Random Thoughts

You know, when I hear about people being bored, I just don't get it.
When I hear about people just wanting to sit around and watch TV, I just don't get it.
I am busier than I have ever been in my life and I love every minute of it.

Now, some of you might be thinking: "Well, I don't have money to do things or I don't have time or there's nothing happening where I live." Phooey. Filling your life with things that fulfill you doesn't have to cost money, take a lot of time AND you can always find those things.... if not in your town, then nearby.

Begin to ask yourself the question: What do I really love to do? What makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

For me, unless I'm traveling to speak someplace, I spend most of my days indoors, in my apartment ... working. I have coaching calls with clients, I am writing proposals, contracts, and completing my next book. So, yes, I work all day too. But, by night time, I'm raring to get up and out and to do things.
Take this week. Monday night I went to a class -- part of a 10-week seminar I'm taking called Creating Happiness. I look forward to every Monday night. Tuesday night, I went to see Damn Yankees (the play) with my friend Susan. Wednesday night, I went to a little club in the Village to hear poetry (it cost only $7.00) and was awesome. Tonight, for $15.00 I'm going to hear Jazz and Folk music at a local museum. My nights are full.

Of course, tomorrow night I'll probably crash and I'll be getting ready to fly out Saturday morning ... but who knows, I might still find something to do.
Yes, I live in NYC .. where there is always something happening.

I do other things. I do volunteer work with teenagers, I mentor some folks on their business (gratis.... through my professional association)

The point is this: Being active and engaging in activities that fulfill you energize you, keep you young and happy. It's a no-brainer. And speaking of brain .. it'll keep yours working!

Just some thoughts on boomers aging for fulfillment and fun ... on this Thursday afternoon.
Have a great weekend.
Ann

The Value of Giving

This morning I went to a special tribute for Martin Luther King. It was a tribute by teenagers in a performing group. It's part of a city-wide program that engages disadvantaged youth in performance art... and much more. I've signed on to do some volunteer work with them.

The kids poured their heart into reading poetry, dancing, singing acting and overall paying homage to this great man. It was so appropriate for me to go there today. There are people that have lived in our lifetime, from whom we have much to learn. They gave their lives (sometimes literally, as in this case) for what they believed in. They went beyond their personal concerns and lived to be of assistance to others.

It called me back to the boomer roots of "giving back" and making a difference.

When I moved to NY two years ago, I realized that there are things I'm called to do AND I might not even know yet what they are. One of them, I do know, is to volunteer with some group that moves me. Well, I've found it. I'll be starting an orientation next week to work in leadership development with these kids. It will take all my experience -- my social work background, my organizational development work, my speaking abilities and channeling it into working with the youth. I'm so excited.

Point: What moves you? Where in the world can you do something to make a difference? Who needs you?

I have so many things I believe in and want to be involved with. There are things calling me day and night AND, if I didn't need to sleep, I could well be busy all the time. My days are full, many of my nights are full. Some of the "full" means doing frivolous stuff -- going to movies, eating out. Other things are business-related -- networking, going to all the "right" places, etc.

What's been missing, though, with all the busyness is... doing for others ... just because.

Last night, I went to see a silly movie. It was called Mad Money. Diane Keaton, a fav boomer, was the lead. She steals money from the  World Bank or something like that. The reason she steals is because: her husband got laid off, they couldn't afford their house payment or health insurance, they had a kid in college. Her husband feared that he wouldn't find another job -- because of HIS AGE. Yup, it's starting -- the age discrimination of US... the boomers. Yuck.

You might wonder -- why is she telling me this. Well, it's because I'm also passionate about ending age discrimination. It's all around me/us.  I'm about representing to the world that boomers are young, vibrant, passionate, capable. Now, we must prove it. Keep on doing and being who we are. Our spirit of giving can truly end the war, end hunger, end discrimination -- if we put our minds to it.

Point:  What will you do this year to make a difference for others? What causes will you throw your hat over the fence for? You probably already donate money. Yes, that helps. But, it's not going to give you the feeling of reeeallly doing something incredible. What will you do?

Sorry to pontificate. If you want to sit on the couch and watch TV .. then, by all means, do so. But, if you get a little bored and want something more meaningful .. there are things to help with out there that have your name on them. I hope you go for it.

For me, I'm gathering tonight with 4 other professional women to create a MasterMind group to grow our businesses. I can't wait.

Today was a great day. I saw kids perform, I got hired for three new speaking engagements. Wow!

Have a wonderful rest of day.

Happy Giving to Others!!!

Ann