Let's end January on a positive and encouraging note. There are a lot of people over the age of 50 who are still going strong and have positive attitudes about growing older. Hope you enjoy and they provide encouragement as you age. I just passed another birthday this month and I survived!
Growing older is not for whimps they say, but it's not all bad. There are a lot of things to be thankful for as we pass another year on the earth.
Enjoy!
    Jim Rohn:    If you really want to do something,                           you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll                   find an excuse.
            (My take: No matter how old you are, what your health, you can make plans, and have dreams. While they may not be the same ones you had when you were younger, you can still accomplish a lot, but you have to stop making excuses as to why you can't.)
    Steve Jobs:     Don't be trapped by dogma,                                      which is living the result of other    people's thinking.
            (My take: The world looks at growing older in many different ways. Don't let them determine your abilities, your worth, or your value. Create your own                 reality based on how you feel.)
    Donald Trump:  Anyone who thinks my story                                    is any where near over is sadly mistaken.
            (My take: You are the only one who knows how you feel and what you are capable of. Everyone ages at different levels depending on how we lived our younger lives. Don't let anyone tell you life is over at a certain age....that's YOUR call.)
    Henry Ford:   Anyone who stops learning is                                 old, whether at twenty or eighty.                              Anyone who keeps learning stays                            young. The greatest thing in life is            to keep your mind young.
            (My take: Keep learning! It's healthy for your brain! If you sit around and vegetate that is exactly what you will become - a vegetable!)
    Diane Keaton:    Just have fun. Smile, and keep             putting on lipstick.
            (My take: It's pretty straight forward. 😊)
                                 We can grow old gracefully, or                     gorgeously, I pick both.
            (My take: I couldn't decide which one I liked better.)
    Diane Lane:    I think that anybody that smiles                   automatically looks better.
            (My take: Once again, pretty straight forward.)
    Judi Dench:    I don't really want to retire. I                                      intend to go on working as long                              as I can because I still have a huge amount of energy.
            (My take: As I said earlier...when you slow down is YOUR call!)
Hope you  find encouragement in these thoughts by people who are in the over 50 years. Some are way over 50 or at least they were over 50 when they made the quote, as in Henry Ford's case. But when you are right, you are right whether you are still living or not. 😊    
Embrace your age, each new year has it's own issues, that is true...but each new year also has it's own rewards and blessings!
Did you find any inspiration in any of these quotes? Do you look for opportunities to learn and grow with each passing year? Tell me your thoughts, share them in the comments, they may help someone else.
XOXO

For years when I was busy raising my family, caring for aging parents, and working, I neglected my skincare. This is something I swore I would never do when I was childless and I had few responsibilities. This is one thing I wish I hadn't neglected - really bad choice.
So when I started looking for skin care products again, I went to some old favorites like Mary Kay, Aveeno, and other drug store brands. I have never paid for expensive skin care. I loved Mary Kay and some of the drug store brands; however, now that my skin is a bit older and has been neglected for all those years, I found that these brands weren't doing the job that I needed done. Mary Kay and Aveeno did the best, but I was still on the look out for a better alternative and more cost effective for my retirement budget. That's where Trader Joe's came in.
While shopping at Trader Joe's for about the fifth time (I only found them about three years ago when they finally put one in close to me), I found their health and beauty isle and spent some time reading labels. The Nourish Facial Cleanser and the Nourish Oil-Free Moisturizer really impressed me with their ingredients and the price ($5.99) so I gave them both a try. 
For $5.99 this is what you get:

Trader Joe's Nourish All-In-One Facial Cleanser
⦁    Dermatologist Formulated
⦁    Gentle Exfoliant (I used a washcloth with this)
⦁    Tearless (also dissolves eye make up)
⦁    Contains Antioxidants and Vitamins: Vitamins A, C, E, B5, D3, K, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Copper Peptides, and Green Tea Extract
⦁    Sulfate-Free
⦁    Soap-Free
⦁    Fragrance-Free
⦁    Suitable for all skin types
⦁    8.45 ounce pump bottle for $5.99
⦁    Just for fun note: has 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com        

Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer
⦁    Dermatologist Formulated
⦁    Absorbs Quickly
⦁    Lightweight
⦁    No Parabens
⦁    No Fragrance
⦁    Suitable for all skin types
⦁    Contains Antioxidants and Vitamins: Vitamins A, B5, C, D, E, K, CoQ10, DMAE, a-Lipoic Acid, Copper, Aloe, Shea, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Green Tea Extract, and Coffee Bean Extract    
⦁    6 ounce pump bottle for $5.99
⦁    Just for fun note: has a 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com
​
Let me tell you, I love this stuff! I have been using it for a little over two years and I can see a difference and I feel a difference. I even have my thirty year old daughter using it now and she loves it. Yes, there may be a 5 out of 5 stars combo on Amazon somewhere for another brand and not everyone will like this (of course, I don't know why they wouldn't) but for the price, it is full of good things.
I use one pump to wash my face and one pump to moisturize. It goes a long way and on the few occassions when I used something else (usually when traveling and forgot to pack it), I felt the difference.
My skin is not young any more and doesn't bounce back like it used to, so when I say I have found my holy grail of skincare, trust me, this is for me. (And no, I am not connected anyway with Trader Joe's other than just an average shopper who found a bargain.)

Have you tried Trader Joe's skincare products? Do you have a holy grail combo for your skincare? Have you been faithful to your skincare regimen or are you playing catch up as I am? Let me know what you are using or if you love Nourish as much as I do. Tell me your skincare story and hopefully help me and others. Join my email list and get more interesting stuff not discussed in this blog.
XOXO

Here are a few things that you should do and a few things you shouldn't do in the process of taking care of yourself. You need to protect your self-esteem and emotional well-being as much as your physical health. Enjoy!
1.    Be kind to others, but first to yourself.
2.    Don't put yourself down or talk bad about yourself, not even when talking to yourself.
3.    Hold on to your dreams and passions...don't give up on them.
4.    Remember, you have two choices "yes" and "no", don't be afraid of either.
5.    If something doesn't feel right to you, trust your gut. Don't do it!
6.    Avoid negative conversation, even if it's you talking to yourself. 
7.    Don't let others drag you into their negativeness, stay positive, even if you are trying to help them.
8.    The only time you can't start over or begin something new is when you are in the grave. Everyday is a new beginning!
9.    Don't depend on other people for your happiness, find it within yourself and share it with others.
10.    Live fearlessly, laugh often, and love always!
😊
XOXO

Most people put "lose weight" at the top of their new year resolution/goal list. At the close of the year, it goes right back on the next year and before long several years have passed and no one has lost any weight. Intentions are good, but will power is weak.
I have struggled with weight for the last fifteen plus years. It has not always been an issue for me, but I went through some personal issues about twenty years ago and it has pushed me towards emotional eating habits. I would much rather be my ideal weight that I maintained most of my life, but I am not going to let my weight hold me back from what I want out of life.
I know people who won't go anywhere because they feel like people will make fun of them because of their weight. That does happen, occassionally; not really make fun of you, but look and then start whispering. You don't know if they are whispering about you or the weather, but it makes you feel uncomfortable. In my humble opinion, that is their problem not mine.
Everyone has an issue of some sort to deal with. My husband and my daughter both have hearing issues. People (mostly young people) have made both of them feel self conscience because of their hearing difficulties. One child told my daughter in the third grade (my daughter wore hearing aids) that if she took those things out of her ears, she might be able to hear something. Well, fortunately, her self esteem was strong enough to handle that rudeness. No damage done.
Yes, I may lose weight this year. I have always made healthy choices when it comes to food, except when I am in emotional distress or under a lot of stress. This is an issue I continue to deal with. I go for the comfort foods during this time and that means ice cream, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and gravy, and just plain ole southern comfort. 
You may have losing weight on your list of goals this year and I am not telling you not to pursue that goal. I will be working on mine as well, I just don't want to focus on it this year and I want to see if that makes a difference. Sometimes the flaw we concentrate on too much, is the one that is the hardest to whip. So, we will see where I am in a few months. Everyone is different, this might work for me and not for you. (It may not work for me either.😊)
If you have this on your list, add it to your SMART goals and make actionable steps to insure your success. I know people who have whipped the weight thing doing this, so it does work. Maybe not every time, but if you lay out a plan and stick to it and follow the SMART goals guidelines, your chances for success are really good!
Is there a goal that you never seem to reach? Did you have a plan and then fall off the plan? Did you have a plan and it just didn't work? Please tell me your experiences. You may have the key to help me and others in reaching our goals.
XOXO

