First house. First child. Our future was spread out before us, with miles unending possibilities and so many doors yet to be opened. We boldly took those first steps into new territories often without thinking about the consequences. Because if we did, we probably would never move inch beyond our comfort zone. We didn’t know about comfort zones back then. Comfort zones are something what we unconsciously invented after a disappointment to insulate us from getting hurt further. Comfort zones may feel like a soft place to fall, but they’re really just a barricade keeping us from living our lives to the fullest.
Maybe we should re-connect with the time when we didn’t care if the world watched as we danced –when we thought we were invincible because nobody told us we weren’t. Let’s brush off that list of all the things we wanted to do in our lives that we’ve put off because the time wasn’t right, or we didn’t want to take the chance, or we were afraid of what people would think. Let’s give ourselves the gift of new firsts.
For me, I’m thinking maybe my first tattoo.
When we were younger our lives were full of firsts. First love. First car. First house. First child. Our future was spread out before us, with miles unending possibilities and so many doors yet to be opened. We boldly took those first steps into new territories often without thinking about the consequences. Because if we did, we probably would never move inch beyond our comfort zone. We didn’t know about comfort zones back then. Comfort zones are something what we unconsciously invented after a disappointment to insulate us from getting hurt further. Comfort zones may feel like a soft place to fall, but they’re really just a barricade keeping us from living our lives to the fullest.
Maybe we should re-connect with the time when we didn’t care if the world watched as we danced –when we thought we were invincible because nobody told us we weren’t. Let’s brush off that list of all the things we wanted to do in our lives that we’ve put off because the time wasn’t right, or we didn’t want to take the chance, or we were afraid of what people would think. Let’s give ourselves the gift of new firsts.
For me, I’m thinking maybe my first tattoo.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Choosing Hope
I don’t know many people who are happy lately. It pains me to even say it, but so many people in my circle have fallen into a cycle of sadness. Me included. Each day I feel my wallet getting lighter, my checkbook getting heavier and my grip on financial and emotional security loosening. I blame some of it on the media.
Everyday we’re bombarded with messages that we’re heading into an economic tailspin. We’re told our homes are no longer worth what they once were. We read that there might be a recession coming and that it could be years before the economy rebounds. No wonder so many of us are frozen with fear. No wonder we’re clutching tightly to our paychecks worried that we might not have enough money to pay our ever-rising bills. Our economy is dying because we’re not feeding it. As a result we’re all starving.
I’m not saying that what the media is telling us is not true, but whether it’s intentional or not, what we’re hearing evokes fear. It’s designed to keep us listening and watching and reading. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t stay informed, but it’s how we choose to process the information that makes the difference between living in hope or living in fear.
A long time ago I read a story about two businessmen who were sitting next to each other on a plane. They began talking about how their businesses were faring during the tough financial times. One man said that his business was floundering and that he as having a tough time making ends meet. The other man said that his business was having its best year ever. Stunned, the first man asked him how he could possibly be having a good year in the middle of a recession. The successful man said that he made a choice not to participate in the recession. So while everyone else was digesting negative thoughts and making them their reality, he took a “business as usual” approach and prospered.
Is it easy to choose stay positive and focused? Not for someone like me who is genetically predisposed to worrying. But I do know that hope feels a whole lot better than fear.
Everyday we’re bombarded with messages that we’re heading into an economic tailspin. We’re told our homes are no longer worth what they once were. We read that there might be a recession coming and that it could be years before the economy rebounds. No wonder so many of us are frozen with fear. No wonder we’re clutching tightly to our paychecks worried that we might not have enough money to pay our ever-rising bills. Our economy is dying because we’re not feeding it. As a result we’re all starving.
I’m not saying that what the media is telling us is not true, but whether it’s intentional or not, what we’re hearing evokes fear. It’s designed to keep us listening and watching and reading. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t stay informed, but it’s how we choose to process the information that makes the difference between living in hope or living in fear.
A long time ago I read a story about two businessmen who were sitting next to each other on a plane. They began talking about how their businesses were faring during the tough financial times. One man said that his business was floundering and that he as having a tough time making ends meet. The other man said that his business was having its best year ever. Stunned, the first man asked him how he could possibly be having a good year in the middle of a recession. The successful man said that he made a choice not to participate in the recession. So while everyone else was digesting negative thoughts and making them their reality, he took a “business as usual” approach and prospered.
Is it easy to choose stay positive and focused? Not for someone like me who is genetically predisposed to worrying. But I do know that hope feels a whole lot better than fear.
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Power of Music
I found the coolest website today. It’s www.pandora.com-- a place where you can build your own web radio station. You plug in an artist or song and it automatically programs songs in that genre of music to listen to over the web.
The first radio station I built was James Taylor Radio. Within the course of a half-hour I not only heard JT, but Eagles, Jackson Browne and Harry Chapin---all artists and songs that I loved back in high school and college. I listened for hours and for the first time in a long time I felt connected to something from my past. It took me back to a time when music really meant something to me.
Music, especially when we were back in high school and college, not only provided a soundtrack for our lives, it defined who we were. In my school you were either a Rocker, a Disco-Head or a Folkie. I was a Folkie. Even dressed the part---short-sleeved peasant blouse over a long sleeved Danskin, corduroy jeans and Earth Shoes. Music gave us a place, a platform and most of all, an identity. I remember spending hours learning the lyrics to my favorite songs, clinging to every word, trying to unlock its special meaning for me. Pretty powerful stuff for a very insecure teen.
