"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. 4, 2007

Jan. 4, 2007 - 'To Everything There Is A Season' © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The inspiration of saying farewell to President Ford has filled our nation and world in recent days. A bright star shining in a troubled world, he was eulogized as the healer of our nation. In his eulogy, President George Herbert Walker Bush declared Ford's decency was the ideal remedy for the deception of Watergate. His sterling leadership qualities led the United States out of the Vietnam war. His love for liberty filled his life. President Ford wore the shinning armor of integrity. He led a long life - 93 years - of noble purpose. The Bible tells us there is a time for everything in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: "To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant; and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to Kill; and a time to heal; a time to break down; and a time to build up; a time to weep; and a time to laugh; a time to embrace; and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get; and a time to lose; a time to keep; and a time to cast away; a time to rend; and a time to sow; a time to be silent; and a time to speak; a time to love; and a time to hate; a time of war; and a time of peace" (KJV).

Jan. 11, 2007

Jan. 11, 2007 - Prayer Of Jabez For New Year © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ I remember my sweet great grand-father, Papa Jabe. I learned this week that his real name was Jabez. His mother named him after Jabez, who was mentioned only one time in the Bible. "Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" Chronicles 4:9-10 KJV. As we enter 2007, we have great expectations for the new year. Seven is the perfect number. Beginning the new year on a positive note, we set lofty goals, believing God for a blessed year. As a young Bible student at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, I learned praying with the scripture has great power. As you pray the Jabez prayer with me this year, remember that God granted him the things he requested. That prayer reads: "Bless me indeed. Enlarge the circle of my life. I ask for your hand to be with me. Keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me."

Jan. 18, 2007

Jan. 18, 2007 - Over 50 Crowd Steps To Forefront © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The cover of Entertainment magazine flashed the lovely faces of Meryl Streep, 57, Helen Mirren, 61, and Judi Dench, 72. These beautiful women were nominated for the Golden Globe awards televised on NBC Monday night. Streep won the Best Actress Award for the comedy movie, "The Devil Wears Prada." Mirren was presented the Golden Globe award for her role in "The Queen." The silver foxes ruled as they streaked into the future, inspiring all women more than 50 to reach for the stars. The baby boomers are bringing women more than 50 to the forefront. The baby boomers and the senior boom are positive forces in the market. Movie Producers are moving in the direction ofmaking movies for the over-50 crowd. Ten years prior, only women under 39 have won the Best Actress Golden Globe award. This is certainly a paradigm shift in movie goers. The movies are a great source of inspiration and joy in midlife and beyond. Fifty-plus is an age of golden opportunity to find passion, purpose and joy for your grand finale. Albert Einstein once said, "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes closed."

Jan. 25, 2007

Jan. 25, 2007 - Attaining Vim And Vigor In 2007 © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Diane Keaton, 60, is setting the standard for vim and vigor in 2007. Even though she has a new movie coming out("Because I Said So") in her sixth decade of life, she keeps moving. Her age has not slowed her. She is still the same upbeat, vigorous person she has always been. When asked her secret, she said, "Keep active mentally (exercise that brain);physically (run, walk, swim, dance, move, move, move);socially (a positive social life gives your aging life zing, zeal and zip). Keaton enlightens those who are 50 and beyond by showing that 50 is the second act - where the grand adventure starts. To attain vim and vigor in your life for 2007, re-passion your life to add purpose and meaning. Rethink your options to add a sense of contribution. Reconnect with community to enhance self quality, and refocus your lifestyle for an energetic future. Reassess your values for a life of faith. Redesign health for the body, mind and soul. Reequip your career for hands on experiences and teachings. I like the attitude of Henry Bailey. After 55 years as president of Newburyport's Institution of Savings, he said, "It's time for a younger man to assume responsibilty." Bailey was 102 and was replaced by William Black, 83. Margaret Kuhn said, "Aging is a life-spanning process of growth and development from birth to death. Old age is an intregal part of the whole, bringing fulfillment and self-actualization. I regard aging as a triumph, a result of strength and survivorship."

Feb. 1, 2007

Feb. 1, 2007 - National Wear Red Day © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ In an effort to fight the No. 1 killer in women, the American Heart Association has declared Friday February 2, 2007 "GoRed for Women - Love Your Heart Day." Everyone, both men and women, are invited to wear red on that day for the National Wear Red Day, to bring awareness of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association gives us five simple ways to love our heart. 1. Celebrate with a check-up. Let each birthday remind you that it's time for a yearly check-up and talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk for heart disease. 2. Get off the couch. Step, march, or jog in place for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. you can do it while you watch television. 3. Quit smoking in four steps. Can't go cold turkey? Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half, then cut that number in half, cut in half again until you have cut down to zero. 4. Drop a pound or two. Cutting out just 200-300 calories a day (About one candy bar) can help you lose up to two pounds a week and gradually bring you closer to a heart-helathy weight. 5. Become a salt detective. Check out the nutrition facts panel on packaged foods to see how much sodium (salt) they contain. Aim for a total intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt) per day. I recommend you read the book "Women Are Not Small Men; Life Saving Strategies for Preventing and Healing Heart Disease in Women" by Dr. Nieca Goldberg, MD, who was a guest on my radio show last year. It is the most up-to-date guide to the single greatest health risk for women.

Feb. 8, 2007

Feb. 8, 2007 - February Is Time For Love © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Feb. 14th we will celebrate Valentine's Day by sending valentines to sweethearts, friends and family. Celebrations of love will abound with candlelight dinners, dance floors filled with lovers, and great family feasts. Red will be the dominate color. Red roses, red boxes of chocolates, and red gift packages will add zing to the party of love. The early Christian church had at least two saints named Valentine. Many believe this day of love was named after one of these saints. Still other historians believe it came from an old English belief that brds choose their mates on Feb. 14. The origin of Valentine's Day is full of legend. In the third century A.D., the Roman emporer Claudius II, was having difficulty rounding up men to serve his armies. He decided that for bidding mariage would help him recruit soldiers who might otherwise stay with families. But, a young priest named Valentine continued to marry couples and so incurred the wrath of the emporer, that the emporer threw valentine in jail and then had him executed on Feb. 14. While he was incarcerated, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. The girl was blind, but miraculously had her sight restored before Valentine died. It is said he wrote a farewell love note to her and signed it, "From your valentine." The Rev. Fulton J. Sheen once said, "As the smallest light beam is but a reflection of the light and heat that are the sun, so all truth and all love have their origin in God. Love indeed makes the world go around, and takes it back to its ultimate source, which is God." French novelist, Victor Hugo said, "What a grand thing to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!" The focus on love this month will give each of us a smile, a warm cozy feeling and a reason to celebrate." Happy Valetines Day !

Feb. 15, 2007

Feb. 15, 2007 - Meeting One, Sizzling Sensational Senior © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Last year as I hosted my Internet radio show, "Fabulous Women Over 50," on the VoiceAmerica network, I invited calls from my listeners. One call was from Cathi Watson. In a joyful, dramatic voice she told me we both had the same positive attitude about aging. She went on to tell me she was the mother of three and married to a wonderful man by the name of Bill, "The Silver Fox." She is a five-time Power Stair Climber and finisher of the stair climb benefit in Chicago, "Hustle up the Hancock." She has also been a nine-time participant in the Bolder Boulder 10K run in Bolder, Colo., which is a family affair. In 2000, she was selected Ms. Illinois Senior America, and she was the winner of the 1998 Beauties of America 60's National Pageant. As a child of immigrants Watson's parents came to America in the 1900's. Her mother was a natural nutritionist and her father was an example of work ethics personified. Watson's life has been filled with twists and turns, some exciting and others blah, but out of all of it, she has had personal growth. Watson was the elixir of youth. At age 65, she was in overdrive. "Aging has been theorized, intellectualized and spiritualized. That's about to change," she said. "Who says you can't be sexy and sensationally glamourous after 60 and beyond."

