Personal Growth & Longevity

aging

097: "I'm at the Age Where...(I Can Choose How I Get Older)

As you think about it, your mind is likely drawn to yours or someone else's bias about aging. Because growing older brings to mind some common stereotypes. "Frail, weak, slow, clumsy, clueless, confused, forgetful, helpless, unhealthy, unattractive, uncool, and bad at driving."1 Brian Clark shared

stillness

096: Enhance Your Longevity with Less Noise, Less Nosy Meddling, and Less Inactivity

Some written narratives are like a Swiss Army Knife - practical and functional when you need it. I see this biblical reference having that type of practicality. "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands... - 1 Thessalonians 4:

perseverance

095: What You Start You Might Not Finish, but...Hey, You Started

How often do think about what you've started but didn't finish? As you age that reality can become a more pressing issue - especially if you are beginning to feel the sting of regret about goals and accomplishments still undone. Flip the script, give yourself some

purpose

094: You Could Use Some Wabi-Sabi as You Age

It's amazing to me how reading an unrelated article provides inspiration for useful insight about aging. I was browsing my article feed on Medium and came across an article about the case-less use of an iPhone. Actually, I'm a fan and follower of the writer who

journaling

093: Journaling Could Be What You Need to Stay Mentally Aware and Sharp

I probably don't have to tell you that as you age your thoughts ebb and flow like the tide. The fact that they enter you consciousness is an indication that your mind is working. But those thoughts, insights, experiences, and wisdom-nuggets that come to mind and then evaporate

sustainable lifestyle

092: The Case for a More Sustainable Lifestyle as You Age

It's amazing how when you're young you give little if any thought to pacing yourself. I mean, why should you? You have energy to burn and not much holding you back. As you age, well, you tend to feel burned out and prefer to hold yourself

creativity

091: Don't Bury Your Creativity

I'm a creative. I make no apologies or unnecessary explanations for that. Could be why my career-shift in 2006 has me writing professionally to this day - and likely the remainder of my days. It's also why I see my life, the world, people, and opportunities

aging

090: Why Not Think Differently About Aging?

Did you ever wonder why aging is associated with phrases like "over the hill" or having "one foot in the grave...?" I could add more but think about it - does an aging mindset that focuses on being on a downhill slide or being one misstep

procrastination

089: The Cost of Living in Tomorrow-land

Tomorrow. It's a word with dual meaning. It can be used in optimistic anticipation as in Annie's famous lyrical encouragement: "The sun will come out...tomorrow. Bet your bottom-dollar that tomorrow will be..." To the contrary, tomorrow can also mean delay for whatever reason.

personal capacity

088: The Audacity of Your Capacity as You Age

I learned the hard (yet instructive) way. Carrying baggage - personal or someone else's - into a particularly challenging season of life can overwhelm you to the point of having to throw in the towel. In 2006, I was exiting from nearly a decade of leadership on the

freedom

087: Live Free!

As an American, July 4th is and always has been one of my favorite holidays. I have great memories of childhood July 4th events and shenanigans. * All-day events at the local park in my hometown as a kid * Hanging at the pool * Grilling * Pop-bottle rockets...Black Cat firecrackers...and Roman

advocating for yourself

086: The Power of Advocating for Yourself as You Age

Me, myself, and I. That's not a statement of self-centeredness. But it is a statement relative to being in your own "corner" when necessary. Being your own "wing-person" or advocate is increasingly essential in the aging journey. Unfortunately, advocating for yourself is necessary for

personal growth

085: What's On Your Horizon Could Be a Gift as You Age

It's amazing how staring at the endless horizon keeps things aligned. Life and legacy become clearer when you get away physically or mentally from all that obstructs your view. Our immediate family - including daughters, son-in-law, and grandkids - enjoyed that experience on our recent beach vacation. Back

avoid reacting

084: Are You Redemptive or Reactionary?

It's common to see your relationships, your circumstances, or your life in general from one of two perspectives. I suggest that you see things as they are through either a redemptive or reactionary lens. By redemptive, I'm referring to seeing potential and productive alternatives to what

receiving feedback

083: Set Criticism Aside but Use Feedback to Your Advantage

Does it seem that everyone’s a critic? Criticism does indeed run rampant. Yet its close “cousin,” feedback, often flies under the radar. However you frame it - criticism can sting while feedback can (and should) land more softly and beneficially. The greater sign of maturity isn’t dishing it

change

082: Who Said It's Too Late to Change?

How often do your think about change (and I'm not talking about simply changing your mind)? Aging has a way of keeping change front and center. You might reflect on the change that's occurred in the past 10, 15, or 20 years. You might consider the

dealing with friction

081: Friction Could Be Exactly What Your Personal Growth and Longevity Needs

It's one thing to have calloused hands. But a calloused heart...that's something entirely different - especially if it's become more calloused with age. The common cause could be none other than "friction." Calloused hands are typically the result of friction produced

meaningful life

080: Existing or Living: What's the Difference?

There's an old cartoon I have somewhere in my files that shows a wise-looking, bearded guru sitting on a mountain top. In front of him is a hiker who's apparently traveled a great distance to ask him the timeless question: "what is the meaning of

aging journey

079: My Turn (One Year Later): Half-Marathon Reflections and Finishing Strong in the Aging Journey

A lot can change in a year. Last year (April 2024) I watched my youngest daughter cross the finish line of her first half-marathon (13.1 miles) at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. As a spectator, I wrote about that experience sharing my practical observations and applying them to the

anxiety

078: Prepare for a Period of Unrest (But Before You Panic...)

It's amazing how a season of seeming unrest awakens you. I'm accustomed to seasonal unrest in the environmental sense living in the region of the U.S. that's accustomed to watching the skies for Spring storms. It wouldn't be Spring around here

hope

077: Hope is a Powerful Thing

It is indeed powerful - hope, that is! As it's Good Friday 2025 (when this issue is being published), hope is the essence. However you reflect, celebrate, or generally acknowledge the Easter weekend my hope is that your hope gives you energy, awareness, and purpose to keep going.

longevity

076: Longevity Adds More Than Years to Your Life

How often do you think about longevity? It's a common topic especially in the aging, health, and wellness zone. Whether or not you give a lot of thought to the topic, I encourage you to clarify your thinking about it. Sure, there's a substantial scientific component

successful aging

075: Why Not Defy the Expectations of Aging?

Whoever said that expectations are set in stone? Take aging for instance. There are certain expectations that accompany every decade you enter throughout your life. "Millennials (30 somethings) are so entitled!" "GenXrs (40s plus) are becoming their parents!" "Boomers (60s and then some) are out

depression

074: What to Do When You Just Aren't Feeling Up to It

Blue days happen. I'm talking about the blues that might be signaling an oncoming storm of feeling down or worse, a bout of depression. However the blues hit you its common for those emotions to drag you into an abyss of hopelessness. This is where a strong sense

living on purpose

073: Make Sure You Cover Your Axis

How often do you think about what your life revolves around? Or to put it another way: what's the axis of your life - especially as you age? Life evolves but it also revolves. You might often hear a birthday referred to as "another trip around the