I came across this in my Facebook feed. I don’t usually take the time to watch longer videos, but this one is important. We all have gifts to make the world better. Don’t regret not using yours. Please take the time to watch this and really think about whether your gifts are being wasted and what you need to do–right now–to stop that. Let me know what conclusion you come to by commenting below. Enjoy!  https://www.facebook.com/omeletocom/videos/10154295811209494/

One of my favorite things to do is listen to music. And one of my favorite parts of music is the lyrics. Most lyrics tell a story. I have different playlists on my iPod and on Spotify that I play depending on my mood. One of my favorites is my “Motivation” playlist. I play it sometimes when I feel particularly beaten up by life, when I feel like I’m pedaling hard and not getting anywhere, or when I don’t feel like I’m making a difference in anything I’m doing at that moment. So here are some of my favorites from that playlist and why I particularly like them:

1. Unstoppable by Sia. I’m becoming a fan of Sia’s and have ended up with several songs by her or with her. This one reminds me that being unstoppable is up to me.

I’m unstoppable
I’m a Porsche with no brakes
I’m invincible
Yeah, I win every single game
I’m so powerful
I don’t need batteries to play
I’m so confident, yeah, I’m unstoppable today

2. Roar by Katy Perry. This is truly a power ballad–a kicking ass and taking names song. Some of my favorite lyrics:

Now I’m floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero

3. Shine by Ashanti. This I heard first on a Biggest Loser episode when she showed up at the Ranch and sang it to the contestants and it really has a great message. Don’t let others dim your light!

Shine, they can’t shut out your light, no matter how hard they try
They try, but they never can win, cause they can’t stop what’s inside
They’ll try to take you, try to break you down, remember you are born to shine

4. What are You Waiting For? by Nickelback. I’ve been a Nickelback fan for a while, but hadn’t heard this song until I was driving home from a meeting about losing weight and getting healthy. It was what I needed at the moment and the message was spot on. Lyrics I love:

Everybody’s gonna make mistakes
But everybody’s got a choice to make
Everybody needs a leap of faith
When are you taking yours?

5. Try by Colbie Caillat. My granddaughter and I were listening to this song this past weekend and discussing what it means to her. Her explanation was pretty simple–you don’t need to wear makeup if you don’t want to–but I explained to her that you don’t need to change yourself to make someone like you. It took me a long time to figure this out, so hopefully she listened.

Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you’re all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?

6. Secrets by Mary Lambert. I don’t remember where I first heard this song, but it struck me the first time I heard it and even more when I listened to the lyrics. My favorite part:

They tell us from the time we’re young
To hide the things that we don’t like about ourselves
Inside ourselves
I know I’m not the only one who spent so long attempting to be someone else
Well I’m over it

7. Life is Good by Jo Dee Messina. This one warms my heart. It makes me think about all the things in my life that are good. These lyrics really hit me:

We spend so much time climbing up the ladder
And then we’re missing all the things that really matter

8. Masterpiece by Jessie J. This is truth. Even at my age, I am still working on me–my masterpiece. Lyrics that specifically speak to me:

I still fall on my face sometimes
And I can’t color inside the lines
Cause I’m perfectly incomplete
I’m still working on my masterpiece
And I, I wanna hang with the greatest
Got a way to go, but it’s worth the wait
No, you haven’t seen the best of me
I’m still working on my masterpiece

9. I Was Here by Beyonce. I actually first heard the Glee version of this song (yes I am a Gleek and miss the show!), and this is my goal. I want to leave something so people know I was here. I don’t want to just live and die and no one but my family even realizes I was here on this Earth making a difference.

I want to say I lived each day, until I die
And know that I meant something in somebody’s life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see

I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I’ve done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know

10. For Good from “Wicked.” This song is my anthem to my friends and says it all:

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good…

11. You Are More. I don’t remember where I heard this one first, but it is what I wish for all my children and grandchildren as they become adults.

You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.

12. Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. I’m a big Tim McGraw fan. I have most of his albums and have seen him in concert at least twice. A lot of his songs have a great message (Live Like You Were Dying still makes me cry!), but one of his latest just has a good message.

Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

13. Happy by Pharrell Williams. I just can’t listen to this song and not feel happy.

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

14. Brave by Sara Bareilles. This is probably my personal power anthem. This song reminds me how important words are and that I should say what I need to say instead of keeping it all bottled up inside.

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
And they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

15. The Breath You Take by George Strait. This one gets me every time and helps me remember to slow down and be present in my family’s life and live for the moments that take my breath away.