Feb. 22, 2007

Feb. 22, 2007 - We Never Lose Our Values © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Learning we never lose our value is one of the most important lessons we learn in life. A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked who would like the bill. Hands went up. Then he told them he was going to give it to one of them and he crumbled the bill up in his hands again and asked who still wanted it. Hands went up again. At that point, he dropped it on the ground and began to grind it into the floor with his shoe. It was now crumpled and dirty. He picked it up and asked who still wanted it. Hands, again, went into the air. "My friends," he said, "you have all just learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease the value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumbled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened, or what will happen, you will never lose your value." To know you will never lose your value is wisdom. King Soloman said, "For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Life changes are like shifting shadows. As we mature, many changes make our lives different. Mid-life changes may be negative; however, if we have an attitude to prevail and remember that we have not lost value, life can be Fabulous after 50. William James, the 18th century philosopher said, "It is attitude at the beginning of difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its' successful outcome."

Mar. 1, 2007

Mar. 1, 2007 - Happiness Is A Journey © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ I have a beautiful picture of yellow daffodils. The large yellow blooms have a dab of snow on each flower. Thinking about the beauty of spring as the daffodils raise their lovely heads and scream for joy, "Spring is coming," I observed via television the snow storms sweeping parts of the country. The daffodils are a sure sign spring is bumping winter out of the way. The anticipation of spring gives one a feeling of new beginnings and hope of happiness and joy that has been called spring fever. As spring approaches, let us remember happiness is not a destination, but a journey. Now is the time to be happy. The one thing each person controls is attitude. A positive attitude will bring a smile to your face and a smile is the best face and spirit lifter. My daughter once asked me if I could give one piece of advice, what would it be. I responded by telling her to live in the present. It is a present from God. I recently enjoyed a ladies retreat at the First Methodist Church in Birmingham. At the end of the retreat, the choir sang an Irish blessing. As we begin the month of March, my Irish blessing to you is hoping you remember that happiness is not a destination, but a journey. Remember this popular Irish blessing: May the wind rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Mar. 8, 2007

Mar. 8, 2007 - Increasing Energy For Spring © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ On a recent flight I noticed a woman about 80 years of age traveling alone and enjoying reading a large-print Reader's Digest. She had discovered reading is the fitness center for the brain. She gained my immediate respect as she moved spryly around the cabin. Enjoying her traveling, she gave no thought to age. She told hilarious jokes that caused laughter in her section of the cabin. Her winning ways gave me the impression of aging with vitality, high energy and passion. For the "Fabulous after 50" bunch, energy is a priceless commodity. It is the power surge that keeps one young and active. There are four concepts that will keep energy high for the upcoming spring season. Those steps include: good health as the trump card of aging with high energy; exercise as the golden egg of aging with high energy; enthusiasm captures the energy and excitement of aging; and self-efficacy is the energizing power for aging with energy. Some of the energy zappers this spring will be boredom, poor health, not enough exercise, stress, too little sleep, a poor diet, and having nothing to look towards. Growing old without getting older can be attained through a positive attitude, a youthful healthy lifestyle and working toward a goal of personal excellence. At 61, Helen Mirren recently received an Oscar for her performance in the film, "The Queen." Her inner vibrancy and energy has kept her moving forward as an actress and has made 2007 her break-out year. Her extraordinary accomplishments combined with her glamour are an inspiration to all people in mid-life. My wish for everyone is they have a life filled with high energy and adventure during this spring season.

Mar. 15, 2007

Mar. 15, 2007- Fabulous Fabrics Of Living © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ In our lives, the threads of God, Family, Friends, Country, Love, Life and the pursuit of happiness entwine into fabulous fabrics of living. There will be sad times and glad times! The interweaving of these times will create a strong multicolored fabric. There are times in life when the wrinkles in the fabric of life can be good. For instance, 2007 is in a peculiar wrinkle in time when older can be better. Father Time and Mother Nature do not put us on an evitable sentence of being old.  Living old is a choice. Third Age International proclaims the First Age: Childhood, the Second Age as Family and Career,  and the Third Age as The rest of your Life. This is a time in life to follow your passions, dreams, and give back to society. Every Fabulous Fabric has its own uniqueness. As you age,  never lose sight of your own uniqueness. Your goal is to be the best you. You do not want to be someone else. Many Fabulous Fabrics feels so divine and have a mesmerizing shine. Many Fabulous after 50 people also has a mesmerizing shine. “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you, Then your face will brighten in innocence.” Job 11:17 New Living Bible Deidre Scherer produces art by working in fabric and thread. She has addressed the issues of aging and mortality by building a series of images based on elders and mentors in her community. Scherer notes, “Families and friends who support a loved one at the end of life witness the most powerful of life’s events. These are images of death that present dying as a natural part of life and that start a cultural dialogue and deeper reflection.” Teddy Roosevelt felt the texture of the fabric of life when he said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even thou checkered by  failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.

Mar. 22, 2007

Mar. 22, 2007 - Prisoners Of Hope © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ March 20 is the fourth year anniversary of the War reminds us that our world is unsafe. I keep Phillippians 4:6 from the Living Bible in my heart: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers.” Calvin Coolidge said, “If you see 10 troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run in the ditch before they reach you.” Worry is counterproductive. The word worry comes from a Greek word meaning, “to divide the mind.” The worried mind is torn, worn and has no peace. Worry muddles the mind just as drugs, alcohol, and disease. Worry is an inside job. While preparing for Easter a few weeks away, I thought about the chicken and the egg, which brings new life. Did Jesus raise chickens? He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37 The Living Bible. Growing up on a cotton farm and my mom raised a few chickens to provide the family with eggs for breakfast and chicken for dinner. She bartered from the rolling store. The vision of a hen gathering her brood of babies under her wings and covering them with her feathers when a dog came near or they were in harms way is still clear in my mind today. I understand Jesus desires to protect us as the mother hen protects her chicks.  I’m glad Jesus used the metaphor of the mother hen.  During this time of war and terrorist threats, we look to Him for peace. As we meet each day and its challenges while traveling through shock, anger, loss and fear of the unknown, we know that whatever happens, with God, our future is filled with hope.

Mar. 29, 2007

Mar. 29, 2007 - Sipping From The Fountain Of Youth © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Nobody grows old by living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their passions, ideals and dreams. Sun may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Bring passion to your personal life and career. You will experience phenomenal success along with some heartbreak and disappointments. A passionate life is alive, filled with energy and the empowerment of passion gives one vim, vigor and vitality. I enjoyed watching "Planet Earth" last Sunday on the Discovery channel. It made me passionate and enthusiastic about this great planet on which we live. The program will be showing each Sunday at 7PM-CST on the Discovery channel. I encourage you to watch some of the most beautiful photography of our earth on those nights. The awesome miracle of nature fills our emotional tank, especially as the flowers begin to bloom, birds sing, and the sun bathes us in the warmth this spring. As we experience the new birth of spring, our spirits will rise like kites empowered by warm winds. The happy spirit of spring causes our hearts to feel light as a feather. It is a great season to love, laugh and be happy.

Apr. 5, 2007

Apr. 5, 2007 - Celebrate Holy Week © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ In the summer of 1994 during Holy Week, I walked with a tour group where Jesus walked in Jerusalem. What a thrill it was on Good Friday to kneel at the base of an old tree and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. The impact of the time, the place, and the presence of God made my tears of compassion flow freely as I prayed. I remembered Christ's lonely week from the upper room, through Jerusalem, to the cross. Jesus' prayer of agony ran through my mind - "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (NRSV) On Good Friday, Jesus died for all our sins through a horrible death on the cross. As we continue to move through Lent toward Easter, let us draw "up close and personal" to the One who gives abundant and eternal life. The Lord says, "I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1 NRSV Holy Week made time, timeless; gave hope of eternal life and meant death did not have the final word. Easter Sunday, we will praise God for life and love as we celebrate the grandeur of His creation of the beauty of spring and His resurrection from the grave. We will worship with song and word with our Christian family, and embrace the people in our circle of life while enjoying laughter, food and drink. During Holy Week, focus on God's gift of eternel life. Love is the one thing that will last through eternity. God is love. Try to attend the community noonday meals and speakers that are sponsored by the churches and the Ministerial Associations in both Albertville and Boaz. Happy Easter !

