3 Attitudes to Beat the New Year Blues

A 39ers’ Guide to Shake off 2013 – You can do it!

I like to reserve my thoughts about the New Year until at least halfway through January. Okay, truth be told I’m a procrastinator and it’s nearly the end of the month.

With my New Year’s hangover long gone, I can’t seem to shake the pall of 2013. Some years continue to hold you hostage long after you’ve celebrated their demise. 2013 is that way for me.  Well … and 2012, 2011 … absolutely time for a change … you too?

So let’s get ON with it, 39ers! We have a New Year in front of us. Let’s attack it with new ATT-I-TUDE!

As 39ers, we want to be upbeat and happy about our age. Isn’t it a miracle that inside we can revel at our youthful attitude – at any age? We know though, with chronological growth, comes certain aches and pains – physical, emotional and intellectual ...

Mr. Murphy, the Move from Hell, & a Korbel Cheers!

Some of you know by now that I am a new resident of Santa Rosa, in the heart of California’s Wine Country!

Yes, I’ve left my beloved San Diego (not to mention kids and grandkids) to return to my native Northern California – although my roots are in a direct line from Santa Rosa to the state’s eastern border county, El Dorado, in the Gold Country – Sonoma County borders the ocean, and that works for me.

The ambivalent decision to move so far from my loved ones was not made lightly. However, cousins Ron (like my brother) and Jimmy (it’s his childhood home!) made a roommate offer I couldn’t refuse. (Think of us as The Golden Girls of Three’s Company. LOL!)

Although no one of retirement age wants to move – what an odious project at best – I’m hoping it will provide more time to work on my writing. Timing is everything …

You've heard of Murphy's Law, right? "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Ol' Murphy just LOVES me.

The plans were set – all was in order to move. Penske rental truck reserved, help on the way, 90% of “stuff” still in storage/boxes from earlier this year – easy-peasy, right? Ah, Mr. Murphy had his own plans …

Are You Where You Want to Be?

And … Will You Leave a Personal Legacy? 

[Note: You will have an opportunity to answer these questions in an essay. Everyone who enters will receive a free Lifetime Membership in the 39 and Holding Club! If already a member, designate a gift recipient. Read below for entry details.]

It’s been said many times, “we are not our parents’ grandparents.” Style, relevance, and most of all, ATTITUDE, define the current older generation – which is setting a Rock & Roll precedent for the future of society.

Moving into an unparalleled aging demographic, it’s the refusal to acknowledge sedentary “old age” that is also unique to this era of 40+ people.

If you are over forty and agree with those statements, take a moment to consider where you are in life. Introspection is frequent for those “of a certain age.” Lately I’ve been scratching my head, wondering what the hell was I thinking twenty, thirty years ago … how about you?

Not all people close to or already in retirement … OK, fewer than you might think … prepared for those once-called Golden Years. Even in a perfect scenario, it’s a daunting time as our lifestyles, minds and bodies undergo intense alterations. Add the Great Recession and it’s been pure, tarnished hell.

Are Fruits and Veggies a Natural Time Machine?

Take me back to 39 … take me back to 39 … take me back to 39 … no, silly, not the year, the AGE.

If I say it three times and munch a couple blackberries, will I be 39 years old again?! Slim, tennis-worthy, shiny hair (without L’Oreal’s auburn color)? Hmmmm … nope. Didn’t work.

Ah, well. However, I still believe aging is as much attitude as it is an unstoppable physical progression.

This doesn’t stop us from trying every miracle drug or food combination the next anti-aging guru puts forth. Bottom line (and I do mean the bottom pun) is our overall health and slowed aging benefits from offerings of the garden.

“… while many foods from chocolate to popcorn promise these health benefits, your best bet for a long, vibrant future begins with produce,” says Oprah.com on Yahoo!’s Shine.

Do I eat tons of fruit and vegetables? Sadly, no. As a kid, I consumed the standard veggies when forced to, and many basic fruits. But for some reason, they never became a standard in my diet. 

Although I’m told I look young “for my age” (appreciate and loathe that statement), and I’m relatively healthy, it’s possible my “extra” stubborn weight hangs on likely because I do not eat the good-for-you foods at an age when it truly matters.

How about you? Have your eating habits changed as an adult? For the better or worse? Or like me, have you tried to eat better, to no avail?

Fruits and veggies won’t turn back time, but …