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7 factors that tell you how wise you are

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have always considered yourself to be a wise person, a new test could determine just how right you are.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers at the University of California’s School of Medicine have devised a scale that can help determine an individual’s level of wisdom with a high level of validity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Previously, the team had created a 28-item scale, which has been used in large national and international studies, research, and clinical trials to assess wisdom.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their latest scale, published in </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/abbreviated-san-diego-wisdom-scale-sdwise7-and-jestethomas-wisdom-index-jtwi/A9B158C6025CB60097F93E36E8D0B859#article" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">International Psychogeriatrics</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, was found to be a reliable and comparable measure of wisdom, which has a strong association with wellbeing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Wisdom measures are increasingly being used to study factors that impact mental health and optimal ageing,” </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211203081529.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Dr Dilip V Jeste, the study’s senior author and a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the university.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We wanted to test if a list of only seven factors could provide valuable information to test wisdom.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The scale is made up of seven statements that relate to the seven components of wisdom: self-reflection, emotional regulation, pro-social behaviours such as empathy and compassion, acceptance of diverse perspectives, decisiveness, social advising, and spirituality.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Participants then rate the statements on a one to five scale, from strongly disagree to strongly agree.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Examples include “I remain calm under pressure” and “I avoid situations where I know my help will be needed”, and others ask participants to rate their abilities to make major decisions, engage in self-reflection, and how they feel about diverse viewpoints.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Shorter doesn’t mean less valid,” Dr Jeste said. “We selected the right type of questions to get important information that not only contributes to the advancement of science but also supports our previous data that wisdom correlates with health and longevity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Jeste said assessing levels of wisdom is useful for reducing loneliness and improving overall wellbeing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Like the COVID-19 vaccine protects us from the novel coronavirus, wisdom can aid in protecting us from loneliness,” he explained. “Thus, we can potentially help end a behavioural pandemic of loneliness, suicides and opioid abuse that has been going on for the last 20 years.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, Dr Jeste said future research would see the test be used to assess wisdom in genetic, biological, psychosocial and cultural studies, as well as other factors relating to mental, physical and cognitive health.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We need wisdom for surviving and thriving in life,” Dr Jeste said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Now, we have a list of questions that take less than a couple of minutes to answer that can be put into clinical practice to try to help individuals.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the abbreviated test, Jeste, along with coauthors and colleagues, chose one pivotal question (out of four prompts) from each of wisdom's seven subscale categories:</span></p> <p><strong>The Seven-Item Wisdom Scale Prompts (Subscale in Parenthesis)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I tend to postpone making major decisions as long as I can." (Decisiveness)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I avoid self-reflection." (Self-Reflection)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I avoid situations where I know my help will be needed." (Prosocial Behaviors)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I often don't know what to tell people when they come to me for advice." (Social Advising)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I remain calm under pressure." (Emotional Regulation)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I enjoy being exposed to diverse viewpoints." (Acceptance of Divergent Perspectives)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"My spiritual belief gives me inner strength." (Spirituality)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re curious and would like to test yourself on the original 28-question scale, you can do so </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/5991949/Jeste-Thomas-Wisdom-Index" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Mind

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Inside the world’s first midlife wisdom school

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When retirement age hits, a whole new set of challenges are presented. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From health insurance, funeral plans, superannuation and everything in between, the transition into retirement can be trickier than originally thought.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In order to help with this uncertain time, the world’s first </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">midlife wisdom school, known as <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.modernelderacademy.com" target="_blank">Modern Elder Academy</a> (MEA) has been founded by CEO Chip Conley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">MEA offers courses, both on-line and in person that help people to navigate midlife transitions, find purpose and reframe their mindset on ageing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">MEA attracts people of all ages and stages, from midlife and beyond to help and reframe how individuals think about retirement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Writer Ang Galloway, who is part of the MEA team, said the program helped them restructure their thinking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I want more from the second half of life than the societal script I inherited. I knew I wasn’t in the market for sensible, beige or elasticised anything and yet the image of ageing that society reflected back at me was at total odds with how I felt. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“MEA helped me to reframe midlife from a crisis to a calling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Founder Chip Conley said he was inspired to create MEA after writing his book titled </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wisdom@Work: The Making of Modern Elder. </span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s a whole culture out there telling us that getting older means becoming less relevant. But MEA deems that wisdom and experience have never been more important in the workplace…or in the world.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said, “At MEA we believe in making ageing aspirational. It’s about creating a life that is as deep and meaningful as it is long.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">MEA runs a series of online courses, including “Navigating Midlife Transitions”, “The Big Reset” and “Flourish in Midlife and Beyond”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The courses have been a huge success online, with people from all over the globe saying how MEA’s message helped them redefine what retirement means for them.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Retirement Life

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Wisdom from my 97-year-old mum on gardening and cats

