"Fabulous after Fifty™" is the Syndicated On-Line Weekly Column by Shirley W. Mitchell, a National Author/Writer/Syndicated Columnist/Speaker and Celebrity Radio Talk Show Host, also known as "The Golden Egg of Aging™" -  View some of the most inspirational and motivational articles on aging, baby boomers, seniors, senior lifestyles, health, diet, exercise, business, women's and men's issues, specific topic articles, poems, writings, recipes, area news, and special people. Shirley W. Mitchell's "Passion" for encouraging Aging people is both Contagious and Intense! We have the Ability to Change Aging History with our "Pulse" & "Faith". To Teach. To Educate. To Transform. If you enjoy the Articles posted here, you will certainly enjoy my Column Articles within  "Senior Lifestyle Magazine".

Feb. 13, 1990

Feb. 13, 1990 - Love Is Constructive Energy © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ The spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tiding unto the meek: He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound: to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God: to comfort all that mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV These are the verses that Jesus read and taught in the synagogue. I take this scripture personally. When I am broken hearted, I know who will mend it! Jesus! When I am captive by such things as self-pity, anxiety or doubt, I know who will liberate me! Jesus! When I am bound by a bad habit, wrong attitudes or worry, Jesus will open my prison door to freedom and liberty. Jesus liberates my spirit like a snow white dove flying off into the fluffy white clouds of the universe. And, when I mourn, my comforter is Jesus. Jesus tells us in Isaiah 60:3 that He comes to "give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and 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." In my own life, Jesus has given me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Life with Jesus is a life with beauty, joy and praise. A life without him is a life filled with ashes, mourning, and the spirit of heaviness. God will plant his children as great trees of righteousness to glorify himself. Love is constructive energy. God is love. I feel God's constructive energy in my life through the positive power of Jesus Christ. How about you? Happy Valentine Day! This is the day to allow the constructive energy of love to flow out to that special person in your life. Prayer: You are my fullness Lord, Give me an overflow. You are my joy dear Lord, Give me an afterglow! Give me your exuberance Lord In the midst of this life of strife. So, I will be enthuasiastic Lord In the abundance of my life! In Jesus name Amen.

Apr. 24, 1990

Apr. 24, 1990 - Harmony Of Music - Speech Of Angels © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which I made said David..." I Chronicles KJV I felt spell-bound as I was entertained by the wonderful Abertville High School bands and Alabama Avenue Middle bands in concert last week. Mr. Stacy Goss and Mr. Robert Killian do a magnificent job teaching these talented young people. A lump came into my throat as the beautiful young girls and handsome young men performed with great professionalism. As the music filled the colliseum, I thought of all the hard work and discipline that had gone into the harmony. Martin Luther said, "Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes people milder and gentler, more moral and resonable." Only eternity will reveal the positive impact Mr. Goss and Mr. Killian have made upon many young lives. As the seniors graduate and the younger students move up to take their positions, the positive force of music continues. Our young people are great, and having an outstanding music program is a real plus for our schools. The Albertville School bands have won numerous awards. Striving for excellence they have made our community proud! Our hats go off to you Mr. Goss and Mr. Killian! Music is truly the speech of angels!

May 15, 1990

May 15, 1990 - Make The Most Of Your Best In The '90's © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." I Corinthians 9:24 KJV At the 116th Kentucky Derby last week, I watched the horse, "Unbridled", explode with speed and energy as he raced from eleventh place to win over the favorite, "Summer Squall" by three and a half lengths. The Kentucky Derby winner, "Unbridled" won because he made the most of his best. How can the "Lace over Steel" woman make the most of her best? Rita Burgett of Nashville, Tenn. teaches women how to make the most of their best. You are making the most of your best if you focus on the present, while having a vision of the future with written short and long term goals. In a speech to the Tennessee Groceries Association, Ms. Burgett gave us her 5 C's (Characteristics) for making the most of one's best. 1. Commitment: Women who are committed to something they believe in will be more focused in life. Every woman is special and unique, and there is a purpose for every life. So, find your passion. A commitment is an investment. Set goals, stick with it. Go for it! 2. Confidence: Ms. Burgett said that a woman who is confident feels o.k. inside. She has a calm, at ease, relaxed air about her. She looks poised and in control. She speaks in an even steady strong voice. She is direct in her style of communicating and doesn't ramble on. She makes eye contact when speaking with you. She is able to accept compliments graciously. She is not overly concerned with what people think about her. She has a coordinated put together look. She is not threatened. She is an encourager. 3. Control: A woman who is making the most of her best feels in control of her life. Setting short and long term goals, and making plans will help her move her life in the direction she wants to go. Being in control of her life, a woman must take responsibility for her own decisions. 4. Challenge: A woman who makes the most of herself sees change as a challenge. When change comes a woman must step out of her comfort zone with confidence and meets change head-on. 5. Connections: A woman who makes the most of herself, spends time with other people who make the most of themselves. As we race into the '90's, let each of us make the most of our best.

