A Time To Reflect

A Time To Reflect

  As if to say, another year has gone by.  It’s over and done. No do overs. 

 Nothing is ever final until it is. A very contradictory statements but true. When the time comes that you are no longer able to participate, then it’s final. 

 A perfect example is the present year, in this instance 2022.  At the end of this 31st day of December 2022, the year will cease to exist. Most people will simply continue into the next year as they have done so many times before. Have you ever asked yourself, is that all there is?  Just stand or lay around waiting to see what life brings your way. 

 Have you ever asked yourself, where do I see myself in five years?  If you have, have youever asked yourself, what are the steps required to get there? Unless you receive an inheritance or win a lotto jackpot, improving your place in life requires effort.  Even winning the lotto requires that you buy a ticket. 

 Full disclosure, the only expertise I claim, is living my own life, being happily married and being fortunate at having some great children with reasonable happiness and success. I’ve always claimed to be happy healthy and blessed. I almost forgot to mention, I do have one superpower. 

 This one talent is so rare, that it now qualifies as a superpower.  My special power is common sense. Simply being able to assess possible outcomes, from actions initiated, is a strength.

 A positive attitude is always a plus but must be tempered with a dose of reality. The adage, “if it can go wrong, it will,” has been proven correct time and again. Consider that reflection time over the year ending today is proper especially if corrections are called for to achieve future goals.  May the New Year bring you your best year yet!  The best is yet to come…

 

Secret Sauce

 

Man's Life Stages

Making the most of life is always important but never as important as when you near your Golden Years.  I refer to this post as Man's Life Stages only because it's being shared by me and obviously a man's perspective.  Having said that, all I share will also apply to a person of the opposite gender.  

Three Measures

For the purpose of this post, I will use three measures on every Stage of Life, and they are: Time, Money, and Energy.

• First Stage - Youth: Many young men during their high school years and some even into college have plenty of time and energy but minimal money.  

1. Without a doubt, most often by choice or circumstance.  Their values and priorities have yet to be developed.  I on the other hand had my very first successful business at the age of 10.  Some might say I was lucky, however, Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.  
2. I'm sure that multitasking has been around for a long time, I can't remember a time when I didn't have at least 3 or 4 things going on at the same time.  I would even go as far as to say that the common problem is lacking motivation, and thus lacking money.

• Second Stage - Adult: Young adults by now for the most part have completed college or entered the work force, started a business and/or are working their way up the corporate ladder. Some maybe even have gotten married and are raising a family.  All of a sudden they find themselves (hopefully) with plenty of money, and energy (still young) but no time. 

1. It doesn't have to be as describes but I'll guess that a sampling would show approximately 90% as described.
2. This stage of life is a time when many relationships get stressed to the breaking point.  If you don't have a strategy and great partner to help you through it, you may run into some tough challenges.  Managing your limited time is crucial.  My wife and I had 4 children, and I was fortunate that she wanted to be a stay at home mom until all the children were attending school full time. In the meantime she was involved in our family business which didn't impose a stringent work schedule on her. 

• Third Stage - Old: If you worked smart and diligently had some good luck, and kept all the chainsaws you were juggling up in the air, you should find yourself with lots of time, ample money, but low on energy.

1. Hopefully you made your money for retirement and made some wise investment choices before you ran low on energy.  I've always said that in life I took some risks based on knowing that if I failed I had enough time to recover the losses.
2. However, at some point in my age progressions I started playing it safe.

And now for the Secret Sauce:  There is one element that can make all the difference in the world at every one of the 3 stages especially the third one.  I'm sure we have all heard someone say, "if only I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."  We don't all have the blessings of good genes, or healthy habits plus a great life partner who keeps us on the straight and narrow to better life choices.

If you already missed the train to good health in your golden years, then you must share this and other similar articles with your children so they don't end up finding out at a later time in life.  As always, I make the claim that I am healthy, happy and blessed.  I still have enough energy to be working, even if I really don't have to (because I am retired).  I still enjoy long road trips in which I do all the driving by choice.  I have many interests and I stay mobile and involved.  Remember: If you don't get of the couch while you can, you won't be able to get off when you have to.  The best is yet to come.....