<p><em><strong>Robyn Lee is in her 70s and lives with two lovable but naughty cats. She has published a book on seniors behaving badly, entitled Old Age and Villainy, and considers herself an expert on the subject. </strong></em></p> <p>The Matriarch (TM) is a very positive woman and always has been. If any of us have problems, her favourite comment is always “when one door closes, another opens,” or, “count your blessings, it could be worse.” Sometimes it wouldn’t be received very well by the person to whom it was directed. But TM could always see the bright side of things and she was usually right.</p> <p>Although there was one occasion when it wasn’t appreciated at all. I can’t recall the incident, but TM told me about it later and said, “well, my intentions were good”, then added, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions… although I’m not sure what that means!”</p> <p>She was one to count her blessings though and delighted in the small things in life. She derived enormous pleasure from her garden when the tenderness she’d lavished on a sickly plant rewarded her care with brilliant blooms. Her excitement knew no bounds when seeds or bulbs she had planted first peeped through their covering of soil. I would call in for coffee and she would say, “come and see my beautiful gladdies” (gladiolus), or “my frangipani is finally flowering!” and joyfully show me whatever else in her beautiful garden that may have caused her delight. Then we would come back inside to cold coffee…</p> <p>When I first arrived in Australia, because of the different climate, I didn’t have much success with growing houseplants. The exotic houseplants I grew so well in New Zealand didn’t survive when I tried to grow them indoors here because they were used to the strong sunlight and dry conditions and didn’t like being housebound. I had to learn a whole new way of growing things.</p> <p>TM was in Australia visiting me one time. By then I’d got the trick of growing plants successfully, so much so that my patio looked like a rainforest. However, I was struggling with a staghorn which didn’t look very well at all. TM caught sight of it. “Oh, the poor thing,” she murmured sadly. I felt as if I’d kicked a puppy… However, during her stay she nurtured it and suggested a better place for the plant. I had that staghorn for years along with all the other pot plants. I eventually gave them to my daughter when I downsized some years ago and they’ve matured into beautiful specimens in the mini rainforest on her property. TM was very happy to see them thriving, especially the staghorn.</p> <p>TM also loved animals and nature in all shapes and forms, but she has a special place in her heart for cats. In fact, our whole family, including the extended tribe, loves cats.  You can’t visit anyone without a moggy mooching around the place or jumping onto your lap. </p> <p>When Father was alive, he and TM had a beautiful smoky grey longhaired cat to whom they gave the very original name of “Tom”. He was a fiend of a cat though. He had the sweetest looking face and would walk towards an unsuspecting visitor, plumy tail held high and waving gently. The hapless visitor would bend to stroke him and he’d immediately swipe at them with an enormous paw or sink his fangs into their hand. Yet, with people he knew, he was surprisingly gentle. </p> <p>TM hated taking him to the vet and Tom hated the vet. According to TM, he’d yowl at full voice and spray everything and anyone who came near him. </p> <p>“He’s so awful,” said TM, embarrassed at the way her errant pet had behaved. “The poor vet has to wear leather gloves to prevent being scratched to ribbons. Believe me, if Tom didn’t injure himself or need vaccinating, we’d never go near the vet!”</p> <p>Father always said TM could speak “cat”. I heard the proof for myself one day. Tom had this tiny little “mew” (except when he was screeching at the vet), and I could hear him carrying on and on. I went to investigate and found TM and her cat eyeball to eyeball having a conversation. Tom would mew then TM would mew back, so it went back and forth. I stood there watching this in amazement then laughed, it looked and sounded so funny. TM wasn’t the slightest bit perturbed and told me Tom had been telling her about his day. </p> <p>Right… Another time, I wondered who TM was talking to. I heard, “What’s the matter, Tom?”.  A mew. “Are you feeling pale?” Another, pathetic little mew. “Would you like some din-dins?”  And so on.</p> <p>We’re inclined to treat our cats as surrogate children and TM was worse than all of us put together. During our phone conversations, she always asks after “the girls”. Not my daughters, but my cats!</p> <p>As this is the last story on TM, she joins me in wishing you all a very happy Christmas, a wonderful 2018 and asked me to thank you for the lovely comments you’ve left during the year. Merry Christmas, everyone!</p> <p><em>This is the last piece in Robyn’s series on her 97-year-old mother (aka The Matriarch). Read part one <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/04/robyn-lee-on-her-97-year-old-mother/" target="_blank">here</a></strong></span>, part two <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/05/robyn-lee-on-the-matriarch-receives-a-pacemaker/" target="_blank">here</a></strong></span>, part three <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/06/most-shocking-things-my-mum-said/" target="_blank">here</a></strong></span>, part four <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/07/the-moments-my-97-year-old-mother-stunned-us-all/" target="_blank">here</a></strong></span>, part five <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/08/robyn-lee-the-matriarch-outrageous-parties/" target="_blank">here</a></span>,</strong> part six <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/09/robyn-lee-matriarch-learns-valuable-life-lesson/" target="_blank">here</a> </strong></span>and part seven <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/10/robyn-lee-the-matriarch-writes-a-letter/" target="_blank">here</a></strong></span>.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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10 pearls of wisdom to pass on to your grandchildren

<p>To live a life with no regrets it the ultimate goal, and sometimes, we wish we could go back in time and tell ourselves important information or life-changing advice. While sadly, that’s not possible, we can do the next best thing – pass our wisdom on to the next generations.</p> <p>Earlier this year, we posed a question to the Over60 community – if you could give your grandchildren one piece of advice to live by, what would it be? The response blew us away! Out of the hundreds of replies, here are a few of our favourites.</p> <p><strong>1. Stay in school</strong></p> <p>“Put a big effort into your schooling. So many things in life can be great if you have a good start, other things come from that. With the choices, you are able to make instead of others making them for you, all this will put you on the path to happiness later in life.” – Pamela Wicks.</p> <p><strong>2. Follow your heart</strong></p> <p>“Listen to your heart and follow the old saying, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!’” – Cheryl Ayers.</p> <p><strong>3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T</strong></p> <p>“Show respect to yourself, others, and to other people’s property. Treat other people how you would like to be treated. Bullies only need to bully other people because they don't feel as good.” – Margaret Longstaff Pomerenke.</p> <p><strong>4. Put family first</strong></p> <p>“Family is everything. There will be a lot of times when you might not see this yourself or understand it, but in the end, family is EVERYTHING!” – Felicity Weston.</p> <p><strong>5. Be adventurous</strong></p> <p>“Don't be afraid to try new things. It's okay to fail as long as you keep trying to succeed.” – Rosemary Griffin.</p> <p><strong>6. Learn from your mistakes</strong></p> <p>“We all make bad decisions – forgive yourself and learn and grow from them.” – Julie Walker.</p> <p><strong>7. Choose your friends wisely</strong></p> <p>“Surround yourself with positive people. Better to have one good friend who’s got your back than a heap who are only out for what they can use you for.” – Mary Palmer.</p> <p><strong>8. Watch what you say</strong></p> <p>“Choice your words carefully once they are out they can’t be taken back. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” – Elaine Olive.</p> <p><strong>9. Show compassion to the less fortunate</strong></p> <p>“Life’s path has a lot of puddles to jump. Always be kind to those stuck in the puddles.” – Gregory J. Kearney.</p> <p><strong>10. Focus on the big picture</strong></p> <p>“Don't stress the small stuff. Enjoy every day on Earth, time goes fast.” – Pam Saville.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what piece of advice would you offer to your grandchildren?</p>

