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Written By: Pamela Tudor Emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware of your emotions and how they affect your behavior, and being able to use this greater awareness in your relationships. Emotional intelligence (EI or sometimes referred to as EQ) differs from cognitive intelligence (IQ). There is much research shows that emotional intelligence is more of a factor for success in life tha IQ.

This article is the final conclusion to the article series about the sins, or reasons for obesity in the western culture from the last seven articles. Let’s just go through the process of how it all started: It began with the use of a vehicle – a car for getting around, which immediately reduced our physical capacity to walk and thus deprived our own ability to exercise.

We are learning more and more that playing cards, board games and crossword puzzles can delay the memory loss associated with Dementia. This is great news and adds value to having a Companion Caregiver. Some of my favorite clients are my “companion” cases. Home Care isn’t just for those with physical limitations, we also serve a large number of clients that simply put-need a friend. Sounds so simple but human contact and stimulation can help bridge the gap between being lonely and being alone.

written by: Patrick Roden “Watching a peaceful death of a human being reminds us of a falling star; one of a million lights in a vast sky that flares up for a brief moment only to disappear into the endless night forever.”rn -Elisabeth Kubler-Ross I was handed a sympathy card the other day and informed about the death of a coworker’s parent; then was asked to write something.

That’s not a typo. It’s a reference to the detritus left over by bullies who push our buttons. Make that bullies and other kinds of emotional abusers. Be warned – this isn’t going to be one of those screeds where forgiveness is the answer and won’t we all feel better if we just let go of all of our negative feelings. I’m not there yet, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be. I’m still picking through that lint, and I’ve noticed that a lot of other people my age are doing the same thing.

Written By: Gary Altman. Esq., CFP Oh that’s where that is!” – a common catch phrase during spring cleaning. We’ve all done it – put something in a “safe” place, only to forget exactly where that safe place is. Maybe you can’t track down the spare car key or perhaps you’ve misplaced the gift you bought for grandson’s birthday which is next month…it happens. And, hey, let’s face it – our memories are not quite what they were 20, 30 years ago. That said, when it comes to your estate planning documents, you simply cannot afford to let them get lost in the sauce! Hide and Seek

written by Pauline Derby, EFT-CC IMAGE HEALING HYPNOSIS It’s alright to FEEL anger. It’s perfectly NORMAL to feel hurt and upset or rejected, even betrayed. What’s NOT ALRIGHT is to allow your anger or sadness to devour you or leave you feeling dejected or devoid of power, energy, and spirit. Some of us FEAR anger and DENY sadness. We smother our emotions, scared to feel too much. (If we felt them with all their magnitude, could they take us over?) In actuality, emotions can only hold the power that we assign to them! On their own, they are only words.

written by Coach Carolyn Being estranged from someone can be very difficult, complicated, emotionally draining, frustrating and hurtful on a daily basis. How do you not to let a situation be fatal to the relationships that are important to you?

written by Allan J. Hamilton, MD, FACS The Great Depression shaped two earlier generations. It changed how our parents worked and saved. It haunted my grandparents. As hard as it has been to experience this most recent economic turmoil, we must hope that our generation of Baby Boomers will emerge from the Great Recession of 2008 having learned some valuable, enduring lessons that will teach us how to our find less stress, more stability, and enhanced well-being in our lives.

For those of you who are still apprehensive to get a flu shot, we wanted to give you 3 reasons why we think you should push forward and get your flu shot (or flu mist for those of you who don’t like needles). The flu shot will not, and cannot make you sick with the flu. The dead virus is….well…..dead, meaning it cannot act on your bodies immune system. Without further ado, here are 3 reasons to consider getting this year’s seasonal flu vaccine.

Feeling a lack of self-worth takes an incredible toll on our effectiveness in being family caregivers — as well as on our own health and well-being. When we feel a lack of self- worth or self-regard, we are out of rapport with our inner self.

written by Donna Marie Thompson, PhD. Quote: “Faith is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active.” Edith Hamilton When the world around you appears dark and ominous, faith can be your beacon of light. We have no control whatsoever over the outside world and the random events that happen all around. We do have full control of our thoughts and our faith to help bring us around to find a way through. Seek the truth.