Surprise At Every Turn

Surprise At Every Turn

Do you remember a time when you felt in control of most aspects of your life?  Perhaps I am unique and no one else ever felt that way.  A possibility but doubtful.  Even if raised in poverty I believe it's human nature to be optimistic.  I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but thanks to the love and nurturing of my parents, I had all my needs and many wants.

Special treatment growing up didn't set me up for false expectations, but did encourage me to strive for attainable realistic successes (goal outcomes).

Two key words so far are "optimistic and realistic."

Optimistic

• someone who is optimistic is hopeful about the future and tends to expect that good things will happen
• optimistic about: She said that she was optimistic about the future of the company.
• be/remain optimistic that: I remain optimistic that a peaceful settlement of the dispute can be achieved.

Synonyms and related words

• Feeling hopeful and optimistic: the glass is half full (empty), hopeful, optimistic...

Realistic

• The definition of realistic is someone who has a good grip on the reality of a situation and understands what can and cannot be done, something that is a practical, achievable idea, or something that resembles the actual truth about life.
• An example of realistic is a person who knows his own limitations and isn't going to expect to be an amazing opera singer when he can't even carry a tune.
• An example of realistic is having a steady job that pays a monthly amount and realizing that you have to keep your budget within the constraints of your pay.  In other words, don't plan on a 30-day vacation at a 5-star resort if you budget can't handle the expense.

Because of my love for my country I am optimistic that we will survive the political turmoil that we find ourselves in, evidenced by the 100s of thousands of demonstrators in our country and around the world.

I won't admit to what side I stand on, but it doesn't matter.  Even a blind person can see that we are a country with its citizens divided.  One side sees the country in need of being saved from self-destruction to include carnage.  The other side sees a country in need of improvement from within and by the people themselves.

I am optimistic enough to know that we have survived times in our history worse than what we are going through right now, three examples are: 1) two world wars plus other undeclared wars possibly worse, 2) The Great Depression of the 1920s. 3) the assassinations of presidents.  Believe me when I say that many books can be written about all the bad times that our country has survived.

I am realistic enough to know that the ship won't right itself, we will need to roll-up our sleeves and put our shoulder to the wheel.  I consider what's happening in our country a wakeup call.  Many of us have become complacent, and confident that our country will continue to be great on Auto-Pilot, not so my friends.  You can interpret this post anyway you want, just don’t take your eye off of the desired outcomes.  The best is yet to come……….

Graduation – Bittersweet Outcome

Graduation – Bittersweet Outcome

 

On May 9^th 2015 I attended my grandson’s graduation from Washington State University.  I drove approximately 16 hours roundtrip from my home, and sat through two plus hours of Commencement Ceremony.  I enjoyed every moment of it, and like a good (make that great) supporter of the educational system, happily sat through until all the graduates had their moment in the spotlight.

 

Amongst the many presentations and speeches (every one inspiring) there were so many words of wisdom being shared, that I started taking notes.  In my life I have attended many social events because of a sense of duty or respect for a group or individual.  This was a participation for love plain and simple.  I held that little boy in my arms soon after he was born, and watched him grow, keeping close tabs on his progress as he worked his way through the educational system.  I attended football games, wrestling matches, even graduation from Kindergarten and high school.

So when the time came, nothing short of divine intervention was going to keep me away.  Here are a couple of facts as they relate to the graduating student class of 2015.

• How many students will graduate this year?  The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) projects 1,855,000 students at the bachelor's degree level will graduate as the Class of 2015.

• What are the top personal qualities employers look for in college graduates?  The top 5 personal qualities/skills employers seek, according to NACE's Job Outlook survey, are:
1. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
2. Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
3. Ability to obtain and process information
4. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
5. Ability to analyze quantitative data ~ National Association of Colleges and Employers

As I mentioned above, much wisdom was shared with the graduating class about going into the real word, but something was lacking.  I just couldn’t figure it out right off the top of my head.  Of the wisdom shared two things stood out foremost:

 

·        If you ever find yourself lost and in need of regaining your bearings, please return to this campus, this will forever, going forward be your home.  You belong here, this will always be your home.  It gave me a special feeling inside, kind of like having your parents tell you once you are ready to move out, that you can always return home.