Family & Pets

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Teaching grandkids about money through classic books

<p>Amazon, Fishpond, Mighty Ape and The Book Depository have dozens of books written specifically to teach your children about money.</p> <p>Many have the dull, syrupy feel of books designed to encourage kids to use the potty.</p> <p>But there is a rich vein of money wisdom in the classic children's books, which are far more engaging, especially for older children.</p> <p>In these books, money matters are central to the stories, but aren't the point of them.</p> <p>Despite their educational value, it's is not hard to see how some modern financial products could have saved a great deal of heartache for a great many famous fictional children.</p> <p><strong>Thrift and self-reliance</strong></p> <p>These are themes in many children's books.</p> <p>The Laura Ingalls Wilder series (including The Little House on the Prairie fascinate kids with their detailed descriptions of a life of careful thrift and make-do. They are the children's equivalent of the adult tale of self-reliance Robinson Crusoe. E Nesbit's The Railway Children and Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes also tell of children from hard-up families who still lead lives of interest and achievement.</p> <p>The children in these books play their part in keeping households afloat, both through self-denial, but also entrepreneurship and work.</p> <p>The English Civil War classic The Children of the New Forest also majors on the themes of children rising to the challenge. Thought eh girl characters are weak, the descriptions of the commercial transactions the children make to supply their needs after they are orphaned and left homeless do not bore young listeners, who are hungry for such detail.</p> <p><strong>Saving</strong></p> <p>In Ballet Shoes, Pauline Fossil, the eldest of three performing sisters, helps fund her nearly broke household afloat by acting in plays.</p> <p>A condition of her licence to perform is that a portion of her earnings are banked, and start amassing. Pauline would love to give contribute more to the household, and save less. It's a quandary that gets a good chewing over. It also provides a clear example of saving while limiting consumption.</p> <p>The children speak of learning to not want things they cannot have while money is tight, something many modern children have to learn.</p> <p><strong>Debt</strong></p> <p>Again, Ballet Shoes provides the best example. Debt may be a modern plague, but it is almost impossible to live without these days.</p> <p>The Fossil children borrow money from their boarder, Mr Simpson, to buy a dress to go to auditions in. The security for the loan are their necklaces- one of pearls, one of turquoise and one of coral- which are precious to them, if not particularly valuable.</p> <p>They sign a contract with Mr Simpson setting out the terms of the loan. A copy of the contract is even printed in some editions. The lesson: debt is for things that lead to greater prosperity, not luxuries.</p> <p><strong>Spending</strong></p> <p>When it comes to frivolous spending, Mr Toad of The Wind in the Willows is the go-to character. Toad's squandering of his family fortune on luxuries like caravans, boats and cars provides a shocking lesson.</p> <p>Capital is for investing and sustaining families in hard times. Toad's father knew that, and so does Mr Badger, who leaves Toad in no doubt of his opinion.</p> <p>Going to the opposite extreme of extreme meanness, there's no going past A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, though people who only know it from TV adaptations may be surprised at how much gets left out on screen.</p> <p><strong>Spotting a scam</strong></p> <p>Paddington Bear is a financially-minded bear, who's very careful with his pennies, but he does fall for a fake share scam in Paddington at Work. He buys shares in the Portobello Oil Company from a sharp operator who tells him there is oil under London's Portobello Road. The evidence is an oil stain on the road, which the scam-artist says is oil seeping up from below. All ends well, but Paddington, who visits the Stock Exchange, learns a valuable lesson.</p> <p><strong>Family trusts</strong></p> <p>Had Cinderella's father set up a trust before his unfortunate demise, the trustees could have kept the evil stepmother's covetous hands off the family wealth, and Cinderella wouldn't have needed a fairy godmother and prince to rescue her from poverty.</p> <p>A trust endowed by Captain Crewe with enough money to ensure Sara Crewe had a viable future would have resulted in The Little Princess being a quite different book. A great deal of ill-usage would have been avoided in Miss Mincham's boarding school for girls in London. After all, he was heading to India, and the chances of him not coming back were pretty high.</p> <p><strong>Life Insurance</strong></p> <p>How different the lives of many fictitious children would have been if their parents had life insurance. Take Roald Dahl's James Henry Trotter from James and the Giant Peach. When his parent improbably get eaten by a rhino at the zoo, James ends up miserably enslaved at his wicked aunts' house.</p> <p>Many children's books kick off with the deaths of parents. It's no wonder kids wonder  what would happen, if the same happened to theirs. Explain your life insurance to the kids, and see the relief on their faces.</p> <p><strong>Buying a quality home</strong></p> <p>There's only one children's book that goes to building quality; The Three Little Pigs. In a modern telling one of the three little pigs would have bought a home made from untreated timber and monolithic cladding.</p> <p>What’s your favourite book to read with your grandchildren?</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em> <strong>Related links:</strong></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2017/02/more-secrets-of-worlds-most-money-savvy-senior/">6 more secrets of the world’s most money savvy senior</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2017/01/4-things-you-must-do-if-your-bankcard-goes-missing/">4 things you must do if your bankcard goes missing</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2016/12/5-tips-for-a-successful-garage-sale/">5 tips for a successful garage sale</a></strong></em></span></p>