Apr. 12, 2007

Apr. 12, 2007 - Taxes With A Smile © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ During this tax season, it is a great time to remember we are blessed to live and work in America, land of the free. Those who pay taxes are proud to have generated money that will make this country strong. As we pay our taxes, we should do it with a smile. I love the humor of the cartoon character Maxine. A recent cartoon read, "I tried paying my taxes with a smile. They wanted money." Individuals living in the 10 most tax-friendly cities are smiling. Kipplinger's Personal Finance magazine listed those cities as Anchorage, Alaska; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Honolulu, Hawaii; Memphis, Tennessee; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fargo, North Dakota; Houston, Texas and Billings, Montana. If you are smiling while preparing your taxes, thankfulness is filling your hearts as you pay a percentage of your income for the support of our government. Proverbs 23:7, says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." When Jesus was asked about taxes, he said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21 KJV) As I pay my taxes, I think of the anonymous poem, "I Can Do Something." It says: "I am one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do I ought to do. And what I ought to do, with God's help, I will do." Even with the many challenges our country faces today, it is the best place in the world to live life to the fullest. We are indeed a blessed people. Georgewashington Carver once said, "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday, in life, you will be all of these."

Apr. 19, 2007

Apr. 19, 2007 - Shirley's Rules For Aging © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Here are seven rules I have discovered on must follow to age gracefully. 1. Believe that faith is a higher power. When hard times come into our lives, it's important to experience a mature faith. An intimate time alone with the Bible and prayer each day will bring a feeling of being "up close and personal" with God. 2. Fun is fine. God gave us the the pleasurable experience of laughter, free spirit and joy to dilute the difficult times of life. Are you aging sunny side up ? 3. Family is a support group that gives us strength. The bonds are strong, giving us courage to live life to the fullest. Make each day a banquet. Don't take one breath for granted. 4. Forever young provides a positive attitude of longevity. Movie star Ester Williams is still swimmimg and a business owner at 85. Negative expectations about aging may be self-fulfilling and downright dangereous to your health. 5. Forward thinking is always a plus when putting changes into place that will make your aging life better. Life is so full of possibilities, it becomes an adventure. Don't put limits on yourself. Success is doing something you love. You don't find yourself. You create yourself. 6. Fabulous attitude will fuel your life with passion and power. The one thing we have control over is our attitude. 7. Find friends. A true friend is always there for you, in good times and bad. Successful people make everyone in their circle of life friends. P.S. - I hope to see all of you at the Christian Women's Job Corp Fashion Show April 28, at 10:30am, at the Albertville First Baptist Church.

Apr. 26, 2007

Apr. 26, 2007 - Diamonds Of Bravery, Brilliance © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ All of us are still feeling the sadness of the massacre at Virginia Tech. We must believe that out of the darkness, diamonds of brilliance and bravery will rise up. Only as we walk through adversity, hand-in-hand with God, will the waters of adversity part before us. This Sunday, America will celebrate the first landing of a group of English colonists in Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English colony in the New World. In April 1607, Robert Hunt, an Angelican priest, and a group of colonists erected a rough-hewn cross in Virginia. Hunt raised his hands toward heaven and proclaimed the new land for country and king. In the prayer, he dedicated this ciontinent to the glory of God. "From these very shores the gospel shall go forth to not only this new world, but to the entire world, " he declared. As we celebrate the 400th anniversary this week, we are living the reality of Hunt's prayer. God has made this country a lighthouse for the world. As the bad news of wars and massacres, hurricanes and earthquakes give us reason to grieve, it's important to refuse to make grief a way of life. We have witnessed many diamonds of brilliance and bravery shine out of the adversity of the Virginai Tech massacre. We celebrate Livia Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, who stood in harm's way and gave his life for his students. We celebrate also the 400th birthday of the land of the free. We remember many diamonds of brilliance and bravery making the United States of America the greatest country on earth.

May 3, 2007

May 3, 2007 - America Must Unite In Prayer © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Today has been declared the National Day of Prayer. Prayers for the healing of our beloved United States of America should begin with each individual. Take three minutes for personal prayer, in preparation for our collective prayers. Second Chroincles 7:14 tells us, "If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (KJV) As you participate in your own prayer, may I share with you the 2007 "Prayer of our Nation" written by Charles R. Swindoll. "Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this. In these unsafe days, You remain all-knowing,lending us aright; In the unprecedented events we're facing. You remain absolutely sovereign. "Our Times are in Your hands. Therefore, our dependence on You is total, not partial; our need for Your forgiveness is constant; our gratitude for your grace is profound; our love for You is deep. "We ask that You guard and guide our President and all who serve the people of these United States. May uncompromising integrity mark their lives. "We also ask that You unite us as truly one nation under God. May genuine humility return to our ranks and may that blend of integrity and humility heal our land. "In the Lord's name we pray, amen."

May 10, 2007

May 10, 2007 - Ode To Mothers © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Mother's Day is a great time to write a love to mom or receive love notes from your children. This day is a day set aside to focus on the deep love of mother and child. My love note to my 85 year-old mom would read: "You taught me how to love. As a little girl, you made me feel special. That special feeling gave me self-confidence, balance in my life, and courage to live life with a positive attitude. You have the most caring, giving spirit of any person in my life. Giving is so prominent in your personality, yu do not realize that you selfless." William Cullen Bryant once wrote "An Ode to All Mothers": "Lord, who ordained for mankind benignant toils and tender cares, we thank Thee for the the ties that bind the mother to the child she bears. "We thank Thee for the hopes that rise within her heart, as day by day, the dawning soul from those young eyes look with a clearer, steadier ray. "And, grateful for the blessing given with that dear infant on her knee, she trains the eye to look to heaven, the voice to lisp a prayer to Thee. "Such thanks the blessed Mary gave when, from her lap, the Holy Child sent from on high to seek and save the lost of earth, looked up and smiled. "All gracious, grant to those who bear a mothers charge, the strength and light to lead the steps that own their care in ways of love, and truth and right." Fabulous after 50 moms have given their children wings to fly. The greatest joy is to observe our children being involved in life, making a difference in the changing world and being great parents to our grandchildren.

May 17, 2007

May 17, 2007 - Life Is A Stage, Not An Age © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ As I watched the movie "The Queen," played by Helen Mirren, I gained respect for Queen Elizabeth II, of England. The British Monarch recently visited the United States, touring the first English settlement of Jamestown during its birthday celebration. Her charm, grace and wit proved to be as sharp as her first visit 50 years ago. Learning from the movie  that the Queen loves to ride horses, it didn't surprise me when she attended the Kentucky Derby on May 5. This run for the roses was the Queen's first attendance. While at the Derby, enjoyed the Chef's special cup of tea, especially prepared for her. She enjoyed a formal state dinner in her honor when she visited President Bush in Washington. The Queen is the perfect example of the fountain of youth we see today. The almost 80 million baby bomers riding what has become known as the "Age Wave" are living longer and better and are blooming into a generation of ageless people. I call them blooming boomers.An explosion of knowledge, innovation and passion is now allowing them to grow into full bloom as they approach 50 and beyond. They personify the fact that life is a stage, not a age. These blooming boomers are causinig a change in the way we age. They are aging outside the box wiht power, style and vigor. A generation ago, people began to slow down at the big 50 and retire at age 65. Today, the boomers are blooming, starting new careers, following a passion, reinventing themselves, growing spiritually, mentally and socially. The boomers are blooming because this is the best time in history to age. Celebrating life after 50 has become colorful and fragrant with possibilities. The blooming boomers are feeling divine with a mezmerizing shine because they are discovering the art of living well.