·        If you ever find that all your objectives and aspiration are being accomplished, please stop and re-analyze your goals and objective, because you are not challenging yourself enough.

 

On Monday May 11^th I woke up with the answer that I was looking for at the Commencement Ceremony (that something that was lacking).  The first thing on my mind was my grandson and what must be going through his mind. I never heard anyone at the graduation address this subject.  I messaged him the following though Facebook Messenger (privately):   Good morning son! Welcome to the first week of the rest of your life. I remember when I got done with school, I had a well-deserved feeling of accomplishment, but I also felt a sense of loss. Something so familiar for so long, was now a thing of the past! Enjoy the summer break, and reset your mind for the challenges ahead! We love you and are very proud of all your accomplishments. Hope to see you next weekend.

 

Medical School is next; the best is yet to come……

Get It Where You Can

Golden Hair Boy / Top Dog

 

Finding comfort and confidence wherever and whenever you can get it is key.  On an episode of the Bill Cosby show their youngest daughter is in the first grade and she tells her mother that she is going to quit school.  Her mother asks her what she plans to do for a job without an education, and her answer is; I successfully finished Kindergarten, so I can always be a Kindergarten Teacher.

That moment to me is one I never have forgotten, because that is the perfect example of thinking outside the box.  If you stop to consider that until relatively recently there haven't been an overly abundance of people who think outside the box.  Perhaps a very common problem in the learning process is that many of our teacher in life (not talking school System teachers) and trainers have experience the word "NO."  Consequently when they share their knowledge with us they are teaching us perhaps subconsciously, their understanding of the limitation that comes from negative experience.

Many times in my life I felt like I knew a better way to accomplish a task, but because I had responsibility to my family, I chose the safe and acceptable way of the establishment.   Doing things your way comes with a risk, which if it fails you could end up out of a job, or minimally out of favor.  You never want to gamble with your family’s future, most of life needs to be played as a calculated risk.  I always weighed possible outcomes and anticipated the worst that could happen “if.”  Beyond that, I also considered what it would take and how long would it be to recover from a wrong outcome.  Some portions of your family’s life are not to be gambled with: some examples are their shelter, food and medical.  Their parents’ presence in their lives, as an example I wouldn’t risk being taken away from their daily lives (prison).

Once you get married and the children start arriving you start to play it safe on the job. Unfortunately as the saying goes, "no pain, no gain!"  The big rewards are usually attached to big risks.  In my early work experience, for about 6 years in my corporate experience, I was what was often referred to back then as, "the golden haired boy!"  I could do no wrong, whatever the task, I was the man the job was assigned to.

Eventually, and ever so slowly, your armor begins to lose its luster.  It's almost like you go from being amazing, and can't do no wrong, to you are old enough and experienced enough that no one is surprised, and the positive outcome is expected.  The next step if you are lucky, you are assigned someone to mentor.  Otherwise, the establishment will select your replacement for the “golden haired position,”

The best you can hope for is that you graduate to a position of respect, and seniority (even while still young).  If not, you can always test the opportunities with the corporation’s competitors.  I repeat without apologies, that my whole life has been blessed and I am grateful for the life that my family and I have enjoyed.

One important thing to always remember is never justify doing something just because it's always been done that way. If you participate in a planning discussion, play the role of the devil's advocate, and demonstrate that you are able to think outside the box.  Sometimes when offering an alternate plan you could be stepping on someone's toes.  Just make sure those toes don't belong to your supervisor, or president of the company.  The best is yet to come.......

Sports Influence 2

Sports Influence 2

I’ve said it many times before, as long as you put forth your best effort, you can always be proud of your accomplishments.  It doesn’t matter if you walk away with the ultimate prize or end up second best.  Someone has to win and someone has to lose.

Last weekend Super Bowl Sunday had special meaning for me.  For the second time in 38 years the one team that has maintained my interest in the National Football League, the Seattle Seahawks were competing.  During the last two weeks of hype leading up to the Super Bowl, I was so strong in my support of the team that I knew we could walk away champions.  Just the same I told myself that there was a chance that we could end up second best, and I could live with it.

I invited family over to our home so that we could collectively lend our energy to our favorite team.  The family gathering alone made this event a winning situation.  This special day at our home was one of momentous jubilation even before the game started.  Our family gathering in itself was reason to be happy.  Plenty of food variety for everyone’s taste; definitely the best indoor tailgate party we have ever had. 

