"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". "Fabulous after Fifty™" is fashioned after her "Lace Over Steel™" and "Fabulous after Fifty™" Weekly Newspaper Columns that appeared in the Sand Mountain Reporter of Albertville, Alabama. We want to thank the newspaper and all our readers for their support over the past 25+ years Ms. Mitchell's Column was printed. We inspire to bring more Style and Enthusiasm to it in the future.

Jan. 9, 1997

Jan. 9, 1997 - The Winds Of Change Bring Back Childhood Memories © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ The name on the hospital room door read "Jane Smith." Preparing herself to encourage this patient, the chaplain walked confidently into the room. Jane Smith, with poignant eyes, looked at the chaplain's feet and stated, "I like your shoes." The chaplain, moved with empathy for a woman who had just experienced the amputation of both legs, said, "I can't imagine what it must be like not to have any legs!" This statement opened a floodgate of feelings. The chaplain pulled up a chair so as to be at eye level with Jane. She listened intently to all this hurting woman needed and wanted to say. She shared in her pain, and the Spirit of love enveloped the room, driving out the dark cloud of despair. God is love, and He loves perfectly. Perfect love comforts and forgives us. Perfect love motivates us to bloom into our full potential. Perfect love brings out the best in us. Perfect love never fails. God came through this chaplain to embrace Jane with His warm arms of love. He loved Jane perfectly, and He loves you and me perfectly. Talking to God, I envision myself as a little girl crawling up into my daddy's lap. I pray, "Abba (which means 'Daddy'), Father, take me into your bosom through the blood of Jesus Christ." The blood of Jesus makes me pure for true communication with my heavenly Father. God wraps His warm arms of love around me, pulls me into His bosom, where I feel loved and safe. I can tell Him anything and He understands, because He knows more about me than I know myself. I ask God to orchestrate my life. I have faith He knows what is best for me; therefore, I trust Him with my life. My God, who created me and the universe, is not some mystical being. God is real. He is approachable. He is always there. I don't just know about Him. I am intimate with Him. As a graduate of The Dale Carnegie course, I have learned to live in "day-tight" compartments. In a nutshell, this means recognizing that yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow may never come, but today is a present. Live it to the fullest. God is teaching me to live in moment-tight compartments with Him. I only have to deal with the moment, and He will be there with me. Knowing God intimately is crucial to positive aging. Knowing Him gives you and me wings to soar through maturing life. The great I Am - the God of the Bible - will empower us to grow with vigor and with style, not clinging to youth, but anticipating new beginnings as life unfolds. I am reminded of Joni Eareckson Tada, who has turned a tragedy in her life into positive exuberant living. Though paralyzed from the neck down since she was eighteen, Joni is an artist  She paints by holding pastel pencils or a paintbrush between her teeth. She praises God for the gift He has given her. Though her neck muscles often ache from hours of painting, she thanks God for the strength and stamina to continue. Each year Joni designs a Christmas card and markets it throughout the world. The painting on her 1994 cards was called, "The Savior of the World." Holding a brush between her teeth, Joni painted packages under a Christmas tree, with the word JESUS spelled with children's building blocks. She wrote on the back of the card: Imagine the joy of a little child playing with his new alphabet blocks on Christinas morning. He carefully places the letters to read JESUS. And there, underneath the tree with the rest of the packages, a child drawing, holding the pastel pencils between my teeth, the joy of Jesus welled within my heart. What a gift He is! Joni's art inspires many people to do as much as they can with their limitations. She encourages people to do things they can do. Let's take Joni's example and believe that anything is possible with God. He never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13: 8). Knowing that God never changes empowers His people to embrace life each moment, to live passionately and usefully from here through to eternity. Life brings many changes, particularly for people over fifty - an empty nest after many busy years of raising a family; the loss of a spouse by death or divorce; the loss or change of a career; becoming a grandparent - all these changes affect us emotionally, physically and spiritually. The only safe place from which to face the changes in our lives is in the centre of God's perfect will. If you know Him and trust Him, then you can face tomorrow with anticipation. Participate in the dance of change. 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. God, through His perfect love, renews us day by day.