May 24, 2007

May 24, 2007 - Celebrate Uniqueness © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ I received an invitation to my granddaughter's, Monca Marie Corcoran, graduation from Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, yesterday. Tears filled my eyes as I studied the face of the beautiful woman she had become. The invitation to her graduation party placed her graduation picture beside a kindergarten picture wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. I experienced a great desire to hold the 5-year-old Monica in my arms once again as I cherished those memories of her childhood. Graduation from high school is a milestone and the real world looms large and bright. With the support of family and friends, higher education and unlimited opportunities, our graduates have great expectations for success in life. Many of you are experiencing the joys of this graduation season with family members and friends. These graduates will step into a new world, scale higher peaks of sucess with new learned skills of discipline, goal setting, vision, and will develop strong relationships and partnerships. These specific encouraging thoughts for my granddaughter and all graduates brought to mind the topic of a women's retreat I will be conducting at Pineville First United Methodist Church in Pineville, LA, on June 30. The theme of the retreat will be "Celebrating the Uniqueness in You." My prayer for all graduates is for them to celebrate their uniqueness. Put no limitations on yourself because the universe is full of adventure and opportunity. God has planted into each graduate a unique talent, gift and ability that are seeds that will grow as their lives unfold unto in future years. These young people are the future of America and the world.

May 31, 2007

May 31, 2007 - June: The Month Of Passion © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Stepping over the threshold of the month of June, our thoughts turn to love, passion, weddings and happiness. Our hearts were squeezed with love as we celebrated Memorial Day and honored the people in the military who have experienced personal sacrifice to keep our country strong and safe. The many stories of heroism and selflessness we have witnessed through the media has given us new hope of the mighty power of the strength and honor of this great nation. You may be a bride or a groom and planning a June wedding. Or, you may be attending a wedding this month. The circle of life revolves around love. Supercharged passion between a man and a woman fills life with euphoria and, according to Webster, gives "a feeling of euphoria, of well-being, and an abnormal feeling of buoyant vigor and health." President Regan and his wife, Nancy, come to my mind when I think of suprecharged passion inside of marriage. He dedicated his life autobiography to her. "She will always be my first lady. I cannot imagine life without her." he wrote. Americans watched as Nancy took care of the former President during his battle with Alzheimer's disease. His funeral portayed a celebration of love. To practice the passion and presence of God fills life with love and the pursuit of happiness. John D. Rockefeller III once said, "the road to happiness lies in two simple priniciples - find what it is that interests you and that you can do well. And, when you find it, put your whole soul into it, every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." So, celebrate the month of June. Become super-charged with the passion this month can bring to you.

Jun. 7, 2007

Jun. 7, 2007 - Retirement Gains © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Cruise Lines are focusing on the retirement market by offering affordable packages for the positive new elders that are aging with vigor, power, and style. The retiree may be cruising the "Age Wave" on the fun ship. According to Dr. Ken Dychtwald, author of "Age Wave," the 50-plus Americans migrating up the lifeline are in charge of 70 percent of the net worth of America. Retirement in 2007 may be a new beginning when dreams come true for the average retiree. The sea of exciting aging pilgrims will add a whole new dimension to our society this year. Cruising the sea during the summer months may make a mature person feel fabulous, fit and fiesty with an infatigable spirit and unrstricted exhuberance. The mystique of a new adventure, mysterious beauty of the sea, sensational sun, sumptuous food, spirit of camaraderie and energy of mutual support will make cruise time a time to remember. Many retirees are enamored by the sea where thoughts flow easily like a steam gushing down the side of a mountain. The magnificent rising and falling waves of the vast ocean and a rising sun popping over the horizon spilling gorgeous red, orange, and yellow over the ocean is held in one moment of God's presence. The thrill of retirement goes beyond receiving the benefits of AARP card. Freedom ranks high on the benefit side of retiring. With the children grown and gone, you may retire to a warmer climate near the sea. Since people who live to be 60 are expected to live intotheir 80's, this is a golden chance to create a life totally different from the one defined by the expectations and demands of a younger life. As you retire, I hope your summer and life is filled with happiness, satisfaction and zest !

Jun. 14, 2007

Jun. 14, 2007 - The Nobility Of Being A Father © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ As I observe this generation of young fathers, I am witnessing, “hands on fathers.” Fathers who are gentle while taking care of the children when mom has other things to do. These fathers spend time at night reading a favorite bedtime story. Other times are spent at mealtime. They often pass on to their children talents, habits, physical traits, desires and ambitions. Harmon Killebrew tells the story of his father playing in the yard with he and a brother. When his Mother would come out and tell them they were tearing up the grass, he would say, We're not raising grass. We're raising boys." Jackie Kennedy once said, “If you fail with your children, you have failed in life.” Dad’s have the ability to launch their children into the Life God has planned. The nod of God is upon fatherhood. The father of a family blends love, sacrifice, example, affection, care, authority and protection to advance children into adulthood of strength, wisdom, caring, and faith in God. Fathers have a huge impact upon their children. They hand down their last name, connecting the family as a unit. The value of one’s name creates self-esteem. Belonging to a family of love and support is a gift from God. The story time at night before bed is a favorite time for Fathers. Guiding the young ones through meal time is mastered by the male gender. These Fathers are building life long memories with their children. Many years ago, Albert Einstein was spending a sick day in bed at the age of 4. His father gave him a magnetic compass that he played with all day. As he turned it every way, he noticed the needle always pointed north. This was the beginning of his life of science and discovery, and it was started by his father, who took some time for him.

Jun. 21, 2007

Jun. 21, 2007 - Keep Your Face To The Sunshine © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The brilliant sunshine, warm days, flowers, birds, trees, swimming, boating, picnics and homemade ice cream all make June 20, the first day of summer, a special day. The sunshine makes me think of a quote by Helen Keller, which said, “Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see the shadows.” Coming from a blind Alabama girl, this thought has special meaning. I also think about Tony Bennett, the long time singer. At 80, he is still going strong.  We have enjoyed his songs from the heart for many years. An article in “Modern Maturity,” magazine calls him hip, cool and sexy and it says he enjoys singing, performing, traveling, painting, and tennis. He is a gentle person with star quality. Like Helen Keller and Tony Bennett, as we keep our faces toward the sunshine, we are motivated to never stop learning and creating. My neighbors have beautiful bird houses that I see when I sit on my back porch. There are red birds, blue birds, and red wing black birds vying for the bird seeds. Underneath, on the ground, the squirrels fight over the seeds dropped to the ground. Add a few beautiful butterflies and the rays of the morning sunshine, and my first cup of hot coffee is pure pleasure. Reminiscing over summer I remember sunset as a child chasing and catching fireflies. My brother, cousins, and I would run, laugh, squeal, and put the fireflies in a mason jar. We put a lid on the jar and jabbed holes for air. After supper we put the jars in the bedroom on a shelf, strategically placing them for viewing from bed as we fell asleep. Pablo Casals once said, “If you continue to work and to absorb the beauty in the world around you, you will find that age does not necessarily mean getting old.” Remember that, and enjoy your summer.

Jun. 28, 2007

Jun. 28, 2007 - Celebrating The Fourth Of July © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ We are aging during an awesome time in history. The United States Government has projected that the number of elderly in America will double by 2030. Two-thirds of all those who have ever lived to age 65 are alive today. One thing we do treasure as we age is our freedom.  America, the land of the free, will be celebrating it's independence July 4. When I think about liberty, II Corinthians 3:17 KJV comes to mind, “Now the Lord is that spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” In thinking about freedom, liberty and independence, we have a new awareness of our great heritage remembering Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Captain on the high sea, Columbus declared he would spread Christianity for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain. His great adventure, motivated by God, gold, and spices, discovered a new land of opportunity. A scholar once said, “Columbus’s voyage was one of the greatest events in history.  In this country more cities, towns, rivers, colleges, parks and streets are named for him than any other person, except George Washington.” As an elementary school age child I learned, “In fourteen hundred ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” I also colored his ships, the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. God has planted within each individual an artistic talent, creativeness, inventive motivation, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and workmanship. To abort an idea God plants in your mind could be one of the greatest tragedies of your life. What if Christopher Columbus had aborted his dream of spreading Christianity, finding gold and new spices? You and I could have missed the opportunity to live in a free country. Banding together to keep our country free in this time of terrorist threats and of war, we should feel a new motivation to celebrate our freedom on July 4.