The fan base known as the 12 Man understand that our team is young and strong with only a handful of players entering and testing free agency next season and likely to move on.  Even the experts who have managed to ignore our team over the years are now comparing the Seahawks to the young Dallas Cowboys of the early 1990’s that went on to win 3 championships is short order.

Like many negative events in history where you will always know where you were when they happened, so will this championship.  Our family unit will always remember the time when our first championship was won and how we were all together enjoying our family unity in victory.

While there is a requirement to exercise good sportsmanship in victory as well as in defeat, there is no comparison to the feeling of being World Champions.  I hold a very strong respect for Peyton Manning and all his accomplishments, and very classy demeanor.  Go out and support your team because they depend on the fan base, besides, at least to date no one team is champion forever.  The best is yet to come…..

Bucket List Minus #2

Bucket List Minus #2

2. I will go on a trip to a city 50 to 100 + miles one way by train.  

Please see Posting: Making a Bucket List (February 13, 2014) http://www.being50.com/2013/02/making-bucket-list.html

I am happy to report that traveling by Amtrak is easier then traveling by airplane, and at least 10 times easier to make arrangements. For the record no turbulence to report, another plus.  An approximate distance of 120 miles round trip for a total cost of under $60 roundtrip Business Class (equivalent to First Class).  Luxury and comfort all the way, with no traffic bottle necks.  I was as productive as if I had stayed in my office while on the trip.  I worked on my laptop connected by the hotspot on my cell phone the whole time without interruption.

 

In my case there is only one negative, and that is that there was an approximate two hour delay for the return trip.  I suppose most people would have had a real purpose for the trip while my only goal was to make the trip for the sake of satisfying the Bucket List Item #2.

While the scenery was very breath taking it wasn’t anything I had not seen before.  Every once in a while a glimpse of traffic bottle necks on the freeway.  While I undoubtedly would have saved cost by driving myself, we often don’t see the savings in stress that traffic creates in us.  To any one that regularly makes the commute, I would recommend Amtrak, while the ticket price might seem costly to someone making a daily commute the benefits are priceless.  Not everyone uses their free time productively, but if you do, this is the way to go.

 

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “time is money.”  Well, this is the perfect example of what they are talking about.  If you are a salesman that needs to be on the telephone (safely), on a 60 mile trip one way you gain 2 hours of phone time.  How many calls can you get in two hours?  How many sales can you close in two hours?  How about computer time?  Once again two hours of time on the computer, while care free riding in luxury.  There are ample electrical plugins for your electronics.

 

For most salesmen on commission, one solid sale could pay your commute for the month.  At the end of the day on your commute home, you extend your work day by two hours (on a 60 mile commute).  Or if you prefer you can start relaxing the minute you sit for the trip home.  If your work is the physical type you can gain four hours per day for rest and relaxation.

The trip was very enjoyable, and I would even recommend taking a vacation trip just for the experience.  The best is yet to come…..

State of the Nation

State of the Nation

Never want to upstage someone as important as the leader of the free world.  I only mean that in the sense of posting my perspective of where the Nation is at, ahead of his State of the Union speech.

Every once in a while aging does come with benefits:  knowing from experience what to expect with regard to a pep talk (which a State of the Union speech is meant to be).  When you hear enough of this speeches and then live through the period of time that follows you learn to read between the lines.  I would be the last person to say that a politician lies but they do embellish, and you have to give them credit, they are optimistic about how they can improve things with their plans for us.

If you want to get a real feeling for how the nation is doing you should consider that not everyone is affected in the same exact way at the same exact time by prevailing conditions, political or otherwise.  I’ve always measure improvements by getting it down to the lowest common denominator.  First of all, how am I (my home) doing since the last State of the Union speech?  The next level might be to assess the status of your job or business.  The next most important measure to an individual should be, the family.  How are your children doing?  How are your brothers and sisters doing?  How about your parents:  the ones that can least afford a negative condition in the state of the nation.  Before you counter; some of our elderly that have had a nice life may actually be in better shape economically to withstand a temporary downturn in the economy.  However, generally speaking elderly population with a fixed incomes have limited ability to withstand even temporary downturns.