While listening to my marathon music session, so many emotions washed over me--happiness for all the good times, wistfulness for the friends that have drifted out of my life -- I even shed a tear or two for unrequited love.
My friend has a blog in which he describes his generation as the “Louie, Louie” generation—the generation of people who came right before the baby boom. “Louie, Louie” is all about attitude and state of mind. It’s brilliant. It got me thinking about finding a song for our generation of boomers who need to reconnect to a time when music had the power to make us laugh, to make us cry and to make us feel part of something very special.
Any suggestions?
The first radio station I built was James Taylor Radio. Within the course of a half-hour I not only heard JT, but Eagles, Jackson Browne and Harry Chapin---all artists and songs that I loved back in high school and college. I listened for hours and for the first time in a long time I felt connected to something from my past. It took me back to a time when music really meant something to me.
Music, especially when we were back in high school and college, not only provided a soundtrack for our lives, it defined who we were. In my school you were either a Rocker, a Disco-Head or a Folkie. I was a Folkie. Even dressed the part---short-sleeved peasant blouse over a long sleeved Danskin, corduroy jeans and Earth Shoes. Music gave us a place, a platform and most of all, an identity. I remember spending hours learning the lyrics to my favorite songs, clinging to every word, trying to unlock its special meaning for me. Pretty powerful stuff for a very insecure teen.
While listening to my marathon music session, so many emotions washed over me--happiness for all the good times, wistfulness for the friends that have drifted out of my life -- I even shed a tear or two for unrequited love.
My friend has a blog in which he describes his generation as the “Louie, Louie” generation—the generation of people who came right before the baby boom. “Louie, Louie” is all about attitude and state of mind. It’s brilliant. It got me thinking about finding a song for our generation of boomers who need to reconnect to a time when music had the power to make us laugh, to make us cry and to make us feel part of something very special.
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tai Chi and Me
Tonight I went to my Tai Chi class. It’s the third week out of a ten-week session. My two buddies bailed tonight---both with pretty good excuses. I was tempted to bail too, but I didn’t. Lately I find it hard to be committed to anything, so I took it as a challenge. I was going to go and actually STAY for the whole thing. I would be good for me. And it was.
This isn’t my first go-round with Tai Chi. I took a class a few years ago after I bopped myself in the head with a dumbbell doing bicep curls during physical therapy. My therapist suggested I join his class. He said it would help me with my balance and probably prevent me from giving myself a concussion. I figured I couldn’t afford to be anymore spaced out than I already was and having a little balance in my life is not a bad thing, so I took the class. So did my husband. Though we have no problem being committed to each other, sticking to anything that remotely resembles exercise is a whole other thing. We went. For a while. And I know we’re better off for the experience.
As I was flailing about trying to learn the intricate set of moves, my mind kept drifting away. “Will I outlive my money? Who’s going to take care of me when I’m old? Will we ever be able to sell our house in a down market? Will my car make it through another year? Oh look, there’s a cat outside the door. FOCUS…FOCUS…FOCUS.” Then my Tai Chi lady said the most profound thing. She said that we may not be able to control our surroundings, but we can change the way we look at them. Hmmm…change the way we look at our surroundings. That’s gonna take some work. At that moment I wasn’t sure how I was going to implement those words of wisdom in my life, but I remember saying to myself that I would figure it out later. Then something amazing happened. I began to focus. I began to get the moves down. I put aside my worries and I did Tai Chi. Sure, I still flailed about, but somehow that didn’t matter. My mind was quiet and my body just seemed to follow along. Tonight I understood Tai Chi.
And I even learned a little Chinese: Xie-Xie (pronounced sha-sha). It means thank you.
This isn’t my first go-round with Tai Chi. I took a class a few years ago after I bopped myself in the head with a dumbbell doing bicep curls during physical therapy. My therapist suggested I join his class. He said it would help me with my balance and probably prevent me from giving myself a concussion. I figured I couldn’t afford to be anymore spaced out than I already was and having a little balance in my life is not a bad thing, so I took the class. So did my husband. Though we have no problem being committed to each other, sticking to anything that remotely resembles exercise is a whole other thing. We went. For a while. And I know we’re better off for the experience.
As I was flailing about trying to learn the intricate set of moves, my mind kept drifting away. “Will I outlive my money? Who’s going to take care of me when I’m old? Will we ever be able to sell our house in a down market? Will my car make it through another year? Oh look, there’s a cat outside the door. FOCUS…FOCUS…FOCUS.” Then my Tai Chi lady said the most profound thing. She said that we may not be able to control our surroundings, but we can change the way we look at them. Hmmm…change the way we look at our surroundings. That’s gonna take some work. At that moment I wasn’t sure how I was going to implement those words of wisdom in my life, but I remember saying to myself that I would figure it out later. Then something amazing happened. I began to focus. I began to get the moves down. I put aside my worries and I did Tai Chi. Sure, I still flailed about, but somehow that didn’t matter. My mind was quiet and my body just seemed to follow along. Tonight I understood Tai Chi.
And I even learned a little Chinese: Xie-Xie (pronounced sha-sha). It means thank you.
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