By: Dr. Michael J. Kaye I frequently hear this question from my baby boomer patients. The males complain that it takes them longer to heal when they exercise too much. They say they just can’t get rid of their love handles. My female patients complain of weight gain and whole body fatigue. I want to share some information that can help everyone heal faster, lose weight, and improve energy levels. Since March is Nutrition Awareness Month, it is appropriate that this information has to do with our diets.

If someone were to ask you to create a of picture ‘comfort’ in your mind, what images would you create? It is a question that I have asked people, in order to find out how people interpret comfort. I was surprised at some of the answers, which made me question people’s perception of how they interpret comfort in their daily lives. I imagined the usual sunset across the ocean imagery and the sound of lapping waves. But as I continued the questioning, I began to realize the imagery relates to how we want to feel in our minds. Comfort is as an emotional state of well being.

written by Bob Schulman Maybe there’s something in the water. Or on the hillsides overlooking two of western Mexico’s most breathtaking bays. Whatever it is, Manzanillo seems to draw ultra-rich hotel developers like kids to a pinata.

written by Phyllis Steinberg A Latin America Sailing Sensation I heard about a bi-centennial celebration in Cartagena, Colombia and wondered if, as a baby-boomer, I could make the trip. There would be many people attending this celebration and could I keep up with them? I decided to embark on the adventure and was glad that I did. The Colombians are a friendly people and went out of their way to help me whenever I needed assistance with directions, getting in and out of taxi cabs and with my limited knowledge of Spanish, the official language of the country.

For the first time in history, we have four – some people argue five – generations in the workforce: the Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y. The normal stresses in the workplace are being exacerbated by the fact that the leading edge of the 79 millio Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are not moving out of the workforce as expected. The likely result will be increasing conflict among the generations over jobs, pay, benefits and advancement opportunities.

In Part 1, a method of pelvic movement was described that helps sustain prolonged sitting in an Ergonomic chair, for users who need to sit all day in productive employment. An exercise was shown that helps improve this movement, as well as its purpose. It was also explained why postural comfort does not come naturally and how we need to learn methods of how to make normal tasks easier. Being a baby boomer, our bones are not as strong and we need to learn to do things a little differently, using a safer and easier method.

There is continual discussion on this topic involving nutrition, environmental impact, pesticides, toxins and the list goes on. Personally, I have done some research and have come up with a path that I follow regarding organic vs. non organic and I would like to share a few tips with fellow boomers.

Tone Up and Burn Calories with Winter Sports Let it snow! Now is the time to bundle up and head outdoors for some invigorating winter sports. Outdoor activities burn calories to defend against winter weight gain. You'll maintain your cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance and coordination while having a good time. You'll breathe fresh air and soak up a dose of Vitamin D with the exposure to sunlight, which can also help fight seasonal depression.

Today, I want to talk to you about the Medicare Hospice benefit. Now, I know that many of you reading this aren’t quite of Medicare age, but most insurances follow Medicare’s guidelines, so they are applicable in most cases.

written by Patrick Roden The years teach much which the days never knew. -Ralph Waldo Emerson Stanley Sime passed away at the age of 90, his obituary noted he loved growing flowers and vegetables and sharing them with others. He was also involved in Habitat for Humanity and enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop. I first knew Stanley as the man who drove the BIG yellow school bus past my home each night after delivering the children safely to their mothers. He never failed to greet me with a smile and wave as the empty bus rattled by.

written by Betty Lynch Summer time is here, and it is going to be a hot one in Texas this year. So I am pulling out the easy pasta recipes that will turn dinner time into yummy and not so hot in the kitchen time. Pasta can make quick and easy meals. I am so grateful for my readers and for sending me their favorite recipes. Thank you and please keep them coming. Smiles and hugs from Texas. Yummy Pasta Dinner 1 large onion thinly chopped 2 cloves of garlic, smashed, then chopped 1 20 oz. can of diced tomatoes in juice 1 bunch of fresh spinach or a bag or chopped frozen spinachr

In the last days of 2009, Congress let the federal estate tax die for 2010. That’s right, for those who are “smart” enough to pass away this year, there is no federal estate tax. I’m imagining that Dr. Kevorkian’s 800-number will be ringing off the hook on New Year’s Eve. But according to the Financial Planning Association of Washington, D.C., individuals and families should keep their eyes on another big estate tax issue — a potentially huge hit from their home state.

