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
legacy 072: There's More to a Rewarding Life than Recognition and Awards It's amazing how a simple request can trigger wondering or doubt about your personal accomplishments. That happened to me recently when I was asked to share any awards or recognitions I had received relative to my career as a writer. I went blank and then I was like,
healing hurt 071: Your Hurt Doesn't Have to Keep Hurting I was in a setting recently where I heard it said that, "Hurt people; hurt people." That could be true about a portion of the hurt you carry in your life. It's like the pay-it-forward concept only this time someone weaponized their personal pain or conflict
effortlessness 070: Habits for Effortless Aging You see it in athletes. Some musicians, actors, and actresses exemplify it. It's effortlessness. That captivating quality that rises above the striving and struggle within a skill, talent, or energy being expended. Effortlessness is achievable for those mentioned above but before you dismiss it thinking it's
purpose 069: Living on Purpose or Merely Living? "Ikigai" or "Plan De Vida?" You might already be ahead of me and know their meaning. Or I realize you might not be acquainted with either the Japanese or Spanish translations so I'll clue you in. "Ikigai" is a Japanese word that
trying too hard 068: Keep Trying (but Not So Hard) I recall a coach telling his players during a conditioning session: "Find your try...and keep trying!" File that away for useful motivation when you'd rather not...try, that is. When you lose your "try" its difficult to maintain any semblance of movement or
dealing with irritation 067: There Are Pearls in Those Irritations You Face This topic might get "under-your-skin." I'm talking about life's major or minor irritations that find their way into your life and shift your emotional response into high-gear. While you'd like to avoid irritations there's actually a pearl of wisdom within
ageless 066: What Does It (Really) Mean to Be Ageless? Ageless. It's a commonly used description that does have some longevity baked-into it. Since the idea of aging is on theme around here let's unpack what it truly means to be ageless. The term gets tossed around a lot. "She looks so ageless..." "
aging well 065: My Word for the Year and How It Could Positively Impact Your Aging Journey For a few years I've selected a word for the year. It's more of a compass bearing to stay on track and help me avoid randomness in my daily life. This year's word (drumroll...) is... "Agency" No, I'm not doing
motivation 064: What to Do When You Lose Motivation as You Age There's an old, somewhat outdated book on one of my numerous book shelves throughout my house. "Success Secrets of the Motivational Superstars" I'm not suggesting that "success secrets" or "motivation" is old or outdated. I've wrestled through the
seasonal affective disorder 063: Seasonal Blahs Got You Down? I'm unapologetic (and occasionally annoying) about my love for spring/summer warmth and abundant sunshine - preferrably near or on water or relaxing with patio-time. I'm also self-aware enough to recognize that I'm a seasonal complainer - especially when the days are shorter, the
New Year goals 062: Frustrated by the Resolution Ritual? Fix Your Focus Instead Did you ever wonder why you set New Year goals or resolutions and come February (or sooner) you're back to square one? Old habits die hard, am I right? But new habits or at least the desire to change up some things in your life should at least
peace 061: Control or Peace: It's Your Choice as You Age Are you at peace because you feel in control or are you at peace when you give up control? Wrestle with that question for a moment. I don't need to remind you that life isn't always "peace on earth and goodwill toward humanity..." A
estrangement 060: Estrangement Feels Strange Because, Well, It Is There have been countless songs written about love and relationships. And many contain lyrical content something along the lines of "love hurts." If you've ever loved someone (and it's highly likely that you have and do currently love someone or a number of someones.
getting unstuck 059: Get Unstuck from Sameness It's the same-ole-same-ole. How often do you think or say that? It's likely attached to some boredom inducing reality in your life. Or it's a rut you find yourself in that you can't steer out of. It happens to the best of
gratitude 058: The Power of a Simple Thanks Thank you! Before getting into this week's brief issue I need to say that to you. "Thank you" for: * Being part of our Personal Growth and Longevity (PGL) tribe. * Reading and reflecting on each week's big ideas. * Sharing our content with others. * Having courage
holiday stress 057: Bring Your Age and Experience to the Holiday Table Ah...the holidays. I hope you realize that aging and second half living has given you your fair share of holiday experiences - good and bad I would assume. Keep in mind that you're among those who... Have raised your kids. Have a grandchild or two...or perhaps
perspctive 056: Why Not Fly Above It All? Flying. Mentioning air-travel probably brings to mind the hassle of airports, delays, security and ticketing lines, baggage-claim, and rude passengers. All things considered, I still love to fly. And here's why... Perspective! There's something about the 30,000 foot perspective when you're cruising above
find your why 055: Find Your “Why” and Keep Going Why?? The word implies a question but its way more than that. Sure, on the question side of the equation it has an existential tone. And from another vantage point (depending on your current mood) it’s synonomous with "what the...!!" (You have permission to complete that sentence
staying calm 054: How's Your Calm These Days (Or Dare I Ask)? Stress just hits different on occasion. A circumstance out of your control, the current culture climate (I'm looking at you election year), or any number of physical and emotional ambushes that seemingly lurk around the corner each day. Kinda harshes-your-mellow...am I right!? You've heard the
setbacks 053: Why Setbacks Aren't Necessarily Setups as You Age It’s amazing how something in your life could be going downhill. In reality it could be nothing more than a momentary setback. Setbacks can often feel like setups as you age. Here's what I mean by that... I’m training for a 2025 half marathon as we