Now for the tools to measure how we are doing.  Take a look at the property tax statement for your home, if you are one of the fortunate people to own or to be buying your home.  You can usually see a comparison from your past property valuation to your next increase or decrease in valuation, and taxes due.  Take a look at your bank account are your savings stable or has it been declining?  Check your credit card balances are your credit card balances down or up?  Certain things affect us all equally, as an example the unusually cold weather we are experiencing in parts of the nation.  According to some news reports utility bills are doubling in some areas because of the extreme and prolonged cold weather.  If your personal situation is stable, you should be able to withstand the fluctuation in your utility bills, but if you are not doing well, it could be the difference between buying groceries and keeping warm.

Another area to measure is the security issues that have been prevalent in the news.  Are you more concerned about privacy with regards to electronic communications?  Are you experiencing problems with your health coverage (have you recently been dropped?)?  Has your health coverage costs increased significantly?  Most of us can withstand the flu or a cold, maybe even a sprained ankle without insurance.  However, a major surgery event in the family can bankrupt you, if you can even get medical care without insurance.

It turns out that I am not reporting the State of the Nation, instead I am giving you some ideas on how to evaluate on your own.  Having read the State of the Nation post, how are you and yours doing?  The best is yet to come……

Welcome To Being50.com 2

My 1969 Charger R/T

Welcome To Being50.com 2

This post is an update to: Welcome To being50.com, posted February 10, 2013, http://www.being50.com/2013/02/welcome-to-being50com.html.  This post was the second post as I started what I had hoped would be a very long journey into the world of blogging.

In keeping with tradition this is the second post of the beginning of the second calendar year that www.being50.com  is in existence.  My one year anniversary of this Blog will be on February 10, 2014.  I find myself still excited about the project, and particularly proud of the accomplishments at every level.  In a little less than eleven months I have posted 280 times (that is an average of more than 25 times per month or one every 1.2 days).  I couldn’t perform this task for pay, unless I loved it, and I do.  I won’t tell you how many page views I have because you will think that I am bragging, just know that the following of readers is worldwide and includes Russia, China, England, Ireland, Germany, France, Australia, continental USA, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, I won’t attempt to mention them all because I will most likely leave somebody out.  USA is the country where most of my followers come from, with China in second place, and Canada within 300 in third place.

Our minds are still the driving force of this blog.  There is much to discuss, and reminisce about: our parents and grandparents, the cars we drove, our music, clothing fashion, our schools, our friends, on and on.  I like to think that we can travel back in time any time we want because the “Time Machine’” sits squarely on our shoulders, and yet I realize that we are not all equally equipped to make those time travel journeys, so join me and I will be happy to be the one element that triggers your memories, and time travel.

The amazing thing about our minds and memories is that we are able to trigger the good memories and fun times, while not dragging out the perhaps negative times that we just as soon keep in the past.  Always remember that through memories you can revisit but we are unable to go back except in our dreams.  Simply think about a favorite time in your past, 20 or 30 minutes before you fall asleep, and you may just learn to visit in your dreams.  I testify to you, that I regularly do.

I extend a formal invitation to all the readers of this blog to visit regularly, and I promise to maintain this blog in a way like few others do.  You will find fresh postings on a variety of subjects, and always respectful and considerate to the readers.  Thank you for joining me on this special project, and best wishes for a Happy New Year 2014!  The best is yet to come……

Life’s Mission

Life’s Mission

 

Participation in this wonderful journey (life) is what it’s all about.  How do you know when your mission on earth is done and over?  You will never know, because as far as I am concerned, your mission is not over even when you die.  Until the day of your last breath and departure, you will contribute and then your legacy continues beyond.