According to a study that came out on August 23rd 2010 in Canada, it was found that in two groups of baby boomers who ate exactly the same foods in a one month period; the group who drank 2 glasses of water before their meal, lost significantly more weight than the group who did not drink water before their meal. This is significant in weight loss for the baby boom population, because they are less active than their counterparts and therefore exert less physical energy; but it also effect the timing of drinking any type of water for hydrating our body, even when trying to lose weight.

So, what can we gather about a person that is important prior to our date? First is compatibility. Emotions are held in the vowels while consonants represent our attitudes. Thus, the first question is, do you have similar vowels? The more vowels you have in common, the easier it is to “get” the other person. The first vowel in the first name[1] is the most important as it determines our overall communication style. The ideal is to find someone with your same vowel. However, that would be quite limiting. The next best is to find a person with a compatible vowel.

You have a 401K or IRA, and you’ve been contributing for decades…that’s great! But do you know where your money is invested? When asked, most boomers reply, “At the bank” or “With my broker.” No wonder so many boomers are financially unprepared for retirement. In fact, a recent Associated Press survey shows that most boomers are nowhere near ready for retirement. Consider these findings: Only 11% of boomers say they are strongly convinced they will be able to live in comfort 44% of boomers express little or no faith they’ll have enough money when their careers end

written by Staci Warsaw Let’s talk about a thing called “levels of care”. The hospice benefit has four of them.

The term boomerang kid emerged during the tough economic cycle that forced grown children back in with their parents. The boomerang, an instrument used by aboriginal people in Australia is thrown in the air only to return back to the sender. While grown children returning home can be a positive experience for the young adult, as well as the aging parent. It can also put a strain on the family, particularly if there is a financial burden that affects retirement needs. My son was to complete his time in the Army at the same time he came back from Iraq.

As Baby Boomers, many of us grew up in that splendid era of Beatles songs (Imagine all the people living life in love….All you need is love….With a little help from my friends….Strawberry fields forever….). Perhaps you have been reminiscing so much about the past (Yesterday….) that you have not been really living in the present. * Have you been so busy lately that you keep putting off that diet you promised to start or that 20 minute walk you were going to take every morning?r

written by Jim Duzak I’ve written previously in Boomer-Living about mediation, and why it’s usually better than litigation as a way of resolving disputes in divorce cases. But mediation can also provide lessons on how to prevent divorce by resolving disputes in relatively healthy marriages.

Whether you are picking up a feather or a sack of potatoes; the principles of bending over and reaching to the floor are the same. Always remember that your spine is not designed to bend into a 90 degree angle. There is no flexibility in the spine. It is your legs that need the movement and not your spine.

Written By: Angelena Craig As boomers we are growing older, not so far off from what was once called old age. We can dismiss these scary and unpleasant thoughts, perhaps until we notice one or more of the following… * When we look in the mirror, we appear less attractive. * We get our first pair of reading glasses. * We have less energy than before. * There are more aches and pains felt in our body. * Our hair thins.We have a chronic medical condition. * We forget things.

By: Donna Thompson, PhD. “When you have come to the edge..and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing…there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.” Patrick Overton

As this article goes to press, it seems that Congress is hell-bent on giving us a health care bill that they promised will not cost the American public a single dime in new taxes. How many times have we heard promises like that? Social Security was promised to be only a 1 percent tax on the first $1,200 of earnings when it was introduced. Social Security benefits were promised to never be taxed. Medicare was promised to be the solution to rising health care costs for seniors. These two programs are now the largest spending items in the federal budget.

A new year: 2012. Some will set goals or resolutions. But I want to encourage you to do something more courageous: Dare to have vision for your life, family, faith, career, community and nation. If we don't live with vision, then we live aimless lives. The writer of Proverbs says it well: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 I like to put a positive spin on it: Where there is a vision, the people flourish! It is time for us to flourish and prosper again as a nation and as a people. Vision is not born in a vacuum. It is a process: Vision

On one of his old comedy albums, Steve Martin tells the joke, “You know what’s great about getting old? You don’t have to have an open mind about trying anything new. When one of your friends says, hey, let’s try this new thing, you can just say … NO!”

Be Your Own Best Supporter! We all want to feel self-confident. It feels so wonderful to be able to walk into a room, speak to people and feel self-assured. Feeling comfortable in your own skin – priceless! Most of us seek confidence in our environments with the people, places and things that make up our world. We rarely find it there; instead, it is discovered within us. This is where our own positive self-talk plants the seeds that blossom into a healthy self-esteem and respect.

