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Shirley W. Mitchell is known as a "Lace Over Steel™" Woman. What is a "Lace Over Steel™" Woman? A Woman who has a positive outlook towards "Ageless Living"! Shirley's Passion and Faith equals her Glow in Spirit - a Life-Long Committment to The Teachings of Experience. A Deep Creativity to Empower those to Reach for the Stars by Sharing Their Life Experiences, Defy Expectations and to Help Transform Every Stage of Their Lives. To Stimulate their Passion, Dreams, Faith, to Achieve the Greatest Return and Ignite the Spirit Within.
With a writing career spanning over 40 years, Shirley W. Mitchell's amazing life now encompasses being the Author of Five books, Co-Author of Three books, an On-Line Syndicated Column, On-Line Newsletter, Two weekly Syndicated Radio Shows, and an On-Line System consisting of 25 Websites, 13 BLOGS, and membership in over 21 Social Sites. She has Five more books in the process, with two of those coming out soon.
In the early years, Shirley wrote for, or had articles published in Progress, Christian Life, Sonlite Gospel, The Messenger, The Shantyman, Mature Living, plus several other publications. The articles and information within this Site will hopefully be an inspiration, motivation and remembrence of Life Experience for our viewers.
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Apr. 27, 1994 - Exercise-The Golden Egg Of Aging ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!
Aging during the "Age-Wave" is a HIGH SEA ADVENTURE!
According to Ken Dychtwald, author of Age Wave, the largest segment of our society will be over 50 years of age by 1996, when the leading edge of the baby boomers reach 50. Youthfulness and vigor will characterize the "Middle-Age Mass" of the '90's! A "fit" body cannot be bought! It takes knowledge of nutrition, exercise, discipline, time, and hard work.
If this author could market a "fit" body for "X" number of dollars, I would be a rich woman. However, since I can't sell you a "fit" body, I will give you some helpful. hints on "Personal Excellence" that will empower you to live a full life. Growing older without getting old can be attained through a positive attitude, a youthful, healthy lifestyle, and working hard toward a goal of personal excellence.
I'm inviting you to get excited about being strong enough to have lived fifty or more years of life. Congratulations! You have survived the tides of disease and accidents. The "Win-Win" "Age-Wave", gives opportunity for the feeling of invincibility. With the proper exercise plan, diet, and positive attitude, the aging generation can retard or repel the ravages of disease, aging, gravity and stay healthy and firm. Exercise is the golden egg of aging! The best exercise is the one that YOU WILL DO! The desired result being, better health, more, strength, stamina, power and energy in minimum time.
Will we take our golden opportunity? This is the decade of instant oatmeal, quickie divorces, microwave ovens, fax machines and computers; mere-fore, many people over 50 are having a hard time being disciplined when it comes to exercising. USA TODAY in an article by Mike Snider, "U.S. tends to take it easy on exercise", says "If the USA got a grade for exercise, it probably would be 'D' for darned." Data from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, shows only 16% of women 65 or older exercised regularly in 1990.
However, fit bodies only come from a workable plan, dis-cipline and hard work. It is your responsibility to determine your best exercise program to live your own personal lifestyle to the maximum. Exercise will put a smile on your face and an excitement in your walk no matter what your age. The market is flooded with possibilities for "fitness". It's up to you, how and when you exercise.
Many doctor's recommend walking as one of the best ways to exercise. Walking only costs you time and effort. Catch the passion for the golden egg of exercise as I tell you some of it's benefits.
1. INCREASED ENERGY- A high energy person who feels life to the end of the fingertips is engagingly energetic. Exercise demands this marvelous machine to work harder. The heart beats faster, lungs stretch, blood vessels dilate, you sweat, energy fuels mobilize, and blood flows more freely. YOU ARE ENERGIZED! Energy is the power surge that gives the older person pizzazz. Energy breeds energy!
2. CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING - The big pump that keeps today's smart mature people moving is strengthened by exercise. A half hour of exercise at a consistent intensity three times a week is ideal for cardiovascular conditioning. A "fit" heart will transport oxygen with greater efficiency to all parts of the body. A healthy heart gives the body more stamina as it maximizes nutrient supply.
3.) HIGHER METABOLISM - Exercise, being the latest anti-aging breakthrough, motivates the over 50 crowd to burn fat faster and look fit from head to toe.
4. INCREASES "BRAIN FUNCTION - Dr. Walter M. Bortz II, MD, one of America's most respected and acclaimed authorities on aging believes exercise improves the circulation to the brain which stimulates the formation and release of noradrenaline. When the brain is bathed with higher levels of noradrenaline nerve growth is stimulated. The way to keep sharp is to keep active mentally and physically.
5.) STRESS BUSTER - Stress effects people in different ways. Common denominators in most people who are severely stressed out are panic and a feeling that their lives are out of control. Some of the symptoms are knotted stomach, head ache, pounding heart, inability to concentrate, nervous gestures, and insomnia. The habit "worry-hurry" will lead to stress, Stress is the road to pain. Exercise is a good "Stress Buster"! It re-energizes the body, mind and spirit. Exercise is a source of relaxation and renewal.
Jesus is also an excellent "Stress Buster". He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." "For yoke is easy and my burden is light." St. Matthew 11: 28-30 KJV
6. TONED BODIES -Time and tone can fuse to create an appealing older person. Fifty and beyond is "Prime Time" to fight the loss of elasticity of the muscles with exercise. Maintenance is the key! Exercising your body will create a new sease of fluidity and movement.
7.SUMMARY OF POSITIVE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE - Dr. Bortz in his book We Live Too Short And Die Too Long, gives a list of the credits which exercise exhibits in the human body - "body weight, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (the beneficial land), blood clotting, respiratory function, heart muscle strength, muscle mass, bone density, obesity, intestinal function, sexual capacity, glucose tolerance, im-munologic capacity, and behavioral characteristicsa such as modd, cognition, and memory."
The years after 50 are not the years to relax and retire from life. I suggest we throw retirement out of our vocabulary! Exchange "oldtimer" to older and better. Forget about being on your last legs and run forward to your golden years. Exercise until you change creaky to flexible. Now is the time to stay lean and active! Do not allow age to cool or dwindle you! Respark and rekinkle your life with daily exercise.
YOU CAN DO IT! Exercise makes the most of your best! KEEP MOVING!
EXERCISE-THE GOLDEN EGG OF AGING IS AVAILABLE TO ALL! REACH OUT AND TAKE IT!
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Jun. 22, 1994 - Granddads Are Influential ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger "The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!
He stuttered. However, when my Paw-Paw Todd directed the music in the 1940's and '5O's at the Mount Vemon Baptist Church, he would sing like a mocking bird, loud and clear without stuttering. As a ten-year-old girl, singing in the choir, I could follow his lead as we sang all the old great songs of the Church, amazing Grace, When the roll is Called Up Yonder, I'll Fly Away, and many more.
We were cotton farmers. As we picked cotton, my Paw-Paw would quote scripture to me from the Bible. He had a large portion of the Bible stored in his memory. When I wanted to go to Mount Vernon church, I could always go; because Paw-Paw never missed church. He lived next door to me, and I always had an open invitation. Even though he is in heaven, he implanted Christian principles in me that are so deeply rooted, I remember them to this day, four decades later.
King David gives Godly advice to his son, Solomon (1 Kings 2:1-4 NIV), "When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: "(If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.")
My Paw-Paw handed down a Christian heritage to my dad. My dad's focus all my life has been God, family and country. As I draw on these rich Christian heritage, my husband and I pass this love of God, family and country on to our three children and five granddaughters.