May 22, 1990

May 22, 1990 - Persistence: Trait Of Successful Women © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 KJV Marilyn Van Derbur is the recipient of the highest award given by the National Speakers Association, "Outstanding Woman Speaker in America." She is a great role model for the Lace over Steel woman. A former Miss America, she is now a wife, mother and president of her own motivational company. In a recent speech she made the point, "Persistence is probably at the top of the list of successful people." She shared with her audience the fact that Abraham Lincoln, Lucile Ball, and Babe Ruth had four things in common - failure, disappointment, frustration and persistence until successful." Ms. Debur told the story by an unknown author about the "Oyster and the Eagle". "When God made the oyster, He guaranteed him absolute economic and social security. He built the oyster a house - a shell - to protect him from his enemies. When hungry the oyster simply opens his shell and food rushed in. He has no worries. He does not fight anyone. He does not go anywhere." When God made the eagle, He gave him the sky as his domain. The eagle then nested on the highest crag. Storms threaten every day. For food, he flies through miles of rain, snow, sleet and wind. He screams his defiance at the elements. He goes about his own business, building his own life. When aroused, he's a vicious foe to his enemies." "The eagle, not the oyster, is the symbol of America." The continental Congress adopted the bald eagle as the central figure of the Great Seal of the USA, June 20.1782. The eagle, king of the birds, a perfect symbol of beauty strength, authority and freedom. The Lace over Steel women are comparable with the great eagle as they juggle life, cope with change and struggle to maintain God's balance in the lives. Persistence is a positive trait of successful women.

Jul. 3, 1990

Jul. 3, 1990 - Celebrate Freedom: Celebrate The Fourth © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." I Peter 2:16 KJV Freedom is the icing on the cake of life! Being free gives each one of us the wonderful opportunity to become all that God has created us to be. Celebrating the Fourth of July causes us to focus upon our precious freedom! The great lady, The Statue of Liberty, is the symbol of our freedom. Travelers who enter our country by boat or plane in New York City see The Statue of Liberty with the beacon of welcome. Miss Liberty is standing in New York harbor as a symbol of the great idea, freedom, government by the people and for the people. This great freedom demonstrated by America is spreading throughout the world. Because freedom makes each new day a treasure, every American celebrates the Fourth of July with passion. My family celebrates our freedom with an annual picnic at the spacious country home of my brother and his wife. The yard is decorated withy red, white and blue, using the American Flag as the focus. We enjoy games, a patriotic program presented by the children, homemade freezer ice cream and watermelons. The grand finale of the evening is the magnificent fireworks display. The city of Albertville celebrates the Fourth of July enjoying the many activities the Freedom Festival has to offer. The many booths, programs and fireworks display give all an opportunity to mix and mingle with neighbors. What a great day! Whatever you do to celebrate the fourth, the bottom line is freedom. This columnist visited Moscow and Leningrad in July 1989. I observed the sad, oppressed faces of the women, because they had no freedom. It made me proud to be an American. Happy Birthday America! Let's celebrate freedom!

Sept. 18, 1990

Sept. 18, 1990 - Brilliant Colors Of Autumn Begin © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22 NIV In the fading sunlight of cool afternoons, the trees in Marshall County are beginning to show a reddish-orange glow! Nature's tranquil, dazzling show is about to begin. The landscape will soon be splashed with shades of yellow, scarlet, purple and orange. The ash trees start out purplish then turn to pure yellow. Then there are the maple trees adding their golden orange to the picture. How do you like the black gum trees when they turn red? I anticipate the leaves changing into vibrant, varied colors making Sand Mountain post card beautiful. The fashion show of autumn is a brilliant show to enjoy! My family enjoys traveling through Alabama during the fall season. If you are wanting to get a peak at the dazzling autumn show, you might plan a trip the last of September or the first of October to Lookout Mountain Parkway (Collinsville to Mentone), Lake Guntersville State Park or Cheaha State Park. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork.;;" Psalms 19:1 KJV Thinking about the excitement of the exquisite autumn season, my thoughts turn to fall fashions for women. The look for the 90's is modern classic; but a chance to be uniquely you! Anything goes! Any length, long or short, has a nod of approval from the fashion world. Also, there are no limit to the colors you wear. The brighter the better. Black is also good! The colors are as vibrant and brilliant as the fall leaves. The chemise dress is back in style. And the mood is soft fabrics and shapes. The makeup is going back to the 1950's and '60's. The intense, bold colors inhance big lips and eyes. I hope you will enjoy your new fall look, while feasting your eyes upon the beauty of the season. As the cool, crisp air of autumn moves into your Sand Mountain area, capture the energy and excitement of fall! With the beginning of the final decade of the Millennium, a fresh breeze of hope, creative energy and a heightened sense of time give each of us a new zeal for life!

