the juicy years

Growing old gracefully ...disgracefully ... outrageously ...or whatever other term that's been used to embrace ageing in the last few years, has now been replaced with a more optimistic term "Positive Ageing" - the principles of the Positive Psychology movement. Our ability to have a more positive experience, compared with peers who are perpetuating the old paradigm (that ageing is fraught with misery), has a lot to do with our attitude, personal qualities and flexibility. Cultivating flexibility I think is a key indicator of how we reframe our lives in these years. It requires us to feel and think differently, to counter any maladaptive patterns by engaging in life-enhancing practices. Some of these are altruistic, others may be practising gratitude, and appreciating what you have to offer to the world. Go on now, write a list of your qualities, skills and resources! And think about how some of these could be used creatively to enhance your life or the li...

Your heart is like a compass, it speaks to you moment by moment. It is your wisdom bank, and is much more than an efficient pumping machine.   S cience has shown us that the heart possesses its own intelligence, has its own brain. In fact, the HeartMath Institute has identified that the electromagnetic field of the heart is 5,000 times stronger than that of the brain. And the heart and brain work together. It's believed that our emotions play a huge role in the health of our hearts, and they can positively impact our state of health more than all the vitamins, exercise and organic food combined. So feeling and expressing all of our emotions is good medicine! By intentionally attending to them we can rewire the neural circuitry of our nervous system, and the stress pathways begin to atrophy.  In our culture women have been socialised to keep the lid on their anger which then gets internalised, causing stress.   Yes, its OK to be angry!...

I don't think I fully embodied ACCEPTANCE until recently. I could have.  Lately it has risen up organically, from a deep place within me. It's not a conscious feeling but one that settles in my being like a knowing. Enveloping me like a favourite, winter coat. I've wondered whether other people recognise acceptance, or do they live it without question?  I've been subtly drawn to notice this state because it has been a gentle gift. I don't believe I could live my life as it is now, without this feeling of acceptance. Does it unfold as one fully surrenders to life? Or is it a result of growing older? Of mellowing into my bones despite my circumstances. Or perhaps it's because I've travelled this road for so long that it transcends any fear.  And said Yes to life, whatever it is. In the past I usually had my eye on the future, even though I did my best to be present to the moment. I still have goals for the future, but know that there is a grea...

It IS possible to grow older without losing your sparkle ! Though I have previously posted 5 tips to juicy ageing, I have updated them.  Yes, they're now 10, and here they are ! Tune into your HEART daily and CONNECT with your loved ones regularly. Heal any wounds that may still be festering. This is healing for your heart, emotionally and physically. At least once a day whether its via phone or in person, actually have a conversation, or connect via the internet or FB. Feeling lonely can lead to depression. Never stop LEARNING - a language or new leisure activity. Challenge your beliefs or ways of doing something. Research suggests that people who do this, stay mentally alert. My mother did cryptic crosswords all through her 3rd chapter and could even remember her ATM pin the night before she died at 95 years! LOVE your life NOW, and remember to feel the JOY (Joy increases your level of DHEA and has been studied by longevity researcher, Ellen Langer ). Make...