Let's face it, retirement is not always what we thought it would be.  Dreams of travel, event planning, and catching up with close friends often get sidelined by the reality of day-to-day life.  But it's never too late to change course! 
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Imagine a bright, fulfilling future post-retirement even as society is pushing the stereotype of “old and Irrelevant." Here are 5 fun ways to re-engage in activities that will makes a difference:

1. Retirement your way means you get to choose:

• WHO you want to work with (based on corporate ethics, product lines, alignment with your values)
• WHAT you want to work at (something you mastered or something you always wished you could try)
• WHEN you want to work (part-time, full-time, sometimes)
• WHERE you want to work (on site, at home, away from home, or some hybrid:or a beach remote, or a hybrid model),
• WHY you want to work (socialization, money, activism, or personal growth),
• HOW much do you want to be paid? 

2. Uncover-Recover-Discover who you were born to be.  Children are magical before life gets hard.  If you feel beaten down,  connect the dots all the way back to childhood and remember what you dreamed of and wished for in child’s play.  When work and play meet again, it sparks joy.  And isn’t that what we wish for most in retirement?

3. Think differently about work.  I retired early from corporate work because I lost tolerance for office politics. The world since Covid is much different than the one we first quarantined from in 2020.  Employees have stronger voice and choice than ever before.  Employers learned that they can achieve profits with greatly reduced overhead by allowing remote or hybrid workplaces.  Mutual trust is required for sustainability.

4. Don’t settle. It’s a sellers market out there with good paying jobs open to every age and skill level.   Consider whether you want the socialization of being with co-workers all the time, some of the time, or none of the time.  Explore, interview, learn what feels right, and stay with the thing that makes your heart happiest.  By now, we know life is short so don’t waste one precious minute. 

5. Build a life you love.   Join a club or group, travel again, take up a new hobby, volunteer, find a passion and purpose and pursue it for pleasure.  Yes you can make a difference.  You just have to want to, and take baby steps to get there.

6. Connection matters.  Retiring can be a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends. Whether it's through social media, email, or good old-fashioned snail mail, staying in touch with your friends is always a good idea.  Bond with your family where you can.  It may be taking care of grandchildren or just spending quality time together, family is always important.

7. Mind the body-mind connection.  Staying physically active is crucial for retirees. My work in nursing homes taught me preventative steps to maintain independent living.  Major glute, core, and leg muscles affect both balance and toileting.  The two biggest reasons people need caregivers, closely followed by memory care.  Dancing helps jog your memory and keeps joint limber.  Swimming reduces stress, mentally and physically.  Seniors need assistance if either body or mind become too much to self-manage.  

8. Plan Ahead.  Retirement is a great time to start planning for the future. Whether it's financial planning, estate planning, or simply making a bucket list, it's never too early to start thinking about what's next.  ​There's no need to feel like retirement is the end of the road. There are plenty of ways to stay engaged and active in retirement. By following these tips, you can make the most of your retirement and enjoy a bright, fulfilling future.

As the world opens up post-pandemic, so do our options.  #GiftsofCovid ​

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You can also join us on Facebook for The Grandmother Effect.

In light of the Texas elementary school shooting yesterday, I’m going to hug my grands a little closer today.

I taught workplace violence survival skills in both healthcare and manufacturing settings. I was a card carrying concealed weapons woman much of the time. Let’s be clear. Victims are not the problem that needs to be mitigated here.

10 years of active shooter drills in schools have taught small children things we wished they didn’t need to know about living “free” in America. the drills themselves create anxiety as one of my own grandchildren mistook the lifelike “door handle rattling” as a real intrusion. The trauma of life threatening moments - real or imagined - are not easily forgotten.

The ‘more guns mean more safety’ jargon we hear after the fact only lines the pockets of commercial greed and political ambition. For the small fee of dispensable lives. Lives that only seem to matter when they touch yours. Our children our not safer. Neither are we.

Where’s your heart America? #votevotevote #sensiblegunlaws make sense.

Please share if this spoke to you.
—Kim

What's more important for happiness - your head or your heart? This is a question that has been debated by philosophers and scientists for centuries. Some people believe that you should use your head to make decisions, while others think that you should trust your heart. In this blog post, we will explore the different aspects of both the head and the heart, and see which one is more important for happiness.

The head is the logical part of the brain. It is responsible for thinking, planning, and making decisions. The head is often seen as the more rational part of the brain. When you use your head to make decisions, you are usually basing your decision on facts and logic. For example, if you are trying to decide whether or not to quit your job, you might use your head to think about the pros and cons of doing so. You would weigh the benefits and drawbacks of quitting, and then make a decision based on that information.

The heart is the emotional part of the brain. It is responsible for feelings and emotions. The heart is often seen as the more intuitive part of the brain. When you trust your heart, you are usually basing your decision on your gut feeling. For example, if you are trying to decide whether or not to quit your job, you might use your heart to think about how you feel about your current situation. You would listen to your intuition and make a decision based on what feels right for you.

So, which is more important for happiness - the head or the heart? The answer may surprise you. Research has shown that both the head and the heart are important for happiness. In fact, they are equally important! This means that you should use both your head and your heart when making decisions in your life. Trust your head to give you the factual information that you need, and trust your heart to give you the emotional guidance that you need. When you do this, you will be able to make decisions that are in line with both your head and your heart. And when your head and your heart are in alignment, happiness will follow.

So next time you're trying to make a decision, don't forget to use both your head and your heart. Listen to the logical part of your brain, and listen to the intuitive part of your brain. And trust that when you do this, happiness will follow. Thanks for reading! I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you!

Hugs,
--Kim

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends! Thanks for reading! :)

People don’t move until the pain of where they are is greater than the fear of where they’re going.  And, it usually means they’ve had all the pain they can stand.  Think of it as standing on the ledge of a burning building.  To remains means certain death, but to leap means an uncertain future.  Not always easy alternatives to face.

EMBRACE CHANGE
Most of us play it safe. We stick to what we know and are comfortable with. It can be scary to leave our comfort zones and embrace change. But it's worth it! Taking risks can lead to personal growth, new opportunities, and a more fulfilling life.  We open ourselves up to new experiences and possibilities. We may discover hidden talents or passions, and we can learn and grow in ways we never imagined.

TAKE THE QUIZ
If we want to truly live, we must be willing to take risks.  It means squarely facing “the devil you know” and choosing to walk away for the sake of your unwritten story and unfulfilled dreams.  That may mean leaving our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. It can be scary, but it's worth it. Only by taking risks can we grow and achieve our dreams.  Here's the link for our free quiz to help you find your next steps.

NEXT STEPS
So next time you're feeling scared, remember that it's normal - and it's worth it. Jump into the unknown and see what amazing things await you. Subscribe in the sidebar for latest posts on these upcoming topics!

-The Power of Taking Risks: How to Create the Life You Want by Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
-Why You Should Embrace Change and Take Risks: The Benefits of Stepping Into the Unknown
-How Taking Risks Can lead to a More Fulfilling Life
-Tips for Taking Smart Risks: How to Make the Leap Into the Unknown
-The Fear of Change: Why We Resist and What to Do About It
-Making the Leap: How to Overcome Your Fear of Change and Take risks
-How to Know if You're Ready for a Major Life CHANGE

TAKE THAT LEAP OF FAITH. You’re worth it!
--Kim