Billy Graham said, "....A happy and successful home needs to be founded on a dedicated husband and father. Under God, husbands and fathers are responsible for the spiritual climate of their homes. Yet many husbands leave the responsibility for spiritual life in the home to their wives. "
When Paul and Silas were in prison, an earthquake shook the walls. The jailer tried to commit suicide. Why? Because he thought the prisoners would escape. But, the Apostle Paul said, "Don't! We are still here." (paraphrase Acts 16:28 KJV)
Then the jailer fell down trembling and asked, "What must I do to be saved? " (Acts 16:30 KJV) The Apostle Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and THY HOUSE." (Acts. 16:31 KJV) The jailer, and all his household, came to Christ.
Granddads, dads, and husbands have great power to direct, protect and prosper the household of faith into abundant and eternal living.
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Jun. 29, 1994 - 50ish - Fabulous - Female ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger "The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!
Being spiffy after fifty is fun for the woman who makes life an adventure. The pacesetting, fifty something woman who thinks she is attractive exudes self-confidence! Uncork the magic of self-confidence with your total appearance, body language and expertise.
"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."Psalms 90:17 KJV
"People are not afraid of getting older. They are afraid of getting ugly," Wanda Dalby, Senior Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics, informed her skin care class.
Wanda is 50ish, fabulous and female. She runs toward the goliath of aging with great style. With her classic, stylish, confident appearance she is on the cutting edge of looking a cut above the average woman. The eye catching straw hat decorated with a bright yellow sunflower, strapped to her shoulder, caught my eye. Upon closer observation, I realized this hat served as Wanda's "backpack." Underneath the gorgeous hat a neat round back pack was attached. Being a traveling lady, this was a neat way to carry a purse leaving both hands free.
This stylish, easy carry back pack has become Wanda's signature. I questioned Wanda how she could look so "Fabulous at 50ish?" She laughed, "Somehow, someway, I got locked in at 28 years old in my mind." "1 think I am 28," she said. "In my mind I am 28. When someone asks my age, I often say 28, before I think how many years I have lived." "It's amazing to feel 28. I love feeling 28 and having the intelligence, maturity and confidence 50 years of living gives me."
Wanda gave me some words to think about when she told me, "If you think you're old, you are. What you think about you bring about." One of Wanda Dalby's secrets of being 50ish, fabulous and female is she dresses for successful aging.
Dressing for successful aging is our forte! Yes! Yes! We are ambassadors for Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Creating a polished image; sparkling with charm and love; wrapped in an aura of passion, puts an aging woman in the winners circle.
Yes, it is important for your appearance to demand respect!
Yes, it is important for you to work to make your own personal style the best that it can be!
Sure, you can be a "Nifty at Fifty" '90's woman, whatever your age!
Individual elegance demonstrates your beauty, style, and shouts "I'm an interesting person." When you step out into your world at 50, your peers will think you have stepped out of a time warp.
Run toward your goliath, aging, with great style, BEING - 50ISH, FABULOUS AND FEMALE.
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Jul. 13,1994 - Aging Means Remodeling ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger "The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!
Have you ever remodeled your house? There must be a master plan in tearing out the old and building back the new. The excitement of remodeling a house that has become outmoded, inconvenient, and unserviceable, adds zest to life. Our lives could be compared to our homes. As we become older and wiser we realize that certain areas need tearing out and rebuilding. Our creator has the master plan to remodel our lives, to give the Holy Spirit a comfortable, enjoyable place to reside.
When we remodeled our home a few years ago, I watched the workmen make a strong new foundation for a new wing. I thought, when we remodel our lives, the foundation should be made stronger with more knowledge of God and the feeling of His presence.
The carpenters tore out walls that had been weaken by termites and replaced them with strong new walls. Like wise, the walls of our lives that have been eaten by the termites of busyness, mediocrity, or complacency must be replaced by new boards of wise use of time, excellence and enthusiasm. We replaced the clouded windows of our old house with new ones. Remodeling our lives involve putting new windows in the rooms filled with hate, frustration, and selfishness to let the warm sunlight of God's love beam inside.
The roof is a big project when remodeling a house. Throwing away the old shingles of insecurity, fear, and hopelessness, men replacing with new ones, faith, hope, love and peace will make life feel new. When the house is remodeled, we take good pieces of furniture and refurbish, polish and shine each one. We may even add new furniture.
