How old is “older”? Well…I don’t know what the exact entry point is, but being in my mid 60s certainly puts me in in the “older adult” demographic. I can say with certainty that life is more beautiful than ever right for me right now. I’m not going to pretend that everything gets easier as…
All posts in Personal Growth
The Unexpected Gift of Daily Meditation Practice
-by Bill Plake- There are many benefits to be gained by simply dedicating some time each day to practicing meditation. It as been a tradition deeply revered and ingrained into the cultural fabric of various Eastern cultures. That’s not the case so much here in the “West”, where up until fairly recently it was largely…
Changing Lifestyle Habits: Starting with What’s Already Available
-by Bill Plake- If you’re like most people, you’ve considered at one time or another the possibility of improving your lifestyle health habits. I know I have (and continue to do so). Maybe you’d like to become more physically active. Maybe you’d like to start eating more mindfully. Or maybe you’d like to find a…
Finding Common Ground
-by Bill Plake- To say that we are living politically and socially turbulent times these days would be an understatement. As differences in our values and worldviews come into sharp contrast, so too do we tend to grow ever more passionate and (in many cases) inflexible about what we believe and hold dear to us.…
A Blessing In Disguise
-by Bia Plake- “Sometimes we need to believe that things happen for a reason. It is difficult to see a bright side when we are in the middle of a potentially dark, life altering change. But if we focus on what we want (something we have some control over), instead of focusing on what happened…
Coming to Terms with the Light and the Gloom.
-by Bia Plake “Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” – Carl Jung When I was 5 years old, my parents had a terrible car accident that made my dad stay in bed for over a year.…
Avoid These 6 Mistakes When Starting an Exercise Program
-by Bill Plake- Exercise is essential to the health and well being of people of all ages. And for older adults, regular, well-prescribed exercise has very particular, measurable benefits, as described in an article by the Harvard Medical School. For older populations, exercise can help: Prevent disease (particularly chronic, metabolic conditions, like diabetes, heart disease…
My (Not So) Secret Fountain of Youth
-by Bill Plake At the college where I teach, I reveal my age to the students on the first day of class. Most of them are somewhat surprised to find out I’m in my early 60s, figuring me for being years younger. So I ask them what it is that makes me appear younger to…
Another Marie Who Opened my Eyes.
-by Bia Plake- I recently wrote a post about Marie Kondo (see here the post) and her incredible talent for de-cluttering and organizing your belongings… Marie Forleo is another talented woman that helps empower and coach women to create businesses, and live the lives they desire. Her tag line is, “The world needs that special…
Not Being Afraid of Being Afraid
-by Bill Plake- “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anaïs Nin I’ve struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. Things that raise a mild concern in most people can too often bring me into a state of…