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Dear Older, Wiser Woman,
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Celebrations, an online
publication with its goal to inspire women to embrace and enjoy the
magnificent journey of successful aging.
If you have not already done so, consider sharing a story, poem,
some words about your aging experience. Women want to hear from you,
regardless if you are just entering midlife, or you consider
yourself truly a WiseSage. Click the "Contribute a Story" link under
the Quick Links heading to the right for further information.
Aging can mean many things to many people. We recently toured the
Ancestral home of the Ancient Pubeloians in the American Southwest.
A truly magnificent and spiritual location, perfect for a 50th
birthday celebration. The wise woman whose birthday was being
celebrated said it really puts it all in persepctive...50 is very
young when you are looking at what people left behind so very long
ago.
| WiserBody Tips |
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
and October 15, 2004 is National Mammography Day! Several
providers of mammography are offering free mammograms to women
who qualify. (As a matter of fact, there are several programs
throughout the United States that offer free or discounted
breast and cervical cancer screening to women based on
financial need.) To locate free or discounted mammograms in
your area, contact any of the following organizations:
- American Cancer Society 800/227-2345
- National Cancer Institute 800/4-CANCER
- American College of Radiology (Pam Wilcox) 800/227-5463
- Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization 800/221- 2141
I've heard many women say that breast cancer does
not run in their family, therefore they don't need to worry.
Many of those women are the first women in their families to
develop breast cancer! All women need to be aware of their
breast. I strongly recommend that ALL women do monthly self
breast exams. Many feel unsure about this. The most important
thing is for you to become familiar with your own lumps and
bumps so you can notify your health care provider if something
unusual comes up. See your provider for an annual clinical
breast exam. And for women over 40, it's recommended that you
have that exam prior to your mammogram so any abnormalities
can have additional pictures taken.
Breast cancer, detected early has a 5 year survival rate
that exceeds 95%! To date, self breast exams and mammograms
are among the best early detections methods we currently have.
Further information and resources can be found on the Breast
Health pages.
Flu season is coming! Officals at the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
are predicting a nasty season. Please consider getting a flu
vaccine when they become available. In the meantime, stay
healthy, and wash your hands a lot. More information about
prevention and treatment can be found at the CDC.
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| WiserMind Tips |
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I hear, on a daily basis from women who are concerned about
their memory, and can I relate! I can't tell you how many
times I've gone up the stairs only to forget what I went for!
While next month, we will go into memory in more depth, here
are some activities you can start doing now to improve your
brain function.
- Use your non-dominate hand to get through your morning
routine, like brushing your teeth and brushing your hair.
- Take a different route to work or while performing your
daily activities.
- Exercise! Get that blood moving!
- Take a class, learn a new hobby.
- Do the daily crossword puzzle, learn a new word a day.
- Make sure you have healthy numbers: things like your
blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
Other measures...take a good multivitamin and make sure you
are getting some omega-3 fatty acids in your diet or
supplements.
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| WiserBeing Tips |
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Celebrate your friends and acquaintances! Take time
to thank those that touch your life on a daily basis.
"It's so clear that you have to cherish everyone. I think
that's what I get from these older black women, that every
soul is to be cherished, that every flower is to bloom."
Alice Walker, Author
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A
gentle reminder to you that partner violence is not limited to
physical abuse, but includes sexual, emotional and financial
abuse as well. While many think of partner abuse as usually
male to female, it also occurs female to male and can also be
present in same sex relationships. Here are a few dos and
don'ts.
Do Not: accept or ignore violence around you or
your friends
Do: get help from your friends, family, pastor,
crisis center and/or health care provider
Further resources can be found at any of the following:
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| WiserMoney Tips |
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One of the hardest things for women to do, is to give to
themselves first. This includes paying yourself first and is
part of the foundation to sound financial health. We
will be discussing this further, but for now, I'd like to
challenge you to start paying yourself a set amount every time
money comes your way, 10% or more if you can, any amount less
if that is what you can manage right now. Put it into a saving
account for now...later we will discuss better savings and
investment vehicles.
Are you on prescription medication? See WiserVillage
for resources that may offer some assistance in paying for
your medicaitons.
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| WiserGiving Tips |
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Our choice for WiserGiving this month is the Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation . The Komen Foundation
is one of several organization that makes it possible for
women without means to obtain a free or discounted mammogram.
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| WiserShop |
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Several women have been asking, and it's finally ready! You
can now purchase OlderWiserWomen t- shirts, tote bags, cards,
etc.
This just in...our new bookstore
is up! You will find books pertinent to OlderWiserWomen, as
well as books recommended by our readers. Check it out!
And for the month of October, a portion of all proceed from
the WiserShop will be donated to the Susan B. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation.
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Focus On...Fear of Aging |
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Not long ago I received a note from a woman in her mid
twenty's expressing her fear of aging. She felt it was out of
control and only keeping her from growing into the woman she
is meant to be. She does not think poorly of older women, and
in fact started her note with "I have seen many gracefully
aged women and thought they are fantastic".
However, she then continues listing some of the things that
she is fearful of such as weight gain and the loss of
identity, youthful looks, attractiveness, freedom, style and
personality (especially around becoming a mother). There are
also those unknown fears which she sums up as the "loss of
what God knows what".
Sadly, this young woman's fears are not unfounded. Many
cultures in our world are youth oriented. We are bombarded
daily with advertisements to look younger, thinner and more
hip. TV, magazines, and music videos dictate our hair styles,
fashions, and behaviors. Not only that, but if we happen to be
old enough to have any gray hair or any FINE lines around our
eyes, we are directed to the appropriate product to erase any
signs of aging.
Is it any wonder that many of us are fearful? The
stereotypes around us are so misleading! We see images of
"little old ladies" that may walk hunched over, are poor, and
at the mercy of dishonest people. While some images show men
aging with distinction, we also see women who are just old,
dry and helpless. Hogwash! Find out more....
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