Money & Banking

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Most common thing people regret at end of life

<p>Nobody wants to look back on their life and have endless regrets. But it’s easy to get to the end of your life and realise that there are things that you wish you had done (or hadn’t done), and by then it’s too late. So how do you make positive changes now to avoid that happening?</p> <p>Ask yourself what you really want out of life. Most likely it will have to do with family, friends and happiness.</p> <p>So why do we spend so much time focusing on getting a better job, a bigger house, or obtaining more belongings? It’s because we focus on what we want in our life right now, instead of thinking of the bigger picture.</p> <p>Kids don’t care whether you had a big house or a fancy car, but they will remember the time you spent with them playing in the backyard or kicking a ball down at the beach.</p> <p>Think about the goals that you have for your life, and then work backwards to decide what you need to be doing now to make them happen. Make a specific action plan to help you achieve your goals.</p> <p>You might even find some surprising insights such as “I want to work less hours” or “I want to stop spending time with people who don’t make me feel good.”</p> <p>When you ask yourself why you want to achieve these goals it can also increase your motivation. For instance you might decide that you would like to start a new tradition of an annual camping holiday with friends. The reasons could be to spend time away from technology, reconnect with old friends, and to be close to nature. Surely those reasons would give you a push to start making it happen.</p> <p>What would be your biggest regret now if you were to have one day left to live? Tell us about it in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/09/crying-can-be-good-for-you/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Having a big cry can actually be good for you</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/09/10-steps-to-build-your-confidence/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 steps to build your confidence</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/09/5-scientific-ways-to-make-your-brain-happy/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 scientific ways to make your brain happy</span></em></strong></a></p>

Mind

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12 inspiring quotes from 98-year-old yoga expert

<p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/06/over-60s-fitness-gurus/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Earlier this year</span></strong></a>, we introduced you to then-97-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch, the French-Indian yogi who took the world by storm after earning the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest yoga instructor and even enjoying a stint on <em>America’s Got Talent</em>.</p> <p>Described by ABC World News as the “real-life Forrest Gump”, Porchon-Lynch has met countless significant historical figures over her almost 80-year-long dancing, acting and modelling career, including Mahatma Gandhi, General Charles de Gaulle, Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Clark Gable and countless others.</p> <p>She took up yoga in the 60s and fell in love with its benefits for the mind, body and soul, becoming one of the world’s foremost experts.</p> <p>So, it’s safe to say she’s had her fair share of life experiences. Here are some of her best pieces of wisdom. We hope they’ll inspire you to never let age stop you from doing what you want in life.</p> <ol> <li>“When I wake up in the morning, I know that it’s going to be the best day of my life. I never think about what I can’t do. Make sure positive thoughts are the first ones you think in the morning. And never procrastinate.”</li> <li>“Leave your yawns behind you and feel the tiny new breeze of life lighting up inside of you.”</li> <li>“I watch the beauty of nature. It is telling me that even the trees get more beautiful as they age.”</li> <li>“Pack into your mind and body the sound of the music of your heart. Don’t let it prevent you from wasting time experiencing the wonders of life.”</li> <li>“One-hundred-year-old trees still recycle themselves and come out with new flowers. Recycle yourself. Know that nature gives you the clues to living.”</li> <li>“I never thought anything about age. I believed sincerely and still do, that there’s nothing I cannot do. I believe that all the power in the universe is right inside me.”</li> <li>“Autumn is a reminder that while the leaves die and fall, there will always be Spring, a change to replenish and be born again. We all have the opportunity to replenish ourselves, to be reborn.”</li> <li>“In my head I’m still in my 20s, and I have no intention over ever growing up.”</li> <li>“I never say goodbye, I say, ‘au revoir.’ Goodbye is so final. ‘Au revoir’ means I will see you again.”</li> <li>“There is nothing we cannot do if we harness the power within.”</li> <li>“I’ve learned that if you face trials head on, you can find more strength. Don’t run away from what looks like a challenge. It may be an important part of your path. You have to be persistent and follow what you believe.”</li> <li>“Breath is the power behind all things… I breathe in and know that good things will happen.”</li> </ol> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what quote do you live your life by?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/09/is-it-ever-too-late-to-get-healthy/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Is it ever too late to get healthy?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/break-out-of-your-comfort-zone-in-retirement/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Why everyone should break out of their comfort zone in retirement</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/07/yazemeenah-rossi-60-year-old-model/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Meet the 60-year-old model disrupting ageing</strong></em></span></a></p>

Retirement Life

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The best piece of wisdom I’ve heard in my life