Jul. 4-5, 2007

Jul. 4-5, 2007 - It's Never To Late © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The Rev. Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, has been an inspiration to me all my adult life.  I have many of her books, which keep me in touch with the Creator. With Christ the center of her life, she was ready for any challenge. It was never to late for her. She met life head on, with a smile. For many years I have attended a writing conference at Wheaton College, where Graham met and married his wife, Ruth. The College has the most magnificent, inspirational museum dedicated to the life of the Grahams with many pictures of their lives. My visit each year during the first week in June is always blessed by touring the museum. I feel like I know them well, as do you, because they have been a prominent part of the spiritual, political, and family fiber of our nation. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, "Is it too late? Ah, nothing is too late 'Till the tired heart shall cease to palpitate. For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress. And, as the evening twilight fades away the sky if filled by stars invisible by day.” Ruth Graham's funeral was a praise service. She lived her life praising the Lord. As her life's “evening twilight fades away, her sky is filled by stars invisible by day.”

Jul. 12, 2007

Jul. 12, 2007 - Passion Is In Fashion Says Local Columnist © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Successful living in the second half of life means inspiring new heights of experience as we become more! Passion is certainly in fashion! The journey for the newest realm of almost 80 million baby boomers takes us into uncharted waters, however, style and passion for life over 50 is a time to enjoy, blend, and savor the flavors of life. The graying years may be the very best time to feel the texture of the fabric of life. Every fabulous fabric has its own uniqueness. Each person is definitely unique. Standing in your own light, you can Shine! As men and women grow older, we often capture the essence of the real person. We have the courage to let the real person God created shine through. We desire to follow our real passion. I think of a Godly passionate woman as lace over steel. Her femininity, softness and warm heart remind me of the intricacy of lace, and her strength, prayer power and ability could be compared to steel. Velvet over steel definitely describes a Godly male. A man, who is gentle, kind, smooth and cool gives me a feeling of velvet. A man with great strength and character reminds me of steel. Lace over steel women and velvet over steel men learn to be tough and tender. Don’t be afraid to give 100% to your passion. It comes from deep inside. Your passions are really who you are. If you give complete abandonment to your passions you produce synergy, energy, and adrenalin. This depth of passion calls you silently to a higher plain of living because passion flows from the deep well of your soul. In 1983, Dr. Ken Dychtwald ignited my passion for encouraging women over age 50 to age outside the box with power, style, and vitality. Participating in the AGE WAVE CONFERENCE in New York City, I learned the leading edge of 76 million baby boomers would experience their 50th birthday in 1996. This large number of baby boomers would unite with the seniors who are living longer, and better. For 14 years, my focus as an author, speaker, columnist and radio host has been to encourage women over 50 to make the second half of life a celebration. My books and my internet radio show are all meant to provide encouragement to women over 50. Following my passion has given me great joy and a feeling that I have made a difference.

Jul. 19, 2007

Jul. 19, 2007 - Study Club Memories © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ When I opened USA Today last week, I saw the picture of Lady Bird Johnson sitting in a garden of flowers with the headline, "A First Lady with a legacy in full flower." It reminded me of a meeting of the Albertville Study Club that was held at the home of Althea Dennis. Dennis communicated with all the living First Ladies of the United States and would ask for their recipes. After collecting the recipes, she served these wonderful delicacies to her guests. I also remembered the chocolate nut drop cookies Althea baked for us from the recipe that was sent by Lady Bird Johnson. Here it is. Chocolate Nut Drop Cookies: 1 cup butter 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup eggs (usually 2 or 3) 1 cup milk 2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon salt 4 squares chocolate 2 cups walnuts, chopped 2 teaspoons vanilla Cream butter. Add the sifted brown sugar gradually and cream until light and fluffy. Add the well-beaten eggs. Cream. Sift together the dry ingredients and add with milk alternately and mix until smooth. Add melted chocolate, chopped nuts and vanilla. Fold into mixture. Drop by tea-spoonfuls on oiled baking sheet one-inch apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Makes six dozen cookies. During her long life, Claudia (Lady Bird) Taylor Johnson, wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president, traveled the road of faith. During her life, her heart felt the bloom of life and she shared her love of the environment with all of us. At 94, she traveled the colorful interstates she help estabish to where it met the streets of gold. She leaves a legacy of deep devotion to her family, her country, and her environment. Our beloved Lady Bird Johnson aged outside the box with power, style and vitality.

Jul. 26, 2007

Jul. 26, 2007 - Secrets Of Late Bloomers © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ It's time to bloom from 50 to 105. Living ageless is being forever young. Here are a few secrets late bloomers have discovered. 1. Follow your bliss. Look deep inside yourself and understand your talents, passions and what makes you bloom. After I spoke at a women's retreat on following one's bliss, one woman shared that she retired from an accounting job she did not enjoy but she had completed an application for part-time accounting work. She then ripped the application up in front of the audience and declared she was going to follow her bliss of art, painting and music. She became a late bloomer. 2. Be extraordinary. Many people become superstars in their life after the big 50. After years of hard work meeting their goals, accumulating wisdom and power, extraordinary people bloom. 3. Celebrate life. Late bloomers over 50 are savvy, not sad. Celebrate. This is the youngest day of the rest of your life. 4. Be true to yourself. It takes courage to allow the real you to bloom. It often takes half a century to truly know oneself. 5. Have a support group. A blooming flower starts with a seed nourished by the soil. It must have water and sunshine to grow. A late bloomer has mentors, motivators and supporters. My own support group is very large. I'm in a writers' group that meets monthly to share information and to also encourage each other. 6. Laugh a lot if you desire to be a late bloomer. You've learned to appreciate spontaneous humor because it gives life a spicy flavor. Let the child within you play. 7. Place Jesus on the throne of your life. He is the life preserver that will keep a late bloomer from drowning in the sea of aging. 8. Reinvent yourself. A late bloomer realizes that talent does not age. Moving forward toward the goals you have set for yourself and tweaking your image, personally, socially and business-wise will bloom you into a brilliant new future. 9. Smile. A smile is a face and spirit lifter. It is free. Smile at the world and it will smile at you. 10. Bloom. The present is a present from God. It's now or never. Enjoy these bonus years. This is the grand finale.

Aug. 2, 2007

Aug. 2, 2007 - What You Think © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ As we travel this road of life, our desire is to accelerate. We feel urgency that each moment is precious. Our souls reach out for rich relationships, beauty, music, laughter, fun, meaningful work and a spiritual connection with God. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "For as a man thinks, so is he." We are what we think. We choose to be positive or negative, enthusiastic or dull, active or passive. Positive thinking and a positive attitude propels each person to success and happiness. It's impossible to feel good with negative thoughts. "Everything that's coming into your life you are attracting into your life. And, it's attracted to you by virtue of the images you're holding in your mind. It's what you're thinking. Whatever is going on in your mind you are attracting to you," said Bob Proctor, speaker and chief executive office of Life Success Productions. Life experiences have taught the people living in the third stage of life to control their thoughts with mood shifters. What are your mood shifters? Do you listen, sing or dance to music? What about social activities? Place yourself into a social atmosphere of choice. Do you enjoy beauty in nature, flowers or sunsets? What about work? If you have a passion for your work, it will be fun. And what about love? God is love at the highest frequency. Most of the people I have interviewed that are 50+ have the greatest desires for love, freedom, and power. What you love and what you think creates your reality.