Our lives are filled with good pieces of furniture such as love of God, Country, family, and people; so, we will refurbish, polish and shine each one. Then we will add new furniture - joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. With proper alterations our homes become charming, comfortable places to live. God, the master planner, will remodel our aging lives into beauty and charm.
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
"Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring fourth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." Psalms 92:13-14 KJV
To be FABULOUS AFTER 5O let us give our lives to God the master planner to be remodeled.
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Aug. 10, 1994 - An Age-Defying Attitude will Change your Life ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
Middle age is not the end of quality life. The decade of the '90's will go down in history as the decade of mid-life discovery. The positive, powerful images of the 5O plus people are coming to the forefront with confidence, courage and celebration.
I met a black woman in Dallas, Texas last week. She said, "I am black, 53, and my 21 years of work in corporate America has been terminated." "Fear griped my heart like a giant bear hug," she moaned. "But, the God inside me rose up and gobbled up my fear." "I did some self talk. I am healthy, I will make my life better after 50. As I age, 1 will better myself.'"
This fabulous 53 years old black woman told me, "I mapped out a plan. I took a part time job at Southwest Airlines to insure the opportunity to travel. I became a full time Mary Kay Cosmetic beauty consultant in order to keep up with the latest trends and be the best that I can be. I have made more money with this company than I have ever made in my life. Age doesn't seem to matter in this company. Now, I have friends and contacts all over the world." "For me, 53 is an exciting new period in life. It is a new country, and I am having the time of my life." "I feel significant, proud, and loving. I have learned to brighten my world by giving."
This story is a good example of the trends of our time. The Age Wave will splash upon the shores of the US in 1996 when the leading edge of the baby boomers reach the age of 50. A new buzz word of the '90's is DOWN-AGING. Because of exercise, proper diet and attitude, people who are in mid-life will feel and look much younger.
Faith Popcorn, founder and chairperson of Brain Reserve Inc., a market-forecasting firm, has coined the phrase DOWN-AGING.
She is finding in her extensive research, some people who are 5O years of age, are acting and looking like 40 years young. Many people at 65 are beginning a second half of life that is more exciting than the first. My new black friend from Dallas, said, "I am 53 years young, but I feel 35."
Faith Popcorn, author of The Popcorn Report, also named the stay-at-home syndrome of the '90's COCOONING.
As our cities, highways, and airports, become more crowded, there will be more home-based business, and home-based entertainment for the family. We see this process being fueled with new technology such as fax machines and home video's. Another trend of the '90's is ECONOMICS. The sterile computer era will bring about the desire of more individualized, customized, and personalized service.
As my Dallas friend and I ended our conversation about the trend of the '90's, we agreed it would be called the decency decade. People are turning back to God, family, and country. Like my friend, an age-defying attitude will give you the option to be fabulous after 50. What's age got to do with it?
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Sept. 28, 1994 - Be Your Personal Best ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger "The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!
"I don't put top priority on the 5 Olympic gold medals I have won, but being my personal best," said speedskater, Bonnie Blair. Bonnie's face beamed as she told her audience, "I go out and give 100% no matter what race I'm in."
Bonnie Blair inspired me as I heard her speak at a breakfast sponsored by Kellogg's Corp. She adorns the cover of the Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Gold Medalist Commermorative Box. Bonnie is a prime example of personal excellence for superior living. She said, "I try to be my best in everything I do."
Bonnie's parents put her on ice skates at age 2. She loved to skate. When she was 12 years old her father introduced her as an Olympic winner. Her father's encouraging words planted a seed that grew into an unprecedented winner for women in U.S. History.
Speedskater Bonnie Blair, a native of Champaign, Illinois, time after time has proven her medal as she has succeeded 5 times to be tops under great pressure and true competition. Bonnie said, "It's a great rivalry. But when I race, my focus is on myself and what I can do better. My challenge was to skate my best race ever."