​Today is the start of a new year and a lot of people make new resolutions to enrich their lives in the new year. Unfortunately, most resolutions fall to the wayside a few weeks into the new year (usually within six weeks). So the key here, I believe, is to aim for twelve weeks (or three months). In twelve weeks you have passed that six week failure mark and you have more than likely developed a routine or changed your thinking so that you will succeed.  Make a three week, six week, nine week, and a twelve week checkin where you re-evaluate your resolution progress. Mark it on your calendar and when that date comes, do it! Re-evaluate your resolution progress.
⦁    Decide what you want to change or accomplish this year and write them down. You must write these things down or they will never have a chance of being done.  Name this list: Goals for 2016.
    Make your goals SMART:
        - be SPECIFIC
        - should be MEANINGFUL
        - ACTION ORIENTED (achieveable)
        - should be REALISTIC
        - should be TIMELY
(NOTE:This plan was created by George T. Doran and is used my many to achieve success in both business and personal goals. This is my interpretation of his original plan.. See credit at the end of this blog.)
⦁    Number each goal according to its importance. In other words, number 1 should be the goal that is most important to accomplish this year and move on down the list.
⦁    Start with Number 1 and lay out the steps to accomplish this goal. Number each step in order and write the steps directly under the goal.  Make them easy to accomplish by:
        - making steps simple to understand and realistic
        - directly related to the goal
        - include details required to accomplish each step
        - set deadlines and meet those deadlines. If you miss one, reset it immediately and                get back on schedule.        
⦁    Now, start with the first step of the first goal and work it until you reach success. Then move to the second step of the first goal until you reach success. Concentrate on this one goal, until you have attained success, then move to the first step of the second goal. Keep track of your progress on your list of steps with your SMART goal.
⦁    Don't overwhelm yourself with too many goals or too difficult goals. If you accomplish one really important goal this year, you have done better than last year. Of course, if you have several easier goals and a couple of difficult goals, then shoot for the moon, and if you fail at least you will land among the stars.    
⦁    When you have achieved your first goal. CELEBRATE! Make the celebration or reward applicable to your goal. (If it is weight loss, don't reward yourself with something that will add the pounds back on, instead reward yourself with a fun activity or a shopping trip).
    I have some goals I want to achieve this year, also. So, here's an offer for you. I'll show you mine if you show me yours! Seriously, if you sign up for my newsletter, I will send you stuff that may not ever be published on my blog. 
    When you sign up, I will send you:
    1.  A detail of the SMART goals process with a sample goal tracker..
    2. Other useful information to inspire you to set your life on fire in 2016!
    3. And just for fun, a special printable pdf adult coloring page created exclusively for the 
        On Fire and Over 50 community by a local artist.

Once you have signed up, I will send you progress updates on my own goals and other information to inspire you keep your life on fire in 2016. I will encourage you in your journey, but I also need your encouragement.
And as always, you can email me and share your goals, progress, challenges, or anything that is on your mind. Be sure to comment on this and any other posts. I love feedback!

    "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
                    - Albert Einstein

Stop the insanity and make a real plan. It is still up to you to follow the plan, but you can't follow a plan that you don't have.
What do you want to accomplish in 2016? Do you have a dream that you have waited to work on and this is the year? Are you dealing with a problem and you need a plan to help you find a solution? Turn your resolutions into goals, make a plan and start to work. Time is going to pass no matter what you do. Do you want to end this brand new year and still yearn to reach your goals? Or do you want to end this brand new year having achieved at least one goal and possibly all of your goals? The choice is up to you. Stay positive!
(Credit: Management Review, November 1981 issue, paper by George T. Doran, There's a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management's goals and objectives) 
XOXO