Aug. 9, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007 - Summer Survival © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The sweltering heat and the heated enthusiasm of the first day of school equals a red hot summer for those returning for a new school year. During these dog days of summer, when the heat index is high, it's important to hydrate, wear cool, light-colored clothes and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Water is very important to our systems. We need to drink six or eight glasses of water daily. It is the basis of body fluid for digestive juices, blood, urine, lymph, and perspiration. Cell processes depend on water. Organ functions must have water. H-2-O is essential as a lubricant and is a basis for saliva and mucous secretions, joints and keeps food moving through the intestinal tract to eliminate waste. It also helps regulate body temperature. It also hydrates and helps maintain muscle tone, plumps skin, and leaves it healthy, resilient, and clear. During the summer, we need to drink more liquids such as fruit juices, milk, and fitness water. Coffees, tea and cola are not ideal substitutes for water because they have a diuretic effect. Water suppresses the natural appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. If you don't drink enough water, the kidneys will dump part of their load into the liver. Since one of the main functions of the liver is to metabolize stored fat into energy, it is important to keep the kidneys and liver operating at optimum level. Drinking enough water will help keep our hands, feet and legs from swelling. When we don't get enough to drink, our body reacts by storing every extra drop outside the cells, causing water retention. Water is certainly a link to healthy physical aging, so drink up. And, don't forget to hydrate pets and keep them in a cool place.

Aug. 16, 2007

Aug. 16, 2007 - Power Of Appreciation © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ No matter who we are or what our actions may say, we all want to be recognized and appreciated. To be appreciated can be very empowering. Appreciation or grateful recognition is a mood lifter. When we are appreciated, we feel valuable. Mac Andersen, founder of "Simple Truths," sends me his e-mail newsletter. Her recently sent a story about the simple truth of appreciation and gave me permission to share it with my readers. Jamie Escalante, the teacher on whom the movie "Stand and Deliver" was based, tells an amazing story about a mistaken identity and the difference it made in a young man's life. The teacher had two students in her class who were both named Johnny. One Johnny was an excellent student, a happy child, and always had his homework completed on time. The other Johnny was always in trouble, never had his work finished, and generally made the teacher's life miserable. The night of the first PTA open house of the year, a mother stayed after the meeting to ask about her son, Johnny, and how he was getting along in class. Assuming it was a matter of the "good" Johnny, the teacher replied, "I can't tell you how much I appreciate him. I am so glad he's in my class." The next day, for the first time all year, the "problem" Johnny had all his work done. He spoke up in class and never once caused a disruption. He even volunteered to help another student. The teacher was astounded. At the end of the day when everyone else had left, problem Johnny came up to the teacher and said, "My mom told me what you said about me last night. I haven't ever had a teacher who wanted me in his class." That Johnny became one of the best students the teacher ever had - and all because of a mistaken dose of appreciation. No matter who we are and what our station in life is, we all want and need to be appreciated. I appreciate you for reading this column.

Aug. 23, 2007

Aug. 23, 2007 - Java For Good Health © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ New research has revealed Java, the world's everyday elixir, is the new health drink. 1 was thrilled when I heard the.news because, like many of you, I enjoy my first cup of coffee each morning. It's a relationship that began in college when I needed to stay awake to study. I like rmy coffee robust, hot - and often. As we age, we focus on daily habits that will improve our health. In 2002, the University of Arizona found that women 65 and older, who drank a cup of regular coffee 30 minutes before a memory test, scored higher than decaf drinkers. On the Today Show recently, the fact was revealed that one or two cups of coffee will improve one's memory. In a study of 27,000 women in 2006, it was revealed that one to three cups of coffee daily can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. But, let's not leave out the men. In Europe, a 10-year study of elderly men revealed that those who drank three cups of coffee daily had less cognitive decline than non-drinkers. The University of Scranton revealed after a study that coffee is the No. 1 source of antioxidants, exceeding wine, chocolate, tea, fruits and vegetables. Coffee has had a bad rap in the past. Health studies now show if you can sleep and you do not get the jitters, then you are not getting too much coffee. So, if you enjoy coffee, drink up for a stronger body and sharper mind.

Sept. 1, 2007

Sept. 1, 2007 - A Zest For Life © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Have you known aging people who hide their age like money in a Swiss bank account? That's not the case with singer and painter Tony Bennett. At 81, he appears on the cover of the September-October issue of AARP Magazine with Christina Aguilera. He likes his age and says it breeds enthusiasm. Bennett keeps working and learning. When an AARP-sponsored concert tour ends Dec. 6, he will host a concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York to benefit arts education. This popular musician has not lost his zest for life. America has been focusing on the virtues of aging. The value of gray matter and experience has caused corporate America to hire people that are 50 plus, full time and part time, to help accomplish corporate goals. Many older employees are more dependable, enthusiastic, qualified, and focused than younger people. Mature Americans are becoming more physically fit. No matter how much tread is on their tires, they have discovered the body is a marvelous machine. It is never too late to begin a fitness program and never too late to improve one's health. Victor Hugo once said, "Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age."

Sept. 6, 2007

Sept. 6, 2007 - Abundant Life After 50 © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Fifty years young is the timeline where the past meets the new future. It is the prime time to be the real you. Adventurous aging, whether traveling, putting a fall wardrobe together, being a mentor, or helping people in the aftermath of a tornado, or of helping war-torn countries, puts us in the frame of mind to be prisoners of hope. I love the cool breeze and colorful leaves of the fall season. Remember this is the youngest fall season of the rest of your life. Get out and enjoy it. To travel is to have the privilege of a fuller life. As you travel, you become a more knowledgeable citizen of the world, and knowledge of the vast scope of modern humanity. Some travel gives unparalleled inspiration. New ideas are born. Let the limits of your mind expand to limitless thoughts. If you are unable to travel, movies, books, television and the internet have a wealth of selections for limitless thinking. Mark Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." In the September/October 2007 issue of AARP Magazine, a full-page picture was displayed of the beautiful, smiling face of Nola Ochs, 95 a great-grandmother of 16. She is the worlds oldest person to graduate from college. She earned her bachelor of art degree in history from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. She told the reporter she was considering a master's degree. Nola Ochs lives an abundant life after 50. A river of life flows through us. Let it flow through your aging life with great joy and hope.

Sept. 13, 2007

Sept. 13, 2007 - Life's Like A Vapor © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The Bible tells us life is like a vanishing vapor. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." James 4:14 KJV That has even been more evident this week as we have experienced some losses of people and ideals. Do you remember what you were doing when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on Sept. 11? I was watching the Today Show, preparing for a trip to Denver, anticipating attending a conference on aging at "Focus on the Family." However, all airplanes were grounded following the terrorist attack. I have always admired the God-given talent of Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. One of the most important singers in the history of opera, his extraordinary voice thrilled audiences. In his autobiography, "Pavarotti: My World," he "Nothing that has happened has made me feel gloomy or remain depressed. I love my life." His death at age 71 reminds us again that life is fragile. Now is the time to love life and to cherish it. Actress Jane Wyman, Academy Award winner for her performance in "Johnny Belinda," a star of the TV series "Falcon Crest" and the first wife of President Reagan, also died this week. We feel a special kinship with people who have entertained us through the years. All of these events teach us that life can change in a twinkling of an eye. These tragic events should give us determination to celebrate life in the present.

Sept. 20, 2007

Sept. 20, 2007 - Grandkids Are Grand © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ We celebrated Grandparents Day on Sept. 9. I find it a great privilege to be a grandmother to my eight beautiful grandchildren, ranging from ages 2-20. They light up my life and give me hope for the future. Being a grandparent is one of the perks of being "Fabulous After 50." Not only do our grandchildren gain from being in a relationship with us, but we receive happiness from their childlike brightness and joys. Corrie ten Boom once expressed the mutual benefits well: "Children need the wisdom of their elders; the aging need the encour agement of a child's exuberance." Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, often speaks of the faith of his grandmother and how it ultimately led him into a relationship with the Lord. I was recently seated on an airplane next to a 10-year-old girl from Parker, Col. Traveling to visit her grandparents in Tuscaloosa. She asked me if I was a grandmother and I told her yes, that I was a grandmother of eight. Then she told me she wanted to write me a poem. I was amazed as I watched her compose the following poem. Old... The body of my grandmother looks old Yet, she is young in her soul... Her walk is a slow pace Yet, she could win the human race... Some people think she's no fun Yet, I think she's number one.... Congratulations to all grandparents. I salute you all as conduits for God's love.