Those of us who have reached the half century birthday could draw strength from this winner.
(1) Be your personal best.
(2) Be your best in everything you do.
(3) Give 100% no matter what race your in.
(4) Focus - by being (A) dedicated (B) having a sense of balance (C) willing to take a risk.
Our aging society is becoming tall timber. This is the time to stand tall, like our role model, Bonnie Blair, and become a winner. Though Bonnie is short in statue, she is the greatest American Olympic athlete ever.
Aging will represent a big pile of chips in the future; so, get out there and make a difference.
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Oct. 19, 1994 - Praising God is Heavenly Language ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
The 50+ people are stars of the 90's. We have the winning edge with a positive attitude, personal excellence and bold faith. I praise God that you and I have survived the tides of disease and accidents.
Failing to praise God may be one of the greatest neglects of people deep in the heart of aging. Because, God inhabits the praise of His saints. (Psalm 22:3 KJV)
Unwavering confidence in God leads to a spontaneous attitude of gratitude and praise, Whatever the circumstances.
Paul E. Billheimer, in his book Destined for the Throne, said, "Praise is the spark plug of faith."
We can pray with the scripture "Praise be to the Lord God, The God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever, may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen" Psalm 72: 18,19
One benefit of praising God is exchanging a spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. The prophet Isaiah gives us the message in Isaiah 61:3 that Jesus came "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."
Just off my bedroom patio, a healthy oak tree is growing, strong and straight. As the the vast sprawling root systems grow deep into the fertile soil, the oak tree on top of the ground grows tall and strong, spreading it's branches far into the air. A perfect place for the birds to nest.
Like the sprawling oak tree, ageless people whose inner lives are growing deep into the spirit of God, will display a strong, straight, powerful life. A pure heart, a holy life and a simple faith, will cause roots of prayer, bible study, and revelation to produce a mighty oak in you.
Christians are citizens of Heaven ! We should be speaking heavenly language ! We should be speaking life ! "Whosoever offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23 PRAISE THE LORD !!
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Oct. 26, 1994 - Extend Your Learning Curve ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
The average age of the American population continues to creep upward. The half century mark does not make people brain dead. You are only brain dead when you stop learning, growing, going, and being sensitive to your surroundings.
Fifty-something can be the peak of your creativity. The closer you get to God the more creative you should be. Also experience feeds creativity. Being creative fills your emotional tank and makes your life richer. If you have a disadvantage complex about being 50 years old, replace that mind set with, - I am older, therefore more creative. Older can be better if you have a clearer vision of who you are and who you want to become.
I have two friends who at mid-life are becoming more creative. They each have enjoyed highly successful careers in the education field; however, their new interest in traveling and writing extends their learning curve. The excitement of travel writing adds zest to their lives.
It is not far out thinking to believe your fiftieth birthday is the middle of your life. Many people are now living to be 100 years old with vigor, power and style.
As America ages we have a new wrinkle: AGELESS EDUCATION. We are now in a society of lifetime learning. Great books, colleges, travel, newspapers, television, postal service, computers, telephones, and fax machines, keep us in touch with the world.
Many mid-life adventurers enjoy new dimensions in life as they touch the center of genuine emotion and imagination. Being fifty offers the opportunity to be in touch with yourself and with God. Knowing God will make a timeless person sparkle with optimism. People of the '90's are growing older creatively, energetically and productively.
A spirit of aliveness is penetrating this ageless group of maturing Americans. They are saying YES to life. They regard life as an adventure. French novelist Victor Hugo said, "The forties are the old age of youth, while the fifties are the youth of old age."
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Nov. 2, 1994 - How To Be Fabulous After 50... Aging Is Constant Change ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
Aging is constant change like shifting shadows. The shades of change can be exciting, magic, and fruitful as we focus on the positive side of change.
Mr. Malcolm Gillis, of Toney AL, at 60 years old, holds the world's record, for his age group in 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) running.
