Just a bit of complaining.....

I am so late with everything this month. How can it be April 17 already? Why have I procrastinated so much on getting a blog written and starting my newsletter? Why is it so cold out?

So many questions, so few answers. I can make the excuse that we only arrived home 2 1/2 weeks ago, but that just sounds entitled. (plus I had my laptop in Mexico so not really an excuse). I can, well, have been complaining about the miserable cold windy snowy weather, but again - entitled. When one is fortunate enough to escape Canada's winter for 3 months, no one, and I mean no one wants to hear it. So why have I not been taking action? I think the answer in a nutshell is that I have had some heavy things weighing on me. My response seems to be an inability to come up with positive creative thoughts. It's silly, I know; I have a lot of practices that are supposed to help with this but said practices don't always work.

So let's talk aging!! There's a cheery one for us all. I don't know if it's the nearness of the big 7-0 but hoo boy have I ever been mulling over, again, all the different aspects of it. I know I am so very fortunate to be active (I was going to type 'spry' but that word tends to refer to an old person doesn't it?) flexible, healthy and energetic. I shared an anecdote on Facebook a few weeks ago, that really drove home the fact that I still think I'm 35. That is a great mindset isn't it, until you pass a mirror - then it's a shock. As my friend recently said "we are looking out from the inside and don't see ourselves the way we actually look".

Interesting, just typing all of this out has been pretty helpful (to me anyway!) I am reminded of everything I have to be grateful for. There is no way to stop aging and the wrinkles are here to stay; not only that, I suspect they may be multiplying in the coming years. I have a great skin care routine and am getting better at wearing a hat or visor in the sunshine. I do get a few newsletters on healthy aging; well I guess that is also what mine is about isn't it? It's been affirmed that we can't stop the aging process, but we can make choices that allow us to continue to be active and enjoy those hard-earned retirement years. Two of the best newsletters out there with the goal of healthy active aging are by Eating to 100 Dan Buettner and Super Age. Both of these newsletters and websites contain a wealth of information. Reading through some of my favourite resources reminded me of the basis of Pro-Aging. Be active, eat mostly whole foods, enjoy a social life, have a purpose and more. Check out the full list here. If you can check off most of these 9 items you're all set for Pro-Aging.

Let's add one more practice to keep feeling young: Dress well & care for your appearance. I was in line at the post office today and was admiring the well put together outfit of the lady in front of me. She was wearing stylish pants, cute boots with a little heel, coordinated layers on the top and a cool 'newsboy' hat. I wanted to take her picture, especially when she turned around and I saw that she was likely well into her 80's. The attendant commented to me that she is always well-dressed and one time was wearing ripped jeans with a gorgeous belt; always perfect accessories and jewelry. Now I am sure that gorgeous woman was not agonizing over her 'signs of aging'! Nope she was just concerned about looking fabulous every day. I am inspired!!

Happy Easter everyone!

Pat xo