Sept. 27, 2007

Sept. 27, 2007 - Fall's Mystique © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Fall weather brings a change in the seasons much like the changes in our lives. I walked the track at Health Connections in Boaz this morning. What a treat! As I walked, the smell of fall penetrated the air as my breath came faster. The cool, early morning, with me birds singing me a song, gave my spirit a lift in addition to increasing my heart rate. The track has trees filled with brilliant colored leaves, squirrels scurrying around gathering nuts, nice wooden bridges that cross a lazy brook and is a great place to get that energy raging. As I walked, the early morning sunlight spread its rays across the sky like great golden fingers, making my spirit fly high. There are also benches along the trail, if anyone desires to sit and enjoy the mystique of fall. Actress Jane Seymour, 56, was a prime example this week as she danced on the new season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars." It was obvious she remembered that exercise is the golden egg of aging. Dr. Ken Dychtwald, the president of Age Wave, has written three books: "Age Wave," "Age Power" and "The Power Years." These books give people over 50 the ability to see the mystique of the fall season of life. We are the first generation to have the prospect of living longer while living better. We are called the "new old." In his book, Dr. Dychtwald said, "Eighty percent of the baby boomers do not want to retire. They want to re-invent themselves." After 65 years of living, many are starting new careers, breaking out by having fun, traveling, living in different locations and making new friends. Celebrate the mystique of the fall season and also the fall season of your life.

Oct. 4, 2007

Oct. 4, 2007 - News Of Sputnik Caused A Chill © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Where were you 50 years ago, when the first artificial object orbited the earth? As usual, I woke in my dorm room, at Alabama College in Montevallo. My roommate, Amelia Epps, and I always awoke at 6 each morning to music on the clock radio. That day, Oct. 4, 1957, was no exception. However, the announcer that morning blared, "The Soviet Union has launched a spaceship called 'Sputnik 1,' that is orbiting the earth." We knew We were in a cold war with the Soviet Union and this announcement sent a chill down our spines. If you remember, Sputnik 2 sent a small dog into orbit. And Americans created a sputnikburger with "Czarist Russian" dressing and caviar. This launch into space changed the world and history. The space race between toe two nations created the first walk on the moon by American Neil Armstrong. His words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," are etched in our minds. During these 50-years, we have watched technology move forward like and unfolding flower to continue to improve our lives. The American space program is how focused on the planet Mars. At 77 years old, astronaut Thomas Stafford foresees a space race with China and hopes an American will be the first to leave footprints on Mars. With this 50th anniversary of the space program, our hope is to see more positive space explorations.

Oct. 11, 2007

Oct. 11, 2007 - A Great Time To Be Silver © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The marketers shout "It's a great time to be silver!" The aging baby boomers and the senior boom join together to make people who are more than 50 years old a large mass of our society. It's important for us, as individuals and a society as a whole, to age with good health, financial security, a productive life and a positive attitude. The key to a positive attitude is focusing on the opportunities a challenging situation provides, not the drawbacks and trouble. To train your brain to see the world positively, learn the secret of an optimistic outlook. Some of the positive thinking perks are higher esteem, a healthier immune system and the energy to make things happen. A positive attitude will make becoming a member of the silver group a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Along with silver hair, a silver lining to aging is enhanced, by great habits. Aging is cumulative. The culmination of the little things we do every day and the way we treat our bodies determine how successfully we age. Good habits carry over into our aging years. Listen to your body. Keep those muscles in motion. Planned daily exercise helps us prevail by increasing our strength and resilience. Be active, attractive and healthy. Consistently healthy eating adds fuel for life. Factoring in faith, hope and love will make life worth living. Keep the stars in your eyes and hope in your heart. Stay interested, motivated and involved.

Oct. 18, 2007

Oct. 18, 2007 - Positive Thinking © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Positive possibility thinking and words set a framework for a happier life. An example of this is the fact 60 percent of the office workforce works in cubicles. A worker with a positive attitude may say, "I plan to be very creative and productive in my cozy corner." A person with a negative attitude will use downward spiral language like "This is my private padded cell." If you work in a cubicle, how you feel about your workspace has a direct effect upon your productivity and attitude. Some positive suggestions to improve a cubicle are to own the space, organize the clutter provide proper lighting, display fresh flowers or small pictures of loved ones, and to decorate with favorite colors. Reading all the words Jesus spoke in the Bible is a great way to be a possibility thinker. Jesus knew the power of words. In John 6:63, He said,"...the words that I speak unto you, they are the spirit, and they are life," The Food Basket Restaurant in Albertville displays a plaque that reads, "Speak kind words, receive kind echoes." Are you a negative naysayer, or are you a positive life-giving communicator? The sky opens up with possibility thinking and life giving words. Be an encour-ager today with your words.

Oct. 25, 2007

Oct. 25, 2007 - Designing A Life © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Sometimes we forget to envision the future. We forget that we have the freedom to design our own lives with the Holy Spirit as our director. At 60, it's time to design the life we want. In his book "You Can Be President," Bob Moore wrote: "Today I am not afraid; I feel confident toward myself and what I can accomplish. I am a president; president of my thoughts, president of my actions, president of my reactions, and president of the quality of my work -I am president of my life.   "As president, I am free to carry out any type of administration I wish - good, average, poor. However, I know that what I give to my administration determines what life gives me in return, not luck or fate. Whatever my action, I can expect the same type of reaction from the world in return. In the past, I have been like the average person and used only 10 percent of my potential and ability; 90 percent of what I can be and do is still inside me begging to be used. Today, I will handle well all the situations that I face because I will use more of the untapped potential and ability that I possess. "I am somebody. I am the president of my life. Mine will be a good administration. I have potential! I have ability!" I am delighted to invite you into my "Millennium Minutes," truths, and hopes condensed from a year where I wrestled with my past, dreamed about and planned for my future, and accepted the gift of the present.

Nov. 1, 2007

Nov. 1, 2007 - Fall Seasons © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ I love the enchantment of the beautiful fall season on Sand Mountain. It reminds me of the fall season of life. If your spirit has been deflated by aging, I hope this column inflates that spirit into a huge, bolder attitude. I encourage you to grow bolder, not older. Every minute after the half century mark in life is precious. You can't save time, so spend it to your delight. Do not let the "old person" syndrome make you a shadow of the person you could be. Instead, climb the ladder of success and the stair master at the gym. Be empowered by your life experiences and the maturity of age. Life after 50 is a bonus. One person who has aged brilliantly is Oprah Winfrey. I have watched her shine even brighter as she has aged over the years. Queen Elizabeth II has aged with dignity. This 81-year-old granny has reigned as queen over Britain for 55 years. The British public has selected her as the Greatest Living Brit 2007. Other examples are Jerry Seinfeld, who tells us to-never stop, having fun, and actress Diane Keaton shows us how to live a healthy lifestyle with vim, vigor and vitality. God has planted seeds of greatness in each person. As we age, it's important to stir up those talents, gifts, and dreams and leave a legacy of growing bolder with age.

Nov. 8, 2007

Nov. 8, 2007 - Count Blessings Not Candles © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ If you need a huge birthday cake to place all of your candles, you are blessed. You are also a member of the growing senior boom. If the wrinkles on your .face and the number of candles on your birthday cake make you feel depressed, just remember it isn't your personality that enters the room, it's your essence. Nelle Harper Lee, born in 1926 in Monroeville, received a Pulitzer Prize for :her novel "To Kill A Mockingbird." This week, she accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom award from President Bush. In his presentation, President Bush said, "This daughter of Monroeville, Alabama, had something to say about honor and tolerance, and most of all love, and it still resonates." She enjoyed counting her blessings, not her candles on the cake. Carol Burnett is also glad to have many candles on her birthday cake. As I watched a 90-minute documentary on her life, I realized how much joy she gave everyone in the years past on her show, "The Carol Burnett Show." Her down-home humor makes her feel like an old friend. This woman of humor and character is ageless. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, we should place our attention on counting our blessings, not our candles. This is the time of year to reflect and be thankful. The Bible tells us in I Thessalonians 5:18 that "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" KJV

Nov. 17, 2007

Nov. 17, 2007 - Life Is A Shadow © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The verse in I Corinthians 25:15 - "Our days on earth are like a shadow...(KJV)" - has a new meaning to me as my lovely mom's life journey turned into the streets of gold this week. I remember as a child playing with my cousins during the beautiful fall season. As we chased each other in the colorful leaves, listening to their cracking sound, the bright fall sunshine would create a long shadow. Jumping behind a tree, the shadow would suddenly disappear. Entering into this jubilant season of Thanksgiving, it's a great time to spend quality time with our family and friends. A time to reach out and touch the ones we love. America's tradition to circle around a table filled with favorite foods using a turkey as a centerpiece, creates an atmosphere for intimate connections. Time is precious. It's a waste to spend it in anger, regret, misunderstandings, depression, sadness, or unforgiveness. Thanksgiving is a time of love and laughter. My wish for you and your family is that laughter will ring in the rafters. Sunshine will fill every corner and joy will fill the air.