Jan. 23, 1997

Jan. 23, 1997 - Inaugural Gala Brings New Spirit Of Liberty © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ Watching the Presidential Inaugural Gala and the Inauguration of Bill Clinton, the last President of the twentieth century and the first President of the new millennium, the joy of liberty sent my spirit soaring to new heights. The words of the apostle Paul, "...where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty," gives me great energy and hope as we zoom with breakneck speed toward the year 2,000. We have an irresistible call to love. Love liberates from hate. Love of God and country will open wide the doors of hope into the 21st century.I picked up on the spirit of joy permeating the Presidential Inaugural Gala. The joy of the Lord becomes strength, enabling the mature person to experience a light and merry heart. We are never too old to have fun. The kaleidoscope of people and talent entertaining the First Family and all America through the media of television lifted us to the heavenlies. Wow! What a celebration of life. Artistic talent, creativeness, inventive motivation are divine gifts from God. "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," Exodus 31:3. Freedom to follow our dreams, artistic talents, creativeness and inventive motivation are the fiber that makes our nation great. Plunging into a new year, marching toward the millennium, I see great possibilities for aging America. As the 20th century comes to an end, and the 21st century pops it's head over the horizon, the largest segment of our society will be over fifty, with better health and more zeal for life. We have ageless appeal because we have been worn to perfection. So many different people from many different places make up America of faith. Faith in God liberates from fear. I feel a new spirit of liberty.

Feb. 13, 1997

Feb. 13, 1997 - Valentine's Day Traditions © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ The essence of Valentine's Day touches the human spirit. Gifts, cards, romance and cheerful feelings give Feb. 14 a special meaning. When I read the phrase, "From Your Valentine," I am reminded of the legend of Valentinus of Rome. Claudius II, a Roman emperor, of the third century, put Christians to death who worshiped God. Valentinus, a devout Christian, was imprisoned to be put to death for worshiping God. The jailer noticed he was a kind, gentleman of great learning and wisdom. He asked Valentinus to teach Julia, his beautiful blind daughter. Valentinus read the little girl stories, described the world and taught her about God. Julia saw the world through the eyes of Valentinus. She loved his quiet strength. Julia asked Valentinus if God heard her prayers? Valentinus said, "Yes." Julia prayed to see. A bright light filled the jail, and she regained her sight. Legend has it that on the eve of Valentinus' death, Feb. 13, 270, he wrote Julia a note encouraging her to have an intimate relationship with God. He signed the note, "From your Valentine." Valentinus was buried Feb. 14, 270, in the Church of Praxedes in Rome. Legend has it that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near Valentinus's grave. Today the almond tree signifies love and friendship. Sending Valentine cards started in England as early as the 1400s. In 1847, Esther A. Howland of Worcester, Mass., saw a Valentine card from Great Britain and became one of the first manufacturers in the United States. She made samples and took orders from the stores. Then she hired young women to make valentines to expand her business to $100,000 a year. Today, Valentine's Day is a huge boost to the economy. However, the greatest boost is the boost to the human spirit with love, good cheer and encouragement. Jesus said, "This is my commandment. That ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12. Be my Valentine!

Feb. 20, 1997

Feb. 20, 1997 - Seniors Accomplish Much No Matter What Their Age © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ Senator Strom Thurmond celebrated his 94th birthday this month. He is the oldest man ever to serve in the U.S. Senate. He told ABC News that he plans to run again when he is 100 years old. The centenarians are the most rapidly growing segment in America. There will be one million in the year 2050. In 1987 President Reagan proclaimed July 1 National Centenarian's Day. Douglas MacArthur said, "Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals." You're never too old. The famous artist Grandma Moses started painting at 80 years old. One fourth of her paintings were done after she was 100. Helen Keller stayed young by counting her interests, not her years. Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel when he was 71. John D. Rockefeller was making $1 million a week when he died at 91. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem, "Never too Late." The last few lines read... "For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress. And as the evening twilight fades away, The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day. It is never too late to start doing what is right. Never." King David wrote in the Bible, "...delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fall. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper."

