DON'T LET NEGATIVE PEOPLE STEAL YOUR JOY

 I know a lot of negative people that seem to not just be negative about a few things but everything in general.  I ask myself "Why?" when so many of these people appear to be blessed with so much but are they really?  I guess it depends on what one means by so much.

Lack of confidence, doom and gloom, distrust, and anxiety are a toxic cocktail mix.  You probably wonder how a person can survive with all that inside of them!  Yet, these negative people exist all around us and are impossible to avoid.  I am by no means saying that you will not have moments of despair, anxiety, and discouragement.  But,  as a positive person, you don't let these thoughts take over your lives.  You live by the four-to-one-ratio.  You generate four positive thoughts to each negative one, to keep situations from getting out of hand.

I have had many times in my life that I could have given in to despair but instead, I always kept a strong belief that things will get better.  In this recent month, we had three Real Estate transactions fall by the wayside through no fault of ours.  Yes, it was disappointing but did I throw my hands in the air and proclaim, "It's not fair, and I can't do this anymore?"  Absolutely not, I let my disappointment work the opposite, and I went right back at it.  

In my real estate business, I have known people that let others tell them what house to buy, or what neighborhood to live in or etc. etc. etc.  You can be certain that they are the negative squad that have not yet sorted out their own issues so it is much easier to tell others how to live their lives.  Negative people survive on worry and the fact that everything is going to go wrong.

I choose to concentrate on looking for the good things in life while still getting excited about an upcoming event or how awesome it feels to re-arrange the furniture and buying some fresh flowers for no reason.  Does this mean I am always happy and positive?  Of course not and I don't ever mind saying "I failed," because to me that means at least I tried.  Fake positive people only tell you when they succeed.

There have been times in my life because I try to be a positive person that I have been accused of living in denial and quite naive.  Being positive doesn't keep problems away from you, but you look for solutions.  One must listen to good advice and follow through with guidance.

Try working on being happy and positivity will come.

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

 “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. ...

SHOULD SENIORS GET A PUPPY?

 Now that is a good question and one I have been asked at least once a day while I am out enjoying a walk with my new fur baby, Gus.  First and foremost you have to be fit to get a puppy, as they require exercise.  Some people are fit right into their 80's and 90's while some people much younger are not fit at all so age shouldn't be a factor.  People ask "what if you die before the dog?", really, you can die at any age so should no one ever get a puppy?  I do feel when a senior gets a puppy that someone should be in place to care for the puppy in the event you cannot, and that would certainly be a good idea for everyone so a puppy does not end up in a shelter.   I think raising a puppy is a bit like raising children- the more you have in your life the easier they become.  I must say, I don't find puppies hard work at all, and I have raised several puppies along with three boys.  What memories I have and I would not trade those memories for anything in the world.

Moving to a new community when you are older is difficult as you leave friends behind to embark on your new venture to "Bloom Where You are Planted."  This recently happened to me, so what did I do? I went back to school and got my Real Estate License and I love my new career but something was still missing in my life and I knew exactly what it was...It was my heart's best friend, a dog.  I know when owning a dog (puppy), you are more likely to practice heart-healthy habits such as a good exercise routine, eating well-balanced meals, as well as developing good sleep habits.  Did you know that almost 40% of seniors experience loneliness on a regular basis (which research has associated with poor health, poor sleep, high stress, and more inflammation?  Pets will also help take your mind off pain.  All you ever have to do is look into your pet's eyes and you will get a boost of feel good.  Pets help you stick to a routine, you have someone who is totally dependent on you, and those empty hours are suddenly filled with feeding, walking, grooming, and playing with your fur baby as well as keeping your mind sharp. There is always someone at home to greet you.  You suddenly find yourself more social as you walk your pet and meet other pet owners.  I have found since having Gus, that I have connected with more people in this last month than I have since I moved to my new home.

So you have all my reasons for this senior getting a puppy and I don't regret it for a second.  Yes, I still work hard at Real Estate, and Sam and I have decided to take turns working at home until Gus is a little older.  For two seniors such as we are, becoming Sam, Helen Ann and Gus has been the best decision we ever made.  We are a family.  I personally think that dogs are absolutely amazing, they give unconditional love and for me, they are the role model for being alive.