• So what does a legacy include? As you would imagine, financial assets are certainly one part of a person’s legacy. In fact over the next few decades over $25 trillion, yes I said trillion, will pass from one generation to another making this period the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in the history of the world.
• The Allianz study actually revealed four pillars of legacy among its 2,627 people that they surveyed: values and life lessons, personal possessions of emotional value, wishes and directions to be fulfilled, and financial assets. Believe it or not, financial assets are not the most important of the four pillars. Non-financial items such as ethics, morality, faith, and religion, are ten times more important than financial matters to the elder parents and adult children.
• This study confirms that the value of your wisdom and personal experience, despite what you may perceive, is more valuable to your descendants than what you would ever have imagined. As a father, son, and grandson, I completely agree with this study and value anything non-financial from my ancestors and descendants as the most precious gifts ever given. Published: 02/01/2012  by Lee Thorsen

 

I would recommend to anyone reading this post to start a journal if you don’t already have one.  If you don’t presently have a journal, much of what you will leave as part of your legacy is still in your mind, and we all retain that information at different levels of quality, in other words depending on our family health history, our memories could begin to fade with age.  I am presently writing a book on my family history, and what little I have shared usually brings surprising reactions from my children, like I don’t know as much about you as I thought I did.

If we set our minds to it, every year, or minimally every decade could be a chapter in the book of our lives.  We usually underestimate the life we’ve lived, and can’t imagine anyone wanting to know what our life was like.  Certain periods of time might have been painfully slow and unchanging such as the pioneer days.  The period of our life on the other hand has been fast paced, especially when you see it in retrospect.

If you think for a moment about what some of us have gone through: from no television to smart television; from no widespread phone service to cellular telephones and Smart Phones; from being contained to Earth to landing on the Moon, and exploring Mars.  The amazing thing is that we lived the above mentioned events as they developed.  We can share first-hand information with our children and grandchildren that they may or may not take the time to research.

We still have time (and the mental capability) to explain to our children how their parents first met, courted and fell in love.  What our early family life was like, whether we cruised or struggled for the first few year.  How their arrival into the family completed our very existence.  Sometimes when we want to give our family a special gift but can’t afford it (financially), well, here is the answer right in front of you.  Make the gift that you can’t put a price on, and no one else can possibly give them.  Give them the gift of your legacy.  The best is yet to come….

Life’s Best Stages

Life’s Best Stages

I am contemplating which time in my life is the one that has brought me the most satisfaction. Every time that I settle on a stage in life, I revisit other parts of the spectrum of my life, and manage to create competition.

The very early part of my life was great and is one that I would like to maintain forever.  Having had no exposure to what life had to offer, it would make sense not to want to grow out of that first stage.  My parents took care of my every need, including dressing me and tying my shoes.  All my meals were prepared and perfect.  I had no idea what my needs were, but they were all been met, by two people who devoted their entire existence to me.

Please note the disclaimer: “Having had no exposure to what life had to offer.”  Life is very addictive, if you notice on a toddler’s daily routine, it’s all about exploration and pushing limits every day of their little life.  Once they break into that stage of life you can’t get them back into being passive little babies.  So for the reasons explained above this first stage in life rates a Best.

As mentioned above, the growing up years through 12 years of age, is a time when our minds are like sponges, and we are so busy learning, that time flies right on by.  Hopefully you will enjoy stability at home and make it a pleasant experience.  My parents divorced, and I hated to see my mother work so hard.  Perhaps I would not rate this as a Best stage of life.  I must admit that during this time I learned a lot from my mother.  I learned responsibility, and while I might not have enjoyed it as much, it help shape the man I am today.

The wonderful teen years, how can I not give this a Best stage of life rating? I was invincible, I was becoming a man, I was a chick magnet, and I was learning to work, and the value of a dollar, I was working hard towards a future.  I was deciding what I wanted to be in the next stage of my life.  I learned discipline by participating in school sports.  The stage is very special as life goes.

I started the next stage of life getting married the first time around.  Real responsibility was established in this segment of my life both by raising a family continuing my education, establishing my direction in management with regard to the workforce, and deciding who I wanted to be when I grew up.  I learned some great lessons and I applied those lessons appropriately.  I learned that long term lasting returns don’t come from building on quicksand.  Taking the time to properly build the foundation, makes for lasting rewards.  It was in this stage of life that I met my soul mate that would be destined to ride into the sunset with me.  From this stage in life and beyond to-date, I rate it a five star stage.