Mar. 6, 1997

Mar. 6, 1997 - Strong Faith Moves Mountains © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ "And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith." Luke 18:8. Kingdom Living is based upon faith. Faith that God is who He says He is! Faith that Jesus Christ is the son of God, our Savior and Lord, faith that each one of us can have eternal and abundant life through Jesus Christ! Faith that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it is true. Faith that all the promises in God's word are for each of us. I am afraid many times our faith wears thin. We talk about it but don't put it into practice. I heard this story about faith. "A fellow fell from the mountain top and caught onto a small tree, which was the only thing that kept him from the valley floor 2,000 feet below. He called out, 'Help! Somebody up there, help me!' A voice came to him, saying, 'Yes, I'll help you.' The fellow said, 'Who is that up there?' The voice said, 'It's me, the Lord. Turn loose the tree.' After a long pause, the fellow called out, 'Is anybody else up there?'" Many of us have disappointed the Lord in our everyday walk of faith just as the fellow on the mountain top. We simply do not trust God with our lives. I know it saddens our Lord when we live like paupers when we are truly children of the King of Kings! Friends, to have faith and to know the incredible joy of taking all our total being and placing it into the great big hand of God is truly Kingdom Living! You may ask, how do I get faith? God's words tells us in Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Out of the mouth of Jesus Christ came these words about faith. "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 21:21. Jesus is so great to give us illustrating that we can understand. We all know a mustard seed is very small. If we just have a very small portion of real faith, Jesus tells us nothing shall be impossible unto us! The year 1997 is an invisible present that must be opened day by day. This gift holds pain and joy, tears and laughter, disaster and triumph. Faith will enable you to live life to the utmost. To reach out eagerly, without fear for richer and newer experience.

Apr. 10, 1997

Apr. 10, 1997 - Children Show Parents' Success © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ Parents are considered a success when they work themselves out of a job. The grown children become independent, happy and successful. We experience what you call an empty nest. I, along with you, enjoy becoming those children's cheerleader, best friend and supporter. One couple in our area stands out in my mind as I see their children grow into young adults. T.C. and Marty Greer, along with this community, are certainly being cheerleaders for the baseball great, Rusty Greer. While in Dallas, I flipped on the television and observed Rusty make the first hit of the season for the Texas Rangers. The announcer shouted, "Rusty Greer is batting a thousand!" I picked up the "Dallas Morning News" the next morning to read bold headlines on the Sports Page, RANGERS SIGN GREER TO EXTENSIONS. Left fielder Rusty Greer signed a  multi-million dollar deal through the season 2000. The "Dallas Morning quoted Rusty Greer as "It shows me that I've done something to make appreciate that I'm here," Greer said. "As long as the numbers I got made me happy; whether I could have more money in arbitration is irrelevant. I'm happy with what's taken place here, and that's what matters." The Texas Rangers won their opening game with Milwaukee 6-2. The Rangers are promoting family values and family fur.  Their mascot is a cute little girl sporting blond pigtails named Molly. At a Dallas restaurant , my waitress told me Rusty was her nine-year-old son's role model. She thought I was special because I lived in Albertville, Rusty's home town. Along with Rusty's parents, this community impacted Rusty's life. He moved to Albertville at six years old. He  played baseball through the school system and recreation center. Many people in our area influenced Rusty's life. We are proud of Rusty, his family and our community.