<p><strong><em>Jim Selman, a 70-something-year-old guy, is determined not to let the cultural conversation of what it means to grow older and what is and isn’t possible as we age define the rest of his life.</em></strong></p> <p>Over the course of my lifetime, I have heard many ‘bottom-line’ bits of wisdom. For example, “the key to happiness is loving what you do”.  Or, “at the end of the day, you can either resist life or surrender and live life on life’s terms”. These kinds of nuggets are usually true and are certainly valid in a list of maxims and aphorisms for living. “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum is a great example of this genre. My favourite (and the one that I have personally found the most useful) is one I first heard in the 1970s in something called the ‘est training’. The ultimate choice we have as human beings, we were told, is whether we are ‘at the effect’ of our circumstances or whether we can relate to them ‘at cause’, meaning be responsible for everything in our lives.</p> <p>Over the years, I’ve found this to be the case. Today I would say it a bit differently – I have a choice about whether my experience and behaviour is a ‘reaction’ to whatever is going on or whether I take action as an expression of my vision and commitments in the moment. Am I the actor or the ‘re-actor’?  To even be aware that we have the choice to act or react seems to me to be the foundation for mastery of anything.</p> <p>In my work, I define three relationships as constituting our lives and our experience of life. These are: 1. Our relationship with our self and other people, 2. Our relationship with our circumstances, and 3. Our relationship with time. I have learned that whenever things are not going well in my life (or when I am stopped or frustrated or not having the results I want) that both the problem and the solution is in one of these three areas. </p> <p>For example, when I am having issues in a relationship with someone, I almost always have the view that someone (myself or the other person) is wrong and I need to say or do something to make it right. I am ‘at the effect’ of whatever I perceive is wrong and doing my best to fix it. If I have learned one thing in my life, it is that people are not broken and don’t need to be fixed and, in fact, the more I try to fix them the more they (or I) will resist. As the saying goes, “we get what we resist”.</p> <p>By the same token, when I am able to accept people as they are – just love them as they are without the need to change them – the more open they are to listen to my point of view or see what I am trying to show them.  If what I am seeing is relevant and useful for them, they have a choice and can, more often than not, learn or change something.</p> <p>It seems to me this kind of acceptance, combined with a commitment to offer something of value, while giving others a choice is the essence of mastery. When I am no longer ‘at the effect’ of myself and others, my circumstances or time, I have mastery over my ‘way of being in the world’ which is the foundation for expressing myself in whatever areas of life are of interest and important to me. It is also true that I need some talent and competency. But without mastery of my ‘self’ – my way of being in the world – all the talent, skill and success in the world won’t lead to satisfaction and the mastery to change and contribute to the lives of others.</p> <p>What words of wisdom have stuck with you throughout your life? Share with us in the comments below.</p> <p>To read more from Jim’s blog, visit his website <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.sereneambition.com/" target="_blank">Serene Ambition here.</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><em>If you have an opinion to share please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a rel="noopener" href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/how-to-stop-dwelling-on-negative/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why we dwell on the negative and how to stop</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/secret-to-quieting-a-frazzled-mind/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The secret to quieting a frazzled mind</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/benefits-of-believing-in-yourself/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 wonderful things that happen when you start to believe in yourself</span></strong></em></a></p>

Mind

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I became an author at 64

<p><em><strong>Pat Simmons, 69, is a writer of poems, short stories, flash fiction and articles. Her work has been published in anthologies and children’s magazines and she has won writer competitions in Australia and the UK.</strong></em></p> <p>I’ve always loved writing but it wasn’t until my 64th year that I decided to start taking myself seriously as a writer. I suppose the main reason I hadn’t pursued writing before, like many people, was that it was essential to earn a living and be in stable employment. Raising our beautiful children the best way we knew how, having a roof over our heads, and paying our bills were essentials for my husband and myself. I always wrote little bits and pieces and kept the dream alive.</p> <p>But in 2010, I felt the time was right. One of the things I love about growing older is that I don’t worry too much about what other people think and, to use an old cliché, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. I think my late husband would’ve been disappointed in me if I hadn’t created a new life for myself after he passed away and I would’ve been disappointed in myself.</p> <p>So I knew I really wanted to write for children, but I had no idea how to get started. At the time, I was still working full time running a large out of school hours’ care centre. Fortunately for me, one of the “mums” whose children were in my care, had a similar ambition and we started chatting about our passion one day. She introduced me to a wonderful online newsletter called <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Buzz Words</a></strong></span>. Buzz Words contains details of upcoming events, writing opportunities, competitions, author interviews and much more. It is a great resource for those who want to write for children. She and I have remained close friends and she is now a successful writer and also runs a wonderful website called <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/" target="_blank">Creative Kids Tales</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Entering competitions seemed like a great way to get started. Competitions have strict guidelines, they often have a theme, a word count and a closing date. Just the discipline I needed! I love writing poetry so I began entering poetry competitions. I couldn’t believe my luck when I won a UK competition and my poem appeared in an anthology and the book cover was designed around my poem.</p> <p>This gave me confidence and I started to attend writers’ festivals and events. I also joined the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Writer events such as conferences and festivals are wonderful, as well-known authors and illustrators share their knowledge and their journeys to publication which is always inspirational and motivational.</p> <p>As well as writing short stories and poetry for children, I also write flash fiction for adults and belong to a 52 Week Flash Fiction Challenge on Facebook. And I love writing for the Over60 website!</p> <p>Since my retirement in 2013 I’ve also joined a writers’ group. We meet fortnightly to critique each other’s work and chat of course!</p> <p>This year a dream came true for me when a picture book text I submitted was accepted for publication in 2017.</p> <p>Six years on, I feel very “grown up” as I now have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.patsimmonswriter.com.au/" target="_blank">my very own website</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Remember, it’s never too late to change or take on new challenges. I doubt that I’ll ever be a famous author but do I care? No! Ok I probably won’t take up sumo wrestling or kickboxing either but they’re not my thing! We live in a country where there are so many opportunities for all of us. Let’s make the best of them.</p> <p>It’s never too late to follow your passion. Enjoy the journey.</p> <p>Have you chased a dream later in life? Share your experience in the comments below. </p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/my-new-life-as-a-homeless-yet-happy-house-and-pet-sitter/">My new life as a homeless-yet-happy house and pet sitter</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/the-joys-of-living-in-a-tiny-home/">The joys of living in a tiny home</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/3-questions-to-ask-before-coming-out-of-retirement/">3 questions to ask before coming out of retirement</a></strong></em></span></p>