But life’s not the breath you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what its all about
You just might miss the point
Trying to win the race
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

Well that’s a start with part of my current “Motivation” playlist. I’ve tried to add a Spotify Motivation playlist here (so hopefully it will work!). If you haven’t heard some of the songs I mention, give them a listen. Then, let me know what song lyrics motivate you! I’d love to add them to my playlist too.

I feel like I’m a lifetime dieter. Well, maybe not lifetime, but certainly over half a lifetime! One thing I have discovered in my many ups and downs–because I am definitely the QUEEN of Yoyo Dieting–is that while it is important to eat healthfully, watch calories, and not binge, it is equally important to not deprive yourself of things you really want. I know if I tell myself I CAN’T have something, it makes me want it more (I think my inner child Lucy is very, very stubborn!). If, instead, I have just a bite of what I want (and push far, far away or destroy what remains), I am usually satisfied. Otherwise, I finish my entire meal and then go home and start digging for something more–all trying to quash the craving.

So sharing desserts with family and friends is the perfect solution–as long as they will eat more than you. Usually taking a single bite, putting your fork down, concentrating on enjoying the flavors on your tongue of that bite, and being conscious of the joy from that bite will satisfy you. But you need to concentrate on that one bite and not eat mindlessly. Savor that one sweet bite!

Desserts are important to end the meal on a sweet note, but it is not imperative that you eat an additional 1,000 calories of sweet. If you’re trying to lose weight or eat more healthfully, try the one sweet bite. If you’re not trying to lose weight or eat healthfully, then come with me and eat the rest of mine!

Now that there are fewer than 30 days until the “big day,” it’s all getting real. Somehow I will soon be 60. And, honestly, a lot could happen in the next 30 days. You never know when the last time you see a loved one will be. So why are we so negligent in expressing our love and appreciation?

It always strikes me when someone dies that their Facebook page is full of expressions of how much their family and friends loved them. Why don’t we tell them now? Why don’t we tell them while they are alive to hear it?

I’m getting better about it, but still struggle with expressing to all of the people who have had an impact on my life, how much of an impact they had. And I like to think I have impacted the lives of others throughout my life. It is always nice to hear that we’ve done something good for someone else.

In fact, when people HAVE taken the time to tell me that I’ve had an impact in their life, I’m usually surprised. I have no idea that in going along my way, I did or said something that they needed at that moment that they remember and take the time to thank me for. Those moments are priceless and tend to entice me to continue doing what I do, showing interest in teaching others, and just being kind.

Just this week, I received an email from a reader of my proofreading blog about how much they appreciated it and were entertained and educated by it. That simple act made a huge difference! Sometimes you feel like whatever it is you are doing–writing, training, mentoring–isn’t making an impact on anyone and you are just basically wearing yourself out without anyone noticing. It just takes a couple of people taking time from their schedule to let you know they appreciate you to make it worth continuing what you are doing with renewed vigor.

So if you know someone who has made a difference in your life, take a minute and let them know. I’m sure they would agree that hearing something like that now is oh so much better than someone posting it on your Facebook wall or writing it in an obituary guest book after you’re gone. There is no greater gift in the world than true appreciation and it’s an easy task. We just need to take the few minutes it takes to let them know. Then you will be making a huge difference in their life!

Before I get started on today’s topic, this is the halfway point for what I had planned to do with this blog. If anyone out there is reading it and enjoying it, let me know and I may continue after I turn 60. I enjoy writing it and hope some of you have enjoyed reading it. It won’t be daily, but perhaps once a week. Just leave a quick comment below if you would read an old lady’s rantings for a while longer. Now, on to today’s post:

I am constantly struck by how stingy some people are, particularly with service professionals and wait staff. I’ve been in a nail salon where someone left a $2 tip on a $30 bill. Hair dressers, nail techs, aestheticians, and other service professionals have had schooling and other training to do well at their chosen profession. Tipping is important to show your appreciation for their expertise. Obviously, if you hate what they’ve done, perhaps you won’t tip, but I have not had that kind of experience. I appreciate the time they spend making me feel pretty and their knowledge in what will work with me and my lifestyle and preferences. I think at least 20% is a fair tip and often give much more than that to show my appreciation to them. One of the advantages of being a good tipper is extra good service–sometimes getting fit in at odd times that work for your crazy schedule, sometimes some extra glitter, sometimes a discount on product or service. But always appreciation for recognizing their expertise, and expertise it is. My beauty patrol (and it takes a whole lot of them!) are each experts in their field and are great at doing what it takes to make me look (and thus feel) good.