Apr. 24, 1997

Apr. 24, 1997 - April Is The Time For Seniors To Fall In Love With Life © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ I heard Julie Andrews belt out the song, "Fall In Love With Life," during her broadway musical, Victor Victoria. The song, "Fall In Love With Life," struck a chord with me. Since April is celebrated as the month of poetry, I wrote a poem for you, "Fall In Love With Life." Fall in love with life. It is eternal. It feels great to see - to hear - to I be! It feels great to live, to love, to laugh! A paradigm shift to enthusiasm, Will produce a quantum leap to enchantment. FALL IN LOVE WITH LIFE! Fall in love with life. Life is so diversified, there are a trillion things to love Children's laughter - color - birds singing - sensitivity to others - beauty, joy and zeal. FALL IN LOVE WITH LIFE Fall in love with life. It will put a rainbow aroui you. You will cheer the world, and the world will cheer you FALL IN LOVE WITH LIFE Fall in love with life. It can be better every day. It is PRECIOUS, PRECOCIOUS, PRICELESS. Create the life you love; the you will love the life you live. FALL IN LOVE WITH LIFE

May 22, 1997

May 22, 1997 - Life's Like A Tandem Bike Ride © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ THE ROAD OF LIFE At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge. Keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I died. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, '"Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave us gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And when we were off again, He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places and I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says..."Pedal." (used by permission)

Jun. 19, 1997

Jun. 19, 1997 - Seniors Can Prevail During Golden Years © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ Actress Lauren Bacall is 72. In an interview for Parade Magazine, she confessed that she followed her own star and was open to whatever happened in her life. When her dear friend William Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for literature, he wrote a dedication to her: "To Lauren Bacall, who was not satisfied with just a pretty face, but rather decided to prevail. Lauren Bacall was not just a survivor, she prevailed. Webster defines the word "prevail" as (1) to gain mastery; (2) to be effective, succeed; (3) to have widespread acceptance; prevailing - having effective power or influence. Prevailing in the aging game takes planning. Exercise is the golden egg of aging. A planned daily exercise will help one prevail. Continual healthy eating will add zip to life. Faith, hope and love will make life worth living. Euphoric and tragic experiences in life makes one prevail. We hang on to the great times to feed our souls, and give to God the place called wits' end! Madeleine L'Engle said, "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." However, aging brings changes. A prevailer gets outside the box of thinking that a door is closing, and knows that a door of adventure and beginning is opening. If you are at the time in life, staring into a large window of time after the children are grown and gone or the career peaked, count it all joy. This is your time. Like Lauren Bacall, follow your own star - PREVAIL.

Aug. 28, 1997

Aug. 28, 1997 - Guntersville Seniors Share Experiences Of Boating Trip © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Golden Years - Fabulous After Fifty™ The sign on the left side of the 12-foot, 145-pound aluminum boat, Miss Guntersville Lake, reads When God Is In Your Boat And In Your Heart, You're Safe. This security took Captain Bill Harris and mate, retired local businessman Ray Hubble, 2,000 miles through rain, hail, wind, lightning, high waves and mechanical problems, safely from Guntersville to Chicago and Lake Michigan and back to Guntersville. This is the 25th trip in 30 years for 85-year-old Harris. His mate Ray Hubble declares Captain Harris has the stamina of an 18-year-old man. The only way he wants to go is straight ahead and wide open. I asked Bill to share his secrets for being ageless. He said, "I exercise everyday on my bike. I do not smoke or drink alcohol. The Lord has blessed me with good health. I love life. I love every minute I am in my boat. No person has ever touched the stirring wheel of my boat. I have loved taking it 55,000 miles in the past 30 years. That's twice around the world. "My boat is powered by a 30-horse powered Yamaha outboard motor. On the left of the motor is my tag, the size of an automobile tag. The tag reads, 'My home is in Alabama.' The sign behind the boat reads, 'God is my co-pilot"" Captain Harris told me many stories about his adventures on the mighty Mississippi River. He informed me that he was in his boat in 1977 when the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley died. Our hats go off to adventurers Captain Bill Harris, 85 and Ray Hubble, 72. While interviewing these two great men, I felt energized from their energy. I experienced a feeling of youth caught their youthfulness. They proved to me that age is a just a state of mind, not dates in time. I learned from them that a of love of life and love of God will produce a life of exciting adventure. Bill told me, "Next to God and my wife of 65 years, I love my boat. God is always in my boat with me." Before this trip, the colorful character and man of words said, "This is my last trip." Only time will tell.

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.