Nov. 20, 1990

Nov. 20, 1990 - Give Thanks For America And Freedom © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "I will bring you unto the land ... which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the Lord" Exodus 6:8 KJV When I travel abroad, I return to America with a deep conviction that God has carved the greatest country on earth in America! God has given Americans the greatest place to live in the world. It is brimful of riches, freedom, life, hope and vitatily. We must remember that this is God's land and He is our Lord, ".. .Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty." II Co. 3:17 KJV Liberty is the living thread that sews together our great land. This living thread of freedom, remembers histories heroic deeds; fills today with faith; and colors tomorrow with hope! Freedom is the motivation that keeps our great country moving forward. As freedom sweeps across Eastern Europe it is marching to all corners of the globe. America is a land where dreams come true. Dreams are the motivating force that will keep you exhilarated and moving forward on life's exiting path. Dream power will shoot you to the stars. Your big, realistic dream gives you the positive, assertive drive to work hard to accomplish your goals. The power in your dreams add zeal to your life. Wise old Solomon wrote "... a dream comes true through working long and hard." paraphrase Ecc. 5:3B. So, the great land of dreams is again celebrating Thanksgiving. As we enjoy our turkey (symbolic of the "Feast of Liberty") this Thanksgiving, our hearts give thanks to God and one great lady, Sarah Josepha Hale. It was through her persistent efforts that President Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday, in the middle of the Civil War, in 1863. Ms. Hale was the editor of the first woman's magazine, "Gody's Lady Book." She spent her life campaigning for a national holiday to thank God for America! The great land of the free! As we celebrate life this Thanksgiving Day, I challenge you to worship with true thanksgiving in the very core of your soul.

Dec. 18, 1990

Dec. 18, 1990 - The Warm Spot Of Winter Is Christmas © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Lace Over Steel™ "He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes." He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold?" Psalms 145: 16, 17 KJV Just as the bleak winter weather is about to make our spirits sag, the warmth of the celebration of our Lord's birth lifts our spirits up. Joy - The Christmas season causes the joy at the core of our soul to burst forth with singing. This joy is contagious and warms the heart of everyone we touch. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." Color - The briliant colors that surround us during the Christmas season make us feel cheerful and warm. I enjoyed the cheerful, warm colors recently as I watched the fabulous "Country Christmas" at Opryland Hotel, in Nashville, Tenn. The dominate colors were red, green, silver, gold and white. Red symbolizes the blood Jesus shed for our eternal life. Green represents the continuance of life through the long bleak winter. Silver and gold adds to the richness of the season. White is the symbol of purity. Love - Love comes down from heaven at Christmas. The warmth of love melts away the cold fingers of hate, frustrations, greed and hypocrisy. Love starts a fire in your heart. Teilhard de Chardin said, "Someday after we have mastered the air, the winds, the tides and gravity, we will harness for God the energies of love. And then for the second time in history of the world, man will have discovered fire." Christmas is the time of cheer. It's the warm spot of the year.

Shirley W. Mitchell is the Owner and Founder of Fabulous after Fifty™ - 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 Fabulous after Fifty™ are managed and represented by Lighthouse Coastal Productions 466 Sardis Cutoff Road Sardis City, AL 35956. ***Copyright © and Trademark ™ Notice: 1967-2011 All Works, Venues and Content by Shirley W. Mitchell™ including "The Golden Egg of Aging™", "The Fabulous Author™", "Fabulous after 50®", "Fabulous after Fifty™", "Sensational after 60®", "Sensational after Sixty™", "Aging Outside the Box®", "Passionate Sparks™", "Spiritual Sparks for Busy Women™", "Lace Over Steel™", "Ageless Living™", "Endless Energy™", "Better Half of Life™", "Citrus Park™", "Crosstown Info™", "The Amazing System™" and "Aging with Glamour™"are © Copyright and ® Trademark protected*** No part of this Web-Site or Column may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the Agent. If you would like to purchase copies of the articles, please send an E-Mail to us with your request. If you should encounter any problems with this Web-Site please E-Mail the Webmaster.