Retirement Life

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21 lessons I learnt from my grandmother

<p><strong><em>Dr Carmen Harra is a best-selling author, clinical psychologist, and relationship expert.</em></strong></p> <p>Wisdom is perhaps the scarcest resource in our world today. And while Google has become our answer to every inquiry, back in the Old World, Grandma was that fountain of wisdom to whom we’d pour forth our every problem.</p> <p>My own grandmother lived to be 103. While not particularly educated or sophisticated, Mama de la Mintiu – as we called her, Romanian for “mother from Mintiu village” – seemed to guard an elixir of wisdom in her throat. She spoke only when necessary, but her seldom words were guaranteed to resonate great truth.</p> <p>We all have a “grandma” tale to tell, and chances are our grandmothers’ life truths overlap. That’s because wisdom is a universal language far superior to discordant knowledge. I’ve committed my grandmother’s invaluable wisdoms to memory and recall them whenever faced with uneasy decisions. These quick, practical proverbs have helped me resurface from turbulent times. It’s amazing how a few simple words which we believe with conviction can enrich us with an incredible power to act and an unimaginable strength to recover.</p> <p>Take a few minutes out of your day to contemplate these 21 profound truths. They can get you back on track, guide you towards the right choices and simplify your everyday life:</p> <p><strong>Silence is golden.</strong> Sometimes it’s not necessary to retaliate with words. Silence is the speech of the soul. Understand that, in many situations, you are better off practicing silence than harsh speech which may further fuel negativity.</p> <p><strong>Respect yourself and others will respect you. </strong>You will be treated by others in the same ways you treat yourself. Be mindful of the manner in which you carry yourself and present yourself to others. Command respect from those around you through your actions.</p> <p><strong>Don’t become too attached to the material world.</strong> This is difficult to do, granted, but it’s a lesson we all learn sooner or later. We frequently see celebrities go from billions to zero, and this should serve as a reminder never to hold material wealth too close to our hearts.</p> <p><strong>If you climb too high, you will suffer a great fall.</strong> Living in a society which takes everything to the extreme, it seems we’ve lost the essence of moderation. Practice a humble harmony in all that you do, from controlling your emotions to balancing your behaviours, from grounding your finances to solidifying your relationships. Moderation is key.</p> <p><strong>Life is algebra.</strong> I was taught over and over again that life comes with pluses and minuses, a constant flux of highs and lows. The most critical lesson to learn from this truth is that out of difficulties do come miracles.</p> <p><strong>Tolerate others. </strong>People will always be, well, people. They will make mistakes and even do things to make us shake our head in disbelief. But remember, you never know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Don’t take the actions of others too seriously or personally. Tolerate a person as they are and inspire them to improve by improving yourself.</p> <p><strong>You will reap the seeds you sow.</strong> Take responsibility for your deeds, both good and bad. The thoughts, intentions, and actions you plant today will always have consequences in the future.</p> <p><strong>Forgive your enemies. </strong>One of the greatest signs of strength and resilience is forgiveness. This is because when you forgive, you detach – from the pain, bitterness or anger associated with past experiences. Forgive those who have hurt you, even if it’s the last thing you want to do. You will feel a liberating energy, as if you’ve broken free of something holding you back.</p> <p><strong>Never surrender.</strong> If there’s one tidbit of wisdom my grandmother drilled into my mind, it’s the notion of being strong. Never give in or give up, even if your efforts aren’t manifesting. Opposition is often a sign to re-evaluate your approach, but never an indication to quit.</p> <p><strong>You must evolve.</strong> The number one law of life is evolution. Everything in the universe progresses and changes with time, and anything which remains stagnant dies out. You, too, must evolve into a better version of yourself, little by little, growing and expanding each day.</p> <p><strong>Honour your family.</strong> Good or bad, normal or dysfunctional, you were born into your family for a reason. Your family members teach you critical life lessons. Accept your family for what it is and embrace the people you call parents and siblings, children and cousins, spouses and in-laws, flaws and all.</p> <p><strong>Think before you act. </strong>If we thought before we acted, there would be much less mistake-making. But often our emotions get the best of us, and we react on a whim which we later regret. Even when you’re emotionally charged, take a deep breath and rationalise your situation before proceeding forward.</p> <p><strong>Inspire and serve.</strong> Live as an inspiration for others. See your duty on earth as one of teaching, expanding, and sharing your talents with the world. You were given gifts beyond your imagination, and understanding this can help you live up to your potential.</p> <p><strong>Build your foundation.</strong> A house cannot stand unless its foundation is well-grounded. Similarly, you must ensure your building blocks are firmly in place. In terms of business, family or personal life, always secure your anchors before building upward.</p> <p><strong>Believe in the unexpected.</strong> Just when you think you’ve got something figured out, something totally unexpected happens and you’re left scratching your head. But this is the beauty of life. Have faith that there is a greater reason behind everything and that you will know this reason in time.</p> <p><strong>Never envy another’s success.</strong> Being envious of someone else’s success entails that you’re comparing yourself to them. In reality, you’re as unique as your fingerprint and should never measure yourself against anyone else. Strive for excellence, not perfection.</p> <p><strong>Be a person of your word. </strong>At the end of the day, your word is all you have. Make it honest and reliable. Your word becomes your guarantee to your integrity.</p> <p><strong>Give generously, take sparingly. </strong>Give with an unselfish heart but take with a cautious hand. Pride yourself on being your own provider. Never take what isn’t yours or exploit a person for what they have.</p> <p><strong>Don’t take shortcuts.</strong> Work done right is work done right. There’s no way around it. Nothing beats performing your work correctly. It’s much easier to get something done the easy way, but much more rewarding to do it the right way.</p> <p><strong>Stand up for yourself.</strong> Do not allow others to affect your well-being. If you feel someone has wronged you, don’t keep quiet. Stand up for your value and defend your self-worth in a non-violent but firm way.</p> <p><strong>Everything comes full circle.</strong> Nothing begins which doesn’t end, and life moves in perpetual cycles: the same situations, circumstances, and challenges occur over and over again. But each time they return, you are equipped with more experience than before.<br /> <br /> A deep-rooted sense of wisdom can endow you with inspiration, tranquillity and a way forward. Consider adopting some of my family’s wise words into your everyday life for a bit of extra guidance. They are given to you with love.</p> <p>What words of wisdom would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>To find more information about Dr Carmen Harra, visit her <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.carmenharra.com/" target="_blank">website here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/expert-tips-for-connecting-with-your-grandchildren/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 expert tips for connecting with your grandchildren</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/things-i-am-saving-to-leave-behind-to-my-grandson/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 treasures I’m saving to leave behind to my grandson</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/my-96-year-old-mum-is-the-funniest-person-i-know/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My 96-year-old mum is the funniest person I know</span></strong></em></a></p>

