Work is a GOOD Thing!

Greetings Dear Reader!

Pardon my absence from posting here but I have had a very busy August 2014 so far but I'm once again controlling my schedule after temporarily allowing it to control me for the past couple of weeks.

For the remainder of August 2014, I will post about working (whether it's paid work, volunteer work, temporary work, or even a hobby; as long as you are "working" at something).

First of all, let's define work. The online dictionary at www.dictionary.com defines it as:
1. exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
2. something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking.
3. productive or operative activity.

I'm blogging about work because work is a wonderful, beneficial endeavor. Why? Because it gives you a sense of purpose. It stimulates your brain and keeps your body active.

Ever notice how if you rest for too long, you feel lethargic, mentally slower, and not as alert? Or have you or someone you know had to be on bed rest and experienced muscular atrophy (weakening) as a result? Well, that is because as spiritual beings having a human experience we are designed to be mentally and physically active.

Therefore, if you volunteer, participate in a hobby, attend school, or have a job, you are doing a wonderful service for yourself. Make sure you APPRECIATE whatever it is that has you being mentally and physically active.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal ability to enjoy meaningful, enjoyable work!
Kaja Green-Tovar

Senior Citizens Setting Super Examples!

Greetings Dear Reader!

This month is ALMOST over but while we are still in July, I am happily writing about aging well.

Today I am sharing about senior-aged citizens (and NEAR senior-aged citizens) setting super examples for living and aging well.

First of all, there is my relative. She works out about 5 days a week, takes excellent care of her skin, eats well, and is married to a gentleman who is younger than her. Now this relative of mine is way too nice to be called an um... 'cougar'. She just happened to feel connected to a man who has not been alive as long as she has. 

Then there are a few acquaintances such as Mr. D. Mr. D. has a career in law but recently, at the age of 65, he just earned his Cross-fit Trainer Certification! How about that?! He could just participate, which is also pretty super; however, he chose to share what he knows and train others in his spare time. I'm thinking this might be a 2nd career for him; especially, if he opens his own gymnasium.

There is Mr. L., a happily married and jovial gentleman, who I met along the Meramec Greenway this past week. Mr. L. rides his bike up and down the trail as well as those that are nearby for miles upon miles. Surely, he rides the length of a half marathon, and possibly more. Guess how old Mr. L. is ? Well, when he asked me to guess, I said about 58. Well, the correct answer is 73! Yes, 73! I am inspired by Mr. L. He is definitely setting an awesome example for aging well.

There are others who are setting super examples for aging and living well. Such as an individual I know who is helping to archive photos and other memorabilia for the religious center of his boyhood days. He is having a grand time reviving the memories and ensuring the religious center's history is not lost.

Oh! One more example. A few years back, I met an 84 years alive woman who told me she was a Peace Corps volunteer. She looked young and spirited. I can't recall her name but she spoke enthusiastically about flying to different places and helping out. She had a sense of meaning and purpose even though she lived alone. She was visiting my former neighbor when we happend upon each other but I have never forgotten her. That's because I was intrigued by the example she was setting.

Okay Dear Reader, let's keep a look out for more senior citizens who are setting super examples. Share this with others who may benefit from reading this post.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal ability to live and age well,
Kaja Green-Tovar

Aging and Changing Careers!

Greetings Dear Reader!

So with aging comes change and wisdom, right? Well, I hope so! Throughout our lives change happens but luckily the longer we've been alive, the more capable we are in dealing with new situations, people, or places.

One major change that can happen is we end a career and start a new one, or decide to volunteer our knowledge, skills, and abilities. Sometimes we do something that is in a totally different field from the one we've been doing, or from what we spent years in college studying for. But you know what?! That's okay!!!

Really, as we age there will be change. Things are way different from when you're the age of two to twenty-two, twenty-four to forty-four, thirty-six to sixty-six, and so on.

Let not your heart be troubled if what you've always done is not what you get to do now or tomorrow. Instead, pull up your bootstraps and dare to do something DIFFERENT!

It's okay to have been a CIA agent and then become a baker, or to have been a fitness trainer and then become a flight attendant. Perhaps you were a police officer once. Well, it's okay to go work as a truant officer so that you don't have to chase hardened criminals. Welcome the opportunity to do something different.

Choose to forego lamenting about what once was and stay in engaged in life by doing whatever you can do well and will enjoy - which may very well be something different. Don't forget that volunteering is another way to make an impact.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) ability to embrace a new career when and if the time ever comes!
-Kaja Green-Tovar

Aging and Flirting!

Greetings Dear Reader!

Another thing about aging well is engaging in flirting! Yes, flirting. While many of us become very comfortable with our solitude we must be open to meeting new people and enjoying romance. It doesn’t mean you have to start planning a wedding date, but be open to chatting or going to coffee with someone who is interested in you other than only as a platonic friend.

Dare to flirt a little. You never know what might happen. Don’t worry! Flirting doesn’t mean you have to share your home, bed, or bank account. It’s just simple fun.

Give someone you might be interested a compliment, a wink, your business card. You get the idea!

Basically, enjoy flirting. Enjoy yourself – you and the person you’re flirting with deserves it.

Of course, this is NOT for people who are already in committed relationships. If you are in a committed relationship then please make it a point to flirt with your partner. If you don’t, someone else will.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal quality of life,

Kaja Green-Tovar

Aging and Change!

Greetings Dear Reader!

Remember this month's topic is about aging. We are all going to do this - I hope. After all, we know the alternative to aging.

As we continue to live, we have the right and ability to change our minds. We get to decide what we experience and the kinds of interactions we wish to have.

When we decide to change something, we are choosing to reinvent our experiences, interactions, or opportunities.

A good example of change at any age is someone choosing a to go to college for the first time or return to college for a new career path. Or it could be a person deciding to move to a different state or country. Whatever the change is, it is akin to reinventing one's life.

When we make changes in our lives, we gain new experiences and interact with new people. We also get exposed to new opportunities that may not have been present before we made a change.

I'm not saying to disregard familiarity and stability. We need those in our lives! What I'm advocating is the willingness to try something new; to give change a chance!

I hope this encourages you to continue trying new experiences and interacting in different social settings. Change at any age, can be a good thing!

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal quality of life,
Kaja Green-Tovar

Aging And Wisdom!

Greetings Dear Reader,

Perhaps you are a middle aged person (or older), or know someone who is. Whichever person you are, you need to know the following:

With age comes wisdom; however, as long as we live we are still learning.

The above statement is important because... we must respect where others have been and gain insights from the wisdom they are willing to share. We do not have to agree with everything told to us, but we can value and seize opportunities from those who have been there and done that. After all, with age comes wisdom.

We are all growing, as long as we breathe, in one way or another. Live well, love much, learn from your experiences, and then share what you know.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) ability to live, love, learn, and share the wisdom that comes with age.

-Kaja Green-Tovar

No. 1 Accessory To Look Better At Any Age!

Greetings Dear Reader,

Get ready to find out what is the best accessory at ANY age! You'll want to keep the accessory clean, fresh, and sincere. This number one accessory WILL help you to not only look better, but feel better as well.

Ready to know what this accessory is? Read on!

The accessory is a SMILE! Yes, a smile will help anyone to look better. And fortunately, your accessory is unique to you - unless of course you have an identical twin! Your accessory may come with perfect teeth, an overbite, or missing teeth but as long as it's clean, fresh, and most importantly SINCERE, your smile will help you to look and feel better.

So what are you wearing right now? I hope it's a SMILE!

Smiling selfie taken while somebody else was driving.

 

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal health and wellness,

Kaja Green-Tovar