With respect to wait staff, I tip at least 20%. If you sit and watch them work, for the most part, they work their asses off and deal with incredibly rude people for their entire shift. If they are particularly attentive and nice, I could tip a little bit more.

I have never had a wait staff job, nor have I had to work in the beauty industry. I honestly don’t think I could do either. I have an extremely low tolerance for stupid and mean people and the first time someone yelled about something I have no control over, I would be done. So I have extra respect for those who can put up with that crap–and keep a smile on their face.

Don’t be a cheapskate. If you don’t have enough money to leave a decent tip, perhaps you shouldn’t be getting that service or eating at that restaurant in the first place. This is their chosen profession and they deserve to make a decent wage–just like you do.

Today’s post is more of a “do what I say and not what I do” topic. Here’s a news flash: You can’t do it all! Whether it has to do with your job, your home, your car, or any other part of your life, you can’t physically, mentally, or emotionally handle every single task that needs to be done in every area of your life.

I might be able to figure out how to change the oil in my car, but that would require many hours of training, getting dirty, and going into an auto supply store to get supplies. I would MUCH rather pay someone who does that for a living and already has the knowledge, supplies, and tools to get it done in a ridiculously shorter amount of time that I could. My time is valuable too and I would so much rather spend it doing something other than working on my car. It is not my strength nor my passion, but it could be both for someone I’m swiping my card for.

I am currently seriously considering getting someone to do the deep cleaning in my house. I am far too busy with my crazy life and I don’t enjoy it. It is not fun for me and it makes me grumpy and that really isn’t worth it when I can rearrange finances to find money for that. I’ve worked hard for a long time to be able to do that. It’s just smarter for me to spend my time doing other things that make a difference for my family (and make me far less grumpy) than mopping floors and cleaning doggie noseprints off of every window in my house.

I obviously don’t have enough money to pay someone to do every single job that I dislike, but I can pick those that make the most sense and start there. And so can you. If you can’t afford someone to do the task you hate the most, can you trade with someone? There is probably someone you know who loves to do what you don’t and they may hate doing something you love to do. Back in the old days (even before me), bartering was part of everyone’s financial system. There isn’t anything that says you can’t continue that tradition.

Be creative! Figure out ways to let others help you do things that need to be done that you don’t have the energy, time, or desire to handle yourself. You deserve it and you need it to preserve your sanity. Even if you can only get someone once in a while, it will be helpful to you. And that makes it so worth it!

Laughter is good for you. Laughter is contagious. Laughter feels good. Laughter brings people together.

It also helps get rid of stress, helps curb pain, and can release endorphins–all making you feel better. I know being with friends who continuously make me laugh is among my favorite things in my life.

Second to that is watching a comedy show or series on TV, reading something that is funny, or clicking on a Facebook video that has gone viral because it is funny. Remember this one? https://www.facebook.com/candaceSpayne/videos/10209653193067040/

I could not stop laughing and could not stop watching it. And it made me feel good. Which is much more than most of what is posted on Facebook. It was a really simple thing–straight laughter. I’m going to try to post more motivational and funny material on my 60 Is The New . . . 60 Facebook page and maybe on my personal page to help make others laugh–or at least smile a little. There is enough bad news everywhere we look these days, a short “laugh break” would be welcome and necessary.

Laughter is really important and sharing that laughter with others makes it even better. It doesn’t take much to find the joy in regular things, but it is super important to do that. Work at finding the good in every situation–even the bad ones. Do you wake up every morning? That would be good in any situation. Do you have food? A roof over your head? Clothes to wear? That’s the good. Do you have friends? Can you read? Do you have a job? All the good. Just stop and think about things. You may not have the perfect job, but you have a job giving you experience and money. You may have to budget carefully and not get to buy the extras every week, but you get enough to keep you alive. So find the good and smile about it! It is definitely something to smile about. Look for the things that make you smile and the things that make you laugh. They are out there, you just need to be aware of them. If that doesn’t work, then manufacture them yourself. There is nothing wrong with making yourself laugh! Just don’t do it in a crowded room where people will think you’ve gone crazy and haul you off!

Just laugh and get your world to laugh with you.

The Pokémon Go craze reminded me of this piece of advice–which is the same advice I got from my mother, my grandmothers, and I’m sure they got it from their moms and grandmothers too–STAND UP STRAIGHT!