Family & Pets

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7 cultures that celebrate the elderly

<p>Remember when you were a kid and your parents (or possibly a cheeky older sibling) would remind you to “respect your elders”? Sadly, it doesn’t seem like the concept has caught on too well these days. We could certainly learn a thing or two from these 7 cultures that celebrate ageing and venerate those who have years of experience and wisdom to offer.</p> <p><strong>1. Greece</strong></p> <p>Today, you may hear the term “old man” being thrown around like an insult, but in the Greek language, “Geronda” is used as a term of endearment towards abbots (and “Gerondissa” for abbesses). It’s a way of honouring their age and showing respect.</p> <p><strong>2. Native Americans</strong></p> <p>Native Americans are brought up never to fear death, but rather to accept it as just another part of life. In most tribal communities which still exist around North America, the elderly are revered for their wisdom and life experiences, which they are expected to hand down to the next generation.</p> <p><strong>3. Korea</strong></p> <p>Like the Chinese, Koreans often turn to the wisdom of Confucius when it comes to celebrating age. Younger members of the family are relied on to provide care to not only their elderly parents and grandparents, but all elderly people. 60th and 70th birthdays are also hugely important milestones in Korea, and are often celebrated with big parties.</p> <p><strong>4. China</strong></p> <p>The Chinese believe in the tradition of “filial piety” – the Confucian concept of holding elders in high esteem. In China, respect for one’s parents is considered to be one of the most important virtues, and adult children are expected to look after their parents as they get older. In fact, placing one’s parents in a retirement home is seen as the ultimate insult.</p> <p><strong>5. India</strong></p> <p>In India, the eldest members are the heads of the family. Mutual support between all generations is a given, and grandparents are hugely instrumental in shaping the lives of their grandchildren. Like in China, placing your Indian parents in a retirement home is believed to be incredibly disrespectful.</p> <p><strong>6. African Americans</strong></p> <p>In a similar way to Native Americans, African Americans are taught to see death as a fact of life and not something to be feared. Most African American funerals, while sombre, are also extremely life-affirming and celebratory of life itself.</p> <p><strong>7. Ancient Rome</strong></p> <p>Given that Ancient Romans rarely lived beyond the age of 25, those who managed to live into their 60s and beyond were highly esteemed for having wisdom and experience that few at the time could hope for. In the words of Cicero, who lived to 63, “there is assuredly nothing dearer to a man than wisdom, and though age takes away all else, it undoubtedly brings us that.”</p> <p>How do you think we can encourage today’s youth to pay their elders with more respect? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/caring/2016/06/90-year-old-beautiful-birthday-speech-reflecting-on-her-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>90-year-old’s beautiful birthday speech reflecting on her life</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/caring/2016/06/poem-highlights-the-beauty-of-ageing/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Poem highlights the beauty of ageing</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/caring/2016/06/18-great-quotes-about-ageing/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>18 great quotes about ageing</strong></em></span></a></p>

Caring

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I am 87 years old and dying so I’m making videos about my life