When I interviewed Mr. Gillis, I asked, "What are your secrets for successful aging?"
"Number 1," he said, "The aging person must stay extremely active, and have many interests in life.
"Number 2, Eat sparingly. Metabolism slows down after 50."
"Number 3, Eat little or no meat. I am a vegetarian."
Mr. Gillis travels all over the world to participate in marathons. He enjoys being 60 years young. Every day in life offers a fresh start. Mr. Gillis is not 60 years old, he is sixty years new.
To embrace change is to be pioneers of the future. Concentrate only on the future, because that is where you will live the rest of your life. Participate in the dance of change. Being in touch with yourself, and God, gives you the courage to take risks and grow as your life changes. The kaleidoscope of change brings on new vitality, as that feisty girl or boy of youth breaks through in your personality.
If the winds of change are blowing you into new territory, count it all an adventure. This is the time to stretch and grow. Dare to embrace change and dream big! Aging is like a fortune cookie, it's what's on the inside that counts. Have a royal attitude about the changes aging brings into your life, and you will come out on top.
"Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun; as we see that the SHADOWS, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at mid-day." Thomas Arnold
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Nov. 22, 1994 - Embrace Life Each Moment! ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
As life unfolds moment by moment it is a spiral toward heaven. Don't crush the delicate flower of aging by programming your brain that life after 5O is less than great. The "Fabulous after 50" person is fit and feisty, with an indefatigable spirit, and has unrestricted exuberance.
Speaking of indefatigable spirit, brings to my mind Joni Eareckson Tada of Agoura Hills, California. She has been paralyzed from her neck down since she was 18 years old. Joni paints pictures, holding the pastel pencils between her teeth, she praises God for the gift He has given her. As her neck muscles ache from hours of painting, she thanks God for the strength and stamina to paint.
Joni designs a Christmas Card each year and sells it throughout the world. I ordered her Christmas cards this year, called the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. Holding a paint brush between her teeth, she painted packages under a Christmas Tree, with the word "JESUS" spelled with children's building blocks. Joni writes on the back of her Christmas Card, "Imagine the joy of a little child playing with his new alphabet blocks on Christmas morning. He carefully places the letters to read, "JESUS." And there, underneath the tree with the rest of the packages, a child reminds us of the greatest gift of all. As I rendered this drawing, holding the pastel pencils between my teeth, the joy of Jesus welled within my heart. What a gift He is!"
Joni's art work inspires and encourages many people to do as much as they can with their limitations. She encourages people to do things they 'can do'. Many people are buoyed up and encouraged to rise above their circumstances by Joni's example. Many aging people have the mind set that aging sets limitation on their lives. Let's take Joni's example and believe that anything is possible with God.
The ageless 50+ people will embrace life each moment and live passionately and forcefully through eternity.
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Nov. 29, 1994 - T.G.I.F. Thank God I'm 50 ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
My friend Norma said, "I feel ripely appreciative in my fifties. I have survived the tides of disease and accidents. I feel stronger, mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. I am more self confident through the positive power of Jesus Christ, and 50 years of living. I like being fifty something."
"I am health conscious. I exercise every day. My desire is to have at least 90% of my total body capacity when I die. The noted gerontologist, Nathan Shock, believes true age changes are about 8 percent decline per year, beginning at age 30."
"Though I am fifty something, I have positive ideas and attitude. I feel I am at my creative peak! I am not embittered about aging. I plan to grow old in a positive way. I plan to age creatively, energetically and productively."
"Aging is a plus for a writer. Age and experience just makes me better at my craft. I do not feel diminished or declining. I feel as if my career is on the launch pad. Now that my wonderful children are grown and independent, I don't feel confined to child care; so, I definitely am increasing my focus on career. I like this time in my life."
"At fifty something, I have more friends. (Spiritual friends, women and men friends, writer friends and family friends.) I feel rich."
"Being fifty something makes me more curious. I crave to team new things. Seeing a new movie, reading a stimulating book, meeting a new person, or listening to music makes life extraordinary."