I see people walking kind of zombielike trying to find little creatures around town. While I appreciate that getting gamers away from in front of the televisions and out in the great outdoors is a great start, it is still staring at a cell phone. I know just looking at my cell phone while walking, riding the elevator, and standing and waiting for something has affected my posture and my neck. My massage therapist confirms this is true. I’m trying to be better about putting my phone away and standing up straight while doing those things to make it less of a problem.

This pain is just from having a cell phone for the last 10ish years. I can only imagine what children who get cell phones at 6, 7, 8 years old will look and feel like once they get to be 60.

It is really important to take care of your posture. As you get older, the results of consistent bad posture become more and more apparent. Hips need to be adjusted, back needs to be adjusted, and massages become a necessity, not a luxury.

In addition, there is a possibility of running into people or things, falling down steps, falling into fountains or pools, even getting hit by a car because you’re not paying attention to where you’re going because you’ve got your head buried in your phone. It really is dangerous and it really is preventable.

So put your phone away, sit up straight, and have a conversation with someone while actually looking them in the eye! Interesting concept, I know, but you might be surprised at how much better the conversation will be.

For most of my life, the most traveling I did was back and forth to work. For some reason, I have rarely had a job within 10 miles of home, so driving 45 miles each way makes for a 90 mile round trip and that’s traveling!

Once I discovered the joy of REAL traveling, I was hooked. Not only traveling to conferences for my professional association and staying a day or two to see the area of the country we are in, but it has escalated into international travel and I love it!

Travel includes lots of things for lots of budgets. Whether it was a road trip to the outlet malls in California (before they had such great outlet malls here), a road trip to Disneyland, or a road trip to Vegas, going with friends and sharing the costs of gas and a hotel room makes for the ultimate bonding experience.

We also build in travel when we go to conferences. I have been able to see amazing things in places I otherwise would never go to. I’ve seen the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, Williamsburg, VA while going to a conference in Norfolk, the Gone With the Wind Museum in Atlanta, and many more.

Having been born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, my lifetime landscape has always been a dry desert valley. When I travel to other places, I get to see grass, rivers, bridges, and unbelievably beautiful scenery.

And the things I saw in my trip from Spain to Italy were remarkable. Just knowing the history of that part of the world is so much longer than the history of the United States and seeing pieces of that history still standing was truly awe inspiring. Pictures online don’t do it justice. Seeing those things with my own eyes is something I will never regret and will always be thankful for.

Traveling certainly isn’t cheap. Traveling with friends helps cut the cost down, but it is still expensive. But I’ve worked hard for years to be able to do things like this. And it keeps me working hard so I can continue to travel. Oh yes, I will continue to travel! I have a very long bucket list to catch up on!

I was not (nor am I now) a makeup aficionado in high school. I wore the obligatory blue or green eye shadow, but not much else. Since then–actually long after high school–I have discovered the true joy of makeup. It covers a multitude of skin flaws (particularly flaws that appear with age) and makes me feel pretty.

I’ve been lucky enough to have great aestheticians, makeup artists, and makeup passionistas (I kind of love that word!) who have helped me learn how to take care of my skin and how to apply makeup well and in colors that complement me (which aren’t blue or green!). In fact, I have been known to ask my granddaughters for makeup advice since those who are old enough to wear it, wear it beautifully. I have also looked on YouTube for makeup advice. YouTube is actually a terrific source of information. If you are trying to use makeup to help deal with an age issue like hooded eyes, check YouTube.

You don’t have to use makeup. It seems the trend now is getting away from it and going au naturel, but if wearing makeup helps you feel more beautiful, then wear it, and wear it proudly.

If you don’t know how to apply it, which of the gazillion choices you should buy, or what colors work best with you, you have options. Find an aesthetician who also does makeup and have them help you figure out what will work best. Find a friend or someone you can talk to that wears makeup like you would like to and ask them what brand they use. Then find someone that sells that brand and see if they will help. You can also go to Ulta or Sephora or other beauty bars in some department stores and they will help you choose what will work for you.

While I own something like at least 10 different lipsticks, glosses, and lip balm, I rarely remember to put it on. Or I put it on in the morning and that’s the best it gets. I forget for the rest of the day. But wearing lipstick is my physical reminder that I’ve taken the time to make myself look as good as I can. It is also always a danger signal for those I work with who think if I’m wearing lipstick, I must have a job interview.

It sounds like a lot of work and it is, but if it makes you feel even more beautiful than you already are, then go for it! If it will help cover things that make you more self-conscious, then go for it! If you’re perfectly happy without wearing any makeup at all, then go for it!

It is definitely your face and definitely your choice. Just please don’t put others down because they “makeup” differently than you do.