<p><em><strong>Kevin McNamara is a life coach, author and founder of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.getoutofyourcomfortzone.com/" target="_blank">Get Out Your Comfort Zone</a></span>, where he inspires people each day to get out of their comfort zones. He is also the creator, producer and co-star of Driving Miss Ivy.</strong></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The life of Ivy</span></p> <p>My mum, Eileen McNamara, (affectionately known as Ivy) was born in London on 29th May, 1929. She worked as a bus conductor on the London double-decker buses where she met dad.</p> <p>In 1962 mum, dad, my two brothers and older sister, set sail to Australia from Southampton. It was tough for mum leaving her family but dad was someone who liked a challenge and had no hesitation in heading to a country he knew very little about.</p> <p>Mum was sea sick most of the way and then on arriving in Australia was blown away by the heat! Not a fun time in the beginning for mum whereas us kids loved the beaches and the heat and the fun!</p> <p>We spent most of our lives living in Melbourne, Victoria. Soon the family had grown to seven children. A good Catholic family!</p> <p><img width="417" height="333" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xla1/v/t1.0-9/13254214_188854521513869_7001616461889895058_n.jpg?oh=3a12f0cd7622c3bfdd8f1ad302067ef0&amp;oe=57F82F33&amp;__gda__=1474901918_f52599b5203e4904d0b97e0c160dc9e2" class="spotlight" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ivy at 18 months.</em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Miss Ivy moves to Queensland</span></p> <p>Around 25 years ago mum upped stumps and moved to sunny Queensland. Dad and mum had divorced a few years earlier and she was looking for a new challenge. She had grown to love the heat and the fact that my elder sister, Linda, and one of my younger brothers, Andrew, had just moved there fuelled her move north.</p> <p>I had spent 20 years in the Police Force down in Melbourne before moving to the Gold Coast with my partner back in 2011. A transfer in my job led me to Cairns until 2016 when I moved back down to the Gold Coast.</p> <p>The reason for the move back had a lot to do with mum. She had sadly been diagnosed with inoperable cancer in late 2015 and was living in an aged care facility in Tweed Heads South.</p> <p>My partner Joy and I had moved to Coolangatta, because one, I would be closer to mum and see a lot more of her and two, Coolangatta is a beautiful place and we both love the ocean.</p> <p>In late 2015 I had actually recorded some videos of mum where I would ask her questions about her life as a keepsake for years to come. This is where the seed of Driving Miss Ivy came from</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Driving Miss Ivy is born</span></p> <p>When I moved back to the Gold Coast I thought how could I make some more memories of mum? I started taking mum out for morning tea every Wednesday and on about the second of our Wednesdays I just pulled the car over and started doing a “Mum’s Pearl’s of Wisdom” video. I just started recording and asking questions and then put it on Facebook.</p> <p>It has since morphed into Driving Miss Ivy with her own Facebook page. We even have a Q&amp;A session now where mum answers viewer’s questions. She really does inspire so many people!</p> <p>Driving Miss Ivy is about having fun and inspiring others. Seeing mum doing this stuff at 87 can’t help but inspire you.</p> <p>Family and friends absolutely love watching the episodes! They can’t wait for each Wednesday when I download the day’s episode on Facebook. Mum doesn’t quite understand all the fuss but she loves talking in front of the camera now and saying hi to everyone. She has put on weight and seems more alert and alive than ever.</p> <p><img width="431" height="563" src="https://scontent-sit4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13346892_196511824081472_7163364690475321819_n.jpg?oh=c05e8f08c3b995d897e0dcb198839101&amp;oe=582F134D" class="spotlight" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ivy recently celebrated her 87th birthday. Here she is with a birthday card from her sister Betty, and family, in the UK. </em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The memories will live on</span></p> <p>I think having a lasting memory of our loved ones is so important as we can quickly forget little quirks and foibles about them, plus, we can have our own little keepsake of what made us laugh and what made us cry. Photos are great but with video it is even easier these days to create memories that are unforgettable.</p> <p>I don’t know how long mum will be with us but I intend making the most of everyday we have with her. Driving Miss Ivy will be a lasting memory for all her family and friends to cherish.</p> <p><em><strong>Find more of Ivy's inspirational videos at Driving Miss Ivy on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/drivingmissivy/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</span> <br /></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/reflections-on-grandparenthood-from-a-new-grandparent/">My Tuesdays with Lewis: reflections from a new grandparent</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/how-gardening-kept-my-father-young/">How gardening kept my father young</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/my-grandmas-dementia-diagnosis-led-me-to-create-heirloom-films/">I made a movie about my grandmother who has dementia</a></strong></em></span></p>

Family & Pets

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4 pearls of winter wisdom for pet owners

<p>Pets are like humans in that they prefer comfort to discomfort. Which means that during the cold part of the year, they seek out warmth, which means they stay indoors more of the time.</p> <p>On the theme of winter wisdom, I had a chat the other day to Aaron Waters, country manager for the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.petstock.co.nz/" target="_blank">PETstock</a></strong></span> store chain. We talked about some of the concerns that winter throws up for any pet owner, and some myths to do with winter.</p> <p>For example, he says it's a myth that pets don't get fleas in winter. "You might not see them, but they're still there. It's important that you keep treating your pets right through winter so it doesn't become a problem."</p> <p><strong>He had some solid suggestions relating to winter for any pet owner: </strong></p> <p>1. Don't skimp on water for your pets - they still need to be hydrated even if it's not hot.</p> <p>2. Keep your pet at a healthy weight during winter - exercise your dog and keep all your pets on a high-quality diet.</p> <p>3. If your pet comes in wet from the rain, help dry it off. It's no good for its health to lie around with wet fur.</p> <p>4. Keep an eye out for behaviour changes that you might otherwise put down to it being winter. It's a myth, he says, that cats sleep more in winter; if your cat is sleeping noticeably longer, get a vet check because the cat may be unwell or struggling to keep itself warm. And if your pet is moving around slowly on cold mornings, then have a vet check it for arthritis. Aaron says treatment needn't be costly - the pet might just need softer bedding and a joint supplement.</p> <p>All of it is good pet-wisdom, because winter does bring some risks for pets and their human companions. However, winter also brings one of the all-time best pet experiences – peak snuggle time.</p> <p>How do you five your pet extra love and care in winter? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Nick Barnett, first appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/do-our-pets-dream/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Do our pets dream?</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/what-different-cat-meows-mean/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Understanding your cat’s meow</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/special-bond-between-senior-dogs-and-their-owners/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Images capture special bond between senior dogs and their owners</span></em></strong></a></p>

Family & Pets