I can follow up and describe the stages that follow, but you wouldn’t be able to differentiate the various levels of grey (not to be confused with the popular book 50 Shades of Grey).  As life progressed, it got sweeter.  I would like to be a teenager again, but only if I could retain all my knowledge.  Financial stability more often than not comes with personal maturity, I actually have both going for me right now.  I wouldn’t change anything in my life because I love where I am in life.  I can’t imagine that I would want any different outcome.  Maybe one thing:  The age of fifties should last for twenty years, instead of ten before entering into the 60’s.  No real reason other than I feel it has the potential of being the best stage in life.  The best is yet to come….

Obedience and Prevention

 

I’ve always thought that as long as the majority of our society follows the rule of order we can consider ourselves civilized and orderly.  Already we have way too many people committing crimes against one another.  Some examples of present disorder are the surprising large number of crimes being committed such as: home invasions, assaults, rapes, murders, carjacking’s, auto theft, and an additional number of petty crimes.

COMMON SENSE CRIME PREVENTION

Crime and the fear of crime create special problems. Understanding the nature of the problem and knowing what to do to avoid being a victim of crime can help you. The following commonsense advice can be effective when you follow these tips.   WALKING Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Walk confidently. Have a companion accompany you. Stay away from buildings and doorways; walk in well-lighted areas. Have your key ready when approaching your front door. Don't dangle your purse away from your body. (Twelve percent of all crimes against the elderly are purse snatchings and street robberies.) Don't carry large, bulky shoulder bags; carry only what you need. Better yet, sew a small pocket inside your jacket or coat. If you don't have a purse, no one will try to snatch it. IN STORES Don't display large sums of cash. Never leave your purse unattended. Use checks where possible. IN YOUR CAR Always keep your car doors locked, whether you are in or out of your car. At stop signs and traffic lights, keep the car in gear. Travel well-lit and busy streets. Plan your route. Don't leave your purse on the seat beside you; put it on the floor, where it is more difficult for someone to grab it. Lock bundles or bags in the trunk. If interesting packages are out of sight, a thief will be less tempted to break in to steal them. When returning to your car, check the front seat, back seat, and floor before entering. Never pick up hitchhikers. If your car should break down, get far enough off the road, turn on your emergency flashers, raise the hood, get back into the car, lock the door, and wait for help. BANKING Many criminals know exactly when government checks arrive each month, and may pick that day to attack. Avoid this by using Direct Deposit, which sends your money directly from the government to the bank of your choice. And, at many banks, free checking accounts are available to senior citizens. Your bank has all the information. You should store valuables in a Safe Deposit Box. Never give your money to someone who calls on you, identifying himself as a bank official. A bank will never ask you to remove your money. Banks need the use of your money, and they don't want one of their customers to invite crime by having large amounts of cash around. When someone approaches you with a get-rich-quick-scheme involving some or all of YOUR savings, it is HIS get-rich-quick-scheme. If it is a legitimate investment, the opportunity to contribute your funds will still be there tomorrow-after you have had time to consider it. AT YOUR DOOR/HOME Never open your door automatically. Use an optical viewer, Lock your doors and windows. (Three quarters of the burglaries involving older persons involved unlocked doors and windows; and, less than one half of these robberies are reported.) Keep your garage doors locked. Vary your daily routine. Use "Neighbor Watch" to keep an eye on your neighborhood. A concerned neighbor is often the best protection against crime because suspicious persons and activities are noticed and reported to police promptly. Don't leave notes on the door when going out. Leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are away for an extended period. Don't place keys under mats, in mail boxes, or other receptacles outside your door. Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip. Cancel deliveries such as newspapers and arrange for someone - a neighbor's child, perhaps - to mow the lawn if need be. Arrange for your mail to be held by the Post Office, or ask a neighbor to collect it for you. Be wary of unsolicited offers to make repairs to your home. Deal only with reputable businesses. Keep an inventory with serial numbers and photographs of resalable appliances, antiques and furniture. Leave copies in a safe place. Don't hesitate to report crime or suspicious activities. Source: Originally developed by the City of Rochester

 

Listen to your instincts (also known as sixth sense, and intuition).  If something doesn’t feel right, play it safe, and if necessary ask for assistance.  Such things as asking a store manager to get you escorted to your car in the parking lot, should not be embarrassing.  Don’t be paranoid in everything you do, but a funny saying is, “just because you are paranoid, doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get you!”  Make 2014 your best and safest year ever!  The best is yet to come…..