"At last I have leisure time! Hooray! I like lag time, self time, and solitude. Solitude is a rare and treasured time for me. It is the most incredible luxury."
"After raising a gorgeous family, I love this pausal time of life. I am free to be. I laid a beautiful foundation in my life of family, God and country, Now is my time to build on that foundation.
"My; desire is to help remove the stigma of aging from women; so, the younger women who age will not feel depressed."
"I have found my rhythm. I love my husband, but I do not expect him to be my happiness. I am already happy. I enjoy my life. I have my own identity. Self-acceptance is priceless. I like myself."
"I feel a spirit of aliveness within myself. I feel like saying YES TO LIFE! I regard life as an adventure!"
"With hope of eternity through my lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I am euphoric about the future."
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Dec. 6, 1994 - Think Yourself Young For The Holidays ©
by Shirley W. Mitchell, The Messenger-"The Peoples Newspaper" We Tell It Like It Is!!!
Emerson said: "A man is what he thinks about all day long."
You and I can think ourselves young, or we can think ourselves old. Society programs us to think after 50 we are old; however, if we change the way we think, we will slow down the biological aging process. Let me share with you seven ways to THINK YOURSELF YOUNG.
(1) DOWN-AGING - As the culture ages, we must evaluate what older means. Faith Popcorn, founder and chairperson of Brain Reserve Inc., New York, NY, a market-forecasting firm, has coined a new phrase, "DOWN-AGING." This trend is the refusal to be bound by traditional age limitations. She is finding in her extensive research, some people who are 5O years of age, are acting and looking like 40 years young. Many people at 65 are beginning a second half of life that is more exciting than the first.
(2) EXERCISE - Moving that body daily is the golden egg of aging. Exercise makes the most of your best, so, keep your muscles in motion. The years after 50 are not the time to relax and retire from life. These are the years to move faster. Dr. Bortz in his book We Live Too Short and Die Too Long, gives a list of the credits which exercise exhibits in the human body - "body weight, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (the beneficial kind), blood clotting, respiratory function, heart muscle strength, muscle mass, bone density, obesity, intestinal function, sexual capacity, glucose tolerance, immunologic capacity, and behavioral characteristics such as mood, cognition, and memory."
(3) PERSONAL EXCELLENCE - Dr. John H. Stevens, senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, Colorado, said, "people who practice personal excellence has the edge in life. Charismatic, attractive, talented, motivated achievers have a richer life." Dr. Stevens says, "You're more than you think you are." I Corinthians 12: 4-7, J.B. Phillips Translation, "People have different gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served. God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all. Each person is given his gift by the Spirit that he may use it for the common good." Strive for your own personal excellence for superior living.
(4) Sing - Singing pushes out depression. It is hard to be cheerful, sing, and smile while being depressed. Also, when your heart sings, such as when you are in love, you feel younger.
(5) Act young - Set goals. Activate your brain cells. Read a book, take a class, try a new adventure, and stretch to become bigger than yourself. Associate with young people. Believe anything is possible for you.
(6) Celebrate life - Life is a precious gift from God. How wise you are if you celebrate it's moments. Make life great with positive, can-do thinking.
(7) Love - Love is the ingredient in life that makes all things good. Love will make you young. God is Love.
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Shirley W. Mitchell is the Owner and Founder of Ageless Living™ - a Motivational, Inspirational and Educational Company located in Northern Alabama providing products and services related to Organizing and Conducting Educational Conferences, Classes, Symposiums, Seminars, Workshops, Speeches and Training Courses in the fields of Aging, Seniors, Senior Lifestyles, Health, Wellness, Nutrition, Generational Women and Men's Issues, Faith, Passion and Purpose, and Distribution of Materials including Multimedia Audio, Video, CD, DVD, Books, Newsletters, Journals, Magazines, Articles, Periodicals, Electronic Books, and other Written and Audio Publications. Ms. Mitchell and Ageless Living™ are managed and represented by Lighthouse Coastal Productions.
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