Monthly Archives: January 2011

Boomer Inspirational Message: Practicing Love, Forgiveness And Respect

I remember when the elderly in our society were well respected and treated with the utmost dignity and respect.  I remember when people held doors open for older people.  We gave up our chair when an older person needed a seat. I remember when senior citizens were thought of as wise and insightful.  When we needed an answer on how to fix a broken vehicle or make a cabinet we went to an older person for their advise.  If I needed a  recipe for peach cobbler I called my mother or older Sister. I remember when adult children, relatives, neighbors, people from the church helped older folks because they truly loved and respected them. That is the value system we were taught back in the day. I remember when grown children had daily or a least weekly contact in person or by telephone with their parents and grandparents.  Some of this still exists today but times have changed.

Recipes can be found on a computer in the blink of an eye. Our favorite auto repair shop will fix a vehicle.  They advertise speedy customer service.  The man at the home improvement store can fix us up with a new cabinet and have it installed within a day.  Now the younger folks text on the telephone.  Some check Face book to connect with their family and friends.  Some older folks do the same.

Time is moving at the speed of lightening.  We still have a lot to teach the younger generation.  We have much to learn in order to keep up with changing times. We will do that at our own pace.  Most of us were taught one of the most important lessons of all and that was; No matter whatever else is going on ALWAYS respect yourself and each other. We still have an important place here in this world.  We still have a service to perform here on God’s earth.   No matter how much time has passed or how times have changed it will always be important to RESPECT OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.

In closing I just want to end this very simply with one question for each of us to ask ourselves.  When we lay our head down on our pillow at night can we sleep peacefully knowing that we have done our best using respect, love and forgiveness for ourselves and others?  If we can not answer this question with a yes today then it is still not to late.  We can arise tomorrow and begin by practicing love, forgiveness and respect.

Working Boomer Refuses To Have Writers Block

In the passed few weeks this Working Boomer has dealt with two snow storms, oral surgery and whatever else life had to offer.  I thought to myself, “Oh, what is wrong with me, I need to write but can’t think of a subject.  I haven’t been on an exotic vacation to Africa or won a million dollars in the lottery so what can I write about?  Maybe I had  developed a condition that I named writers block therefore I looked writers block up in the computer.  Well dog gone, I saw that condition already existed so I began to read.

In one place it explained that one could have this due to anxiety.  In another place it said that I needed to be inspired.  Then there was the place that said I needed to have good content when writing so that folks would not loose interest.  Another place stated this condition could last for years.

Now prior to reading all this, I read a lot of other good blogs by some very good bloggers who had been doing this for awhile.  I even read where people were giving tips on how to blog and write without getting discouraged. Other places suggested that I link to content.  One place I saw where I was suppose to get a professionals advice.

To sum this all up, I just want to say that prior to reading I thought that I was totally unique in having this thing called WRITERS BLOCK or maybe as a Boomer my brain was slipping or something.  Then I came across something that made sense to me.  I have a favorite saying which is, Suit Up and Show Up.  I read where it said to just sit down to write as a beginning.  So after all that reading I am right back with my favorite saying.  I suited up and showed up and here I wrote.  With all of this in mind I now realize that I have not lost my sense of humor, am not unique and there is nothing wrong with me.  So if any of you can relate to this please let me know because I REFUSE TO HAVE WRITERS BLOCK!  Can you relate? If so maybe I helped someone by letting them know they are not alone.  So folks if you are wanting to write just keep on smiling, profiling and most important just SIT DOWN AND WRITE.  :)

When Illness Strikes Are You Prepared?

Preparation for Illness

When illness strikes it can be swiftly and without warning.  This can be devastating if you are not prepared.   When one is not feeling well it is more difficult to think and respond as one should.  How many of us though really take the time to set up small things in our lives that help us when something happens unexpectedly?

I have read where boomers are living longer.  Some are living alone.  Some may not have near by relatives or friends that can be there for them on a minutes notice.  Some times we may just need to prepare small things for ourselves in order to deal and carry out our own responsibilities as they happen.