Embrace Your Silver Locks

 Letting your natural hair shine thru is not a sign of letting yourself go, it is a sign of embracing who you are.  Say it with me "Gray Hair is Beautiful," whether you prefer it in a short bob or longer locks, or accessorizing with bold glasses, let those silver locks shine through.   

Going gray gracefully can be difficult as others shout their opinion to you.  Why are women made to feel old with gray hair while men are called silver foxes?  But you know what? whether you are 30 years old or 80 years young, nothing is more beautiful than a woman with confidence.  I call my silver locks wisdom-highlights, unlike the high expense of highlights in a salon, they are low maintenance.  You will never have to get them touched up and the more you have, the wiser you are.

Proverbs 16:31 says "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."  Your gray hair is a trophy to what you have accomplished and while you may never have received accolades on such things as raising a family,  dedicating yourself to a career, having grandchildren, and being blessed to see great-grandchildren come into the world, or added a new career in retirement, your silver hair is now a crown for all you have done. You know never to judge a book by its cover, so don't judge or ever underestimate that woman with silver hair.  Every one of those beautiful hairs tells a story of who she is and what life experiences she has faced with dignity and courage.  

I ditched the dye, uncovered a new me, a more authentic me.  I like looking in the mirror at that woman looking back at me reminding me I am pretty awesome.

A HEARTBEAT AT MY FEET

From having a tea party with my dog in a high chair to the present time, dogs have always been such an important part of my life, they can fill an emptiness that you didn't even know you had. Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love,  and when they depart, they teach us about loss.  A new dog never replaces the old dog, they merely expand the heart.  Each and every dog I have owned has a piece of my heart and maybe someday my heart will be as loving as a dog.  I remember my precious 70 lb. Lassie Collie by the name of Brandy that licked my tears away after my open-heart surgery, and never left my side.  He was so human that at the end of his life when he could no longer stand and we had to take him to visit Rainbow Ridge, he stood up for the first time in weeks and looked out the back window of our jeep for one last look at the home he loved so much while little Charlie, our Bischon who never was separated from Brandy, did not try to jump in the jeep with us as he always had in the past, he just sat on the steps and watched us go down the hill...dogs know!!   Brandy was the perfect dog, at least that's how I will always remember him.  He set my standard by which I have judged all other dogs to come.

The last dog I had was a rescue by the name of Riley.  Hers was such a sad story that no animal should ever have to experience. She was left in a crate for the first 4 years of her life, never socialized and as hard as Sam and I tried for over three years with some of the best training schools, we could not remove the aggression she had for other dogs.  We loved her so much and she loved us, but it was too late for us to undo the abuse she endured the first four years of her life.  She was always on guard protecting us and never would allow other dogs near us.  One horrible day she hurt a small dog and bit a lady just because they walked toward me.  We had to bear the hard fact that it was time to send her to Rainbow Ridge.  Now when I look back at pictures of her, I always see a tear in her eye where all the other dogs that I raised from puppies always had smiles.  I hope she finally is playing and enjoying life on Rainbow Ridge, free of the hurt she endured the first four years of her life.  

There was a German Shepard by the name of Ranger, that guarded my little boys just like a mother or father would.  I can still see him steering them away from trouble and when they would fall down, he would lay beside them.   Another Collie by the name of Sean that even made it to my oldest son's senior yearbook as he was so well-loved by the Senior Class of 1983 at Pitman HS in Pitman, NJ.

Now we have a new heartbeat at my feet by the name of Gus.  Gus is a Bernadoodle which is a mix of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle.  What a joy to once again have a puppy that will, I'm certain bring stories of his own.  I am once again playing "puppy fetch" and tug of war in the living room while introducing him to all size dogs, cats, bunnies, and such so he is well socialized.  I take Gus on outings and just sit on a bench and welcome as many people who would like to come and greet him. We are making socialization a priority.  UTube videos have been a wonderful resource for us.  Well-meaning friends have said, "Why on earth would you want a puppy at this stage in your life?"  To these well-meaning friends, I say "It is amazing how much love and laughter he is bringing into our lives and how much closer Sam and I have become because of him.

Robert Wagner said "A dog will teach you, unconditional love.  If you can have that in your life, things will never be all bad."