Archive for the ‘retirement’ Category

Snowed-In

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

We are snowed-in.  Twenty  inches makes for a beautiful winter wonderland.

The snowfall made me aware of how important it is to be flexible.  My weekend was planned with shopping, the grandkids coming to decorate the tree and spend the night, buying and mailing last minute presents and baking cookies.  Everything, except for baking cookies, had to be put on hold.

Instead, I decided to go with the flow and enjoy the snow and the warmth of our house. We watched a movie, shoveled snow-an endless task- and relaxed.  It made for a very pleasant day. I had to remind myself that whatever had to be done would get done just not as efficiently as I had it organized in my mind. In order not to be anxious about the undone tasks I literally have to tell myself to let it go.

I see flexibility as a conscious activity.  We have a choice to make: keep fretting or decide to accept what we cannot change and make the best of it.

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Posted in Grow With Kristina, Making Changes, boomers and beyond, communication, growth mindset, relationships, retirement, vibrant after fifty | No Comments »

Blog Talk Radio Interview by Connie Green

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Today I was interviewed by Connie Ragen Green who is teaching me all about how to create a successful internet business.  The focus was on my business which is teaching people how to upgrade their lives and enhance their relationships.   I do this by teaching healthy self growth and relationship skills which increase happiness, the ability to deal with whatever life brings, and relationship satisfaction.

What I enjoyed was how freely Connie tied in examples from her life to illustrate the points I was making.  Anyone who listens to this interview will get a good idea as to what it means to increase your emotional fitness.  We talked about options  one has when one is in a personal or work situation which squelches people.  We got into a lengthy sequence on what to do when ones feelings are hurt.  I shared  specific tools that will help people  get back in control and figure out what action to take.

You can listen to this interview here.

I would love to hear your comments and suggestions about our interview.

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Posted in Grow With Kristina, Making Changes, communication, relationship skills, relationships, retirement, self-growth | 3 Comments »

Long Time Friendships Help You Live Longer

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

A dear friend of mine sent me a copy of an article by Tara Parker-Pope with the title :  WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR? A LONGER LIFE.  The gist of the article is that one of the most powerful weapons for slowing aging and prolonging life is to have good friends. In addition to sending the article to me,  she emailed it to two other mutual friends.

The four of us  met in the graduate student dorm at the University of Minnesota.  Our friendship has lasted over 40 years. In the last 15 years we started having yearly five day reunions.   We have been there for each other through the joys and tribulations that life brings.

It is interesting to read that researchers are now validating what the four of us long ago figured out. We knew that our friendship made our lives richer and that our bond  augmented our lives.  What we did not know was that it would also help us live longer.

Developing and keeping good friendships needs to be added to the recommendations on how to age vibrantly.

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Posted in Grow With Kristina, relationship skills, retirement | No Comments »