Aging Well: Motivation
Cathy Graham • January 3, 2022
True, our bodies go through natural changes as we advance in age. Skin loses elasticity, bones become less dense, muscles and joints talk more and our teeth and gums shift. One thing that isn’t a natural sign of aging is the lack of motivation to pursue a purposeful goal-driven lifestyle.
To create a happy disposition and engage in healthy patterns of living requires motivation at any age. However, a thriving positive attitude and will-do attitude often becomes a whisper in the third spring. The need for change is constant throughout life. People seek new opportunities to learn, create and build to enhance their own quality of living. Why is it then that many people lose that drive and determination as the years pile on? Nothing about aging says that you must wonder less, cease to explore or become a lesser version of yourself.
Does advanced aging truly require us to “slam on the brakes”? Not having something to look forward to can lead to isolation, lower self-efficacy and the ever harmful sad days. Motivation upon rising sets the spirit for the day ahead. Movement like a brisk walk or reaching and stretching gets the heart pumping before breakfast.
Make plans each day to do something meaningful. Meet a friend to join an exercise class, take up painting or teach someone how to bake bread. Writing in a journal is another uplifting experience that will help the brain fire up and yearn for more.
Your goals at age 85 are not the same thing as your goals at age 35. But you still need them. I get it that your week may include doctor visits, or that you can’t dance like you once did or navigate the elements for a full day of hunting.
What can you do? Create a list of five things that bring you joy, then make them happen. No excuses; just put the effort forward. You will age the way you think you will, and that is all that matters.
Cathy Graham is director of Graceful Aging Wellness Center of Bethlen Communities, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and a District 3000–HRFA member.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
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