If anyone was going to succeed at retirement it is was Al. An accomplished artist, we first met at a Christmas party of a mutual friend. He was eagerly awaiting retirement as an administrator from a large Califo ia university. He was looking forward to entering a new career as an artist. I was delighted when we recently ran into each other at an artist reception. “How’s retirement Al?” I inquired enthusiastically. “Are you finding the time to paint?” “Actually,” he replied. “My time is being fretted away. I love to relax in the morning with a cup of coffee reading the paper.

“Know the Name; Know the Person, Decoding Letters to Reveal Secrets Hidden in Names”, is the result of fifteen years of direct observation and research on names. This research was followed by three years of testing and is the foundation for which this column is based.

Part #1 – the first 15 Baby Boomers and those retiring are entering grandparenthood. Our generation was the largest in history and many of our children are jumping into family life in just as big a way. Use this two part list of 26 things to grandchildren proof your home. This time of your life can be one of the rewards for all of your years of hard work. The 15 basic things you need to grandchildren proof your home. You may have heard these before, but just in case you haven’t: 1.) Pick up all breakables that little hands could reach or knock over

The process of getting older reminds me a lot of what Ernest Hemingway had to say about going broke. He commented that people go bankrupt in two ways: “…gradually and then suddenly”. That seems to be how old age sets in too. There’s the slow cumulative effect over decades…arthritis, change in blood vessels, osteopenia.

How does it make you feel when someone expresses their sincere gratitude to you? Do you accept their thanks gracefully? Do you tend to discount the significance of what they are so grateful for? Or, do you brush it off with a quick “you’re welcome” and move on?

With no family history of cancer, you just don’t expect your sister, who is ten years younger than you are, to get this diagnosis. You’re hit in the stomach. You think, what can I do? Reality sets in, you read, talk to friends and doctors, form a plan with her. * I love you. I want to help. I want to support and be with you. * You are strong, smart, positive and have many friends and family close by.r

It’s Monday and I’ve accomplished absolutely nothing today. I just can’t seem to get motivated. I guess it’s time to check my alignment once again. What’s that? Check my alignment? Why whatever do you mean?

From the very beginning, baby boomers were set up to fail at the retirement game. Our shear numbers made it difficult for institutions, social security and employers to put enough away for us to retire. We bought into the myth of retirement. But, just because life hasn’t worked out exactly as we planned doesn’t mean we can’t find meaning and create a good life in retirement. What is the myth of retirement? The myth is you will reach an age, usually between 62 and 65, in which you will receive a gold watch from your long-term employer.

Written by Janie Knetzer Owning a dog is a wonderful experience. The unconditional love and companionship that you receive from a dog can often be unmatched. On the other hand many dog owners become frustrated with unwanted behavior on behalf of their dog. They feel nothing can be done to correct unwanted dog behavioral problems such as leash pulling, aggressiveness, jumping, barking, separation anxiety, digging and so on.

Dear Jim: My wife and I have been married fourteen years (second marriages, all kids are grown). I’m already retired, and my wife has decided to retire next June at age 64 after a long career teaching Spanish in high school. She recently announced, though, that she wants to join the Peace Corps after she retires, and work somewhere in Latin America. She says it’s something she’s dreamed about since college, and if she doesn’t do it now she never will. This would entail a two-year commitment, on top of two months of training in the U.S.

A mom called me saying she just wasn’t prepared for this empty nest. She read so many baby and teen books but nothing would help this sorrow she was feeling as an empty nester. Change is vulnerable. Change doesn’t mean, even if you read and prepare, that you won’t have days of inertia and sorrow for what is left behind. Our parenting roles shift and don’t travel in a straight line. It isn’t something you get over or suddenly get about this stage of life. Tears still fall. Good news, a freedom and joy do show up.

written by Dr. Karen Purcell, M.M., N.D., C.N. Many people think that all nutritional supplements are “created equal”. Well, that is simply not the case. Many, in fact, most of the supplements in the US are concocted in a laboratory. They are chemicals and synthetics. For example, if the word acid is used in the name of the product, it is synthetic. Like ascorbic acid or folic acid. These are chemicalized synthetic forms of Vitamin C Ascorbate or Folate (part of the B Complex series). So…what’s the difference?