Our thinking can effect our life situations and how we feel.   Do we think positive for positive results?  Are we prepared when our thinking might not be at its best until we have time to recover? In skilled nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, professionals work with patients to help them think and prepare.  Maybe it would be good to focus on just a few of these things today. Also if one is fortunate to have a person to assist them then having these things done in advance could also make it much easier for another to assist us.

  1. Do you have a full bottle of an over the counter pain reliever in your medicine cabinet at all times?
  2. Do you have plenty of liquids in your home that might go easy on your stomach if it gets a little upset?
  3. Do you know that it is better to take most medicines after eating a little something to keep the medications from upsetting your stomach?
  4. Do you know that ice is for swelling?  Do you know when to use ice or heat?
  5. Do you have a small first aid kit available?
  6. Do you have a small bag packed with small necessities such as tooth brush, a change of night clothing, brush, comb, or any small items that you use on a daily basis?
  7. Do you have a list of your medications written down with the dosages in case you have to go to the Dr. or a hospital?
  8. Do you have your insurance cards in a place where you can find them easily?
  9. Do you know that in addition to a co pay some insurances have an out of pocket expense to be met before the insurance company starts paying.  Some physicians offices and hospitals require this to be paid prior to non life treating emergencies before treatment?
  10. Do you have an advanced directive written which is also called a living will in case you are unable to speak for yourself?
  11. Do you have a list of phone numbers written down in case your cell phone has lost its charge and your numbers are in it?  This will include your Dr.,relatives, hospital, employer, fire dept, police and etc.
  12. Do you keep Popsicles, small cups of pudding, jello,canned soup,ice cream and etc. on hand instead of having to run to the grocery store if you get sick in the middle of the night or there is a snow storm outside?
  13. Do you keep enough gasoline in your tank in case you have to leave your home quickly and do not have the time to stop to fill your tank?
  14. If you have a pet is there enough pet food in your home to feed that pet for a few days?
  15. If you have a neighbor that you feel comfortable enough with, have you asked for their phone number and written it down in case of an emergency?
  16. Do you have an extra spare car and home key hidden somewhere?
  17. Do you really know how to put a large pill in your mouth to swallow so that you do not risk choking?  What would you do if you were alone and found that you were choking?
  18. If you wear glasses do you have a set of readers or a spare set of regular glasses somewhere in case yours break?  I would be up a creek if I had to drive or read without my glasses.
  19. When the electric goes out and there is no television but there is light, do you have some fun magazines, books, and etc. to keep yourself entertained until the electric has been restored?
  20. Have you ever put off doing the laundry until there is no more clean underwear?  What if you get sick and need a clean pair?
  21. Have you ever been late for something and the button just popped off your favorite shirt?  Do you have a needle and tread handy?
  22. Do you have new batteries in the flashlight by your night stand?  A flash light will do no good if the batteries do not work you know.
  23. Do you always have enough toilet paper on hand or do you get down to your last roll?
  24. Do you have an umbrella in your car and your home?  It does little good if your umbrella is in the car when you need to get to the car?
  25. Do you have an ice scraper and boots for that unexpected snow?
  26. Oh and how about a fly swat or old newspaper for that spider on the wall or the fly that flew in while the door was open.
  27. Do you keep inexpensive baking soda in your refrigerator?  It also has many many other purposes other that as a refrigerator fresher.
  28. Do you have a bottle of vinegar?  It too can be used for many different things.  Just read up on vinegar as a cleaning agent.
  29. Did you know that an infected tooth can carry infection to your heart which could result in death? Other wards keep your appointments for your dental check ups.
  30. Did you know there are many foods that can help lower blood pressure and others that increases blood pressure?  What are some of those foods?  Are you eating them?

Does any of this apply to you?  Have you really taken the time to think and prepare for the unexpected?  How well are you prepared to take care of yourself?”  Just keeping things as simple as we can and being prepared for the little things can make our lives a lot less stressful, don’t you think? As human beings we want to meet life’s challenges with our BEST thinking and preparation.  As we do this we move forward from simple to better, and negative to positive thinking. This enables us to be our best self and seek out the best in others. So again why not prepare so that when our brain may be a little weary we can let it rest a bit and feel the comfort of knowing that we are prepared to take care of ourselves.