Nov. 22, 2007

Nov. 22, 2007 - Life Can Be Such A Symphony © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ The silent beauty of the brilliantly-colored fall leaves makes my heart sing. We can feel a crescendo as we celebrate the Thanksgiving season. Life can be a symphony The feelings of thankfulness fill our souls as we celebrateThanksgiving today. Those of us more than age 50 feel as if we have found the fountain of youth to be blessed with the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving Day 50 times. The fountain of youth can be found in the Holy Bible when Jesus said, "If any man is thirsty, let him come and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," St. John 7:37, 38 KJV. If you are blessed with good biology, practice good health habits, live daily at the helm of your higher self, stay positive, creative and productive. You may have found your ow n fountain of youth. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Some people die with the music still in them." As we reach Thanksgiving 2007, let's splash in the fountain of- voufch ar»d~i.ins a song of thanks. Thanksgiving is the time to appreciate family and friends. This is wishing you happy Thanksgiving and a special day with those you love.

Nov. 29, 2007

Nov. 29, 2007 - Defensive Aging © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ New-millennium seniors are helping write a golden chapter for aging Americans and all future generations. We are expanding our youth corridor with defensive aging. As seniors, we are involved with the world around us. We are staying healthy by practicing good habits and proper nutrition. We keep raising the bar to exceed sensational expectations. These golden years are a blessing. We are pushing the aging envelope to the limit to enjoy our grand finale. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President Kennedy, raised her four sons and one daughter in the spotlight of the media, so we know her well. I recently watched a program on television where her children were hosts to a tribute at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. The tribute was for her work as founder of the Special Olympics in 1968. Her mentally retarded sister, Rosemary, inspired Eunice Kennedy to become a champion for the rights of the mentally retarded. Her children proclaimed their mother was perpetual motion and never sat on the couch. This 86-year-old woman continues to make a difference in the world and continues to raise the bar to a higher calling in life. What will expand our youth corridor? One idea to remember for expanding it is to remember that passion is in fashion during this new millenium. Other ideas are to remember that exercise is the golden egg of aging, proper nutrition fuels life, and the love for God, family and America constitutes the foundation of successful aging. Also, remember the charismatic spirit never grows old, the right attitude is to grow bolder, not older and, best of all, enjoy the bonus years.

Dec. 6, 2007

Dec. 6, 2007 - Aging Propels Or Paralyzes © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Ron Kauffman, a certified senior advisor and the producer and host of Boomer and Senior Lifestyles Live with Senior LifeStyles Intelligent Talk Radio, Inc., invited me to be a guest on his show this week. We talked about how aging propels some people but paralyzes others, and how growing older deflates some spirits and inflates others. Why? We came to the conclusion that mid-life presents challenges and changes. Faith is the top characteristic that propels one forward with an inflated spirit. Attitude plays a huge role in the way we live our daily lives. Interests determine how we play out the aging life. Thankfulness gives us gratitude for the bonus years. Happiness celebrates the grand finale. Art Linkletter, 95, is a shining example of moving forward. He has written a new book with Mark Victor Hansen, "How to Make The Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life." Losing one of his sons in a car accident and a daughter from LSD use did not amputate his spirit. It propelled him forward as a drug crusader. Through his grief, he made a choice to help others.

Dec. 13, 2007

Dec. 13, 2007 -  Christmas Season Means Love © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ Christmas gives us a mystical feeling of happiness and love. My passion for Jesus runs .like a scarlet ribbon through my life. My love for Him gives me zip, zeal and zest for living. The approaching Christmas season amplifies that love. As we celebrate Christ's birthday, our focus is on love. I have observed that during the Christmas holiday, everyone dresses festively, enjoys parties, family gatherings, wonderful worship services at church, and shopping for gifts. The love of Jesus reigns. Love is felt worshiping at special Christmas services. As we decorate the tree, we should remember the green tree represents the continuance of life the red decorations represent the blood of Jesus. Baking becomes fun, as the kitchen once again becomes the center of the gathering of the family for a feast. Everywhere I go, I see people wearing red, a cheerful color. The glow of the red reflects in the face and spirit. Webster defines the word merry as "given to mirth and laughter; marked by cheerfulness and gay spirits or to be in .high spirits." That is exactly what we do when we greet each other with "Merry Christmas." The music, laughter, food, camaraderie, Christmas tree, and the exchange of gifts fill the air with magic. The belief that people lose their passion after 50 is simply not true. The greatest generation and the baby boomers are writing a love song to life during the Christmas season. We experience the love of Jesus through the cradle, cross and crown. The cradle in Bethlehem cradled the Baby Jesus, who is the hope of the world. The cross symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ that gave meaning to his birth. The crown gives hope of Christ's return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As the magic of Christmas spreads its web of love around you, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Dec. 20, 2007

Dec. 20, 2007 - Traditions of Christmas © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ As Christmas approaches, we need to think about the traditions of the season that connects us to each other and to the past. Hopefully, we each will pass both family and American traditions to the next generation as this Christmas approaches. As a child growing up on Sand Mountain, I remember when many of us lived on small cotton farms. We lived off the land and possessed little cash, but when the bales of cotton had been sold, there was a little extra money to spend for Christmas. My mom floated the fragrance of baked cakes, cookies and candies throughout the home as she spent time preparing a Christmas feast. My dad would make his annual trip to the grocery store purchasing apples, oranges, nuts and candy canes for the goodies that filled our stockings. Santa Claus represented joy because of the presents he brought the children. According to legend, the candy canes in those stockings were introduced in Indiana in the early 1880's by a man that wanted the cane to be a witness during the holiday season. The white on the cane represented the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus Christ. The small red stripes symbolized the scourging of Jesus before He was hung on the cross and the wider red stripes represented the blood that Jesus shed for our sins. The shepherd's staff shape represented the fact Jesus was the Good Shepherd and if one turned the staff upside down, the letter J represented Jesus. Churches throughout the area focus on the birth of Jesus Christ in its own traditional way. Here is hoping you and your family will celebrate Christmas in your own traditional and unique way. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Dec. 27, 2007

Dec. 27, 2007 - New Year's Wishes © by Shirley W. Mitchell, Lifestyles - Fabulous after Fifty™ One thing I have learned as I grow older is the years get shorter! We are now ready to say goodbye to 2007 and celebrate the beginning of 2008. Those of us who have lived a half century are thrilled to enjoy these bonus years. Joy is the oil that takes the friction out of life. Circumstances, or people, are not responsible for our happiness. It's our responsibility to live our lives in our in our own special way that makes us joyful. We should master the art of living well. Celebrate 2008. It's the youngest year of the rest of our lives and is a present that should be unwrapped each day with a joyful attitude. The extra years have taught us many things, one of which is the possibility of possessing the ability to control our attitude. Meditating on the Word of God daily gives us wisdom to stay positive. We should smile, sing, create, love, forgive, and praise and worship Him. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us "The joy of the Lord is our strength." I love the New Year and I think of it as a new beginning. Like you, I have bought my 2008 calendar, written my list of goals, and made New Year's resolutions that will empower me to age outside the box. As 2007 sinks into the unfathomable depths of time and 2008 rises from the great ocean of eternity, I wish you health, happiness and love.

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.