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Nicole H. Insight into What Makes Us Tick Columnist

As you get older, you get a better perspective on life and I thought it was about time I shared what I have learned with others, so that is why I decided to begin writing this column. Whereas I thought I was teaching my children and grandchildren throughout their lives, I finally realized that they were actually teaching me. So, combining what I have learned from others and my own curiosity is the basis for my work. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it.

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Why Do Grandparents Flee To Florida? &Raquo; Florida 2
Why Do Grandparents Flee to Florida?

Ever notice how it seems like everyone’s grandparents either live in Florida or plan to? It’s not your imagination. There’s a genuine, almost magnetic draw that pulls older adults to the Sunshin…

Ever notice how it s…

Ever notice how it seems like everyone’s grandparents either live in Florida or plan to? It’s not your imagination. There’s a genuine, almost magnetic draw that pulls older adults to the Sunshine State — and it’s not just about the weather, although that certainly helps. Every year, thousands of retirees make the migration south into what feels like a rite of passage, trading snow shovels for sunglasses and chilly holidays for year-round warmth. But what’s really behind this massive senior migration? Is it the beaches? The tax breaks? The shuffleboard? Or is there something deeper …

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Why Do I See What I Want To See? &Raquo; See What I Want To See 1
Why Do I See What I Want to See?

Ever caught yourself believing in something just because you wanted it to be true? Maybe you ignored red flags in a relationship because Love had you wearing rose-colored glasses. Or perhaps you convi…

Ever caught yourself…

Ever caught yourself believing in something just because you wanted it to be true? Maybe you ignored red flags in a relationship because love had you wearing rose-colored glasses. Or perhaps you convinced yourself that you nailed a job interview — only to realize you’d missed some key questions. Welcome to the world of subjective perception, where your mind often acts like a personal assistant — only showing you what it thinks you want to see. It’s not magic, and it’s not even necessarily denial. It’s a combination of psychological filters, emotional biases, and mental shortcuts…

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How Your Upbringing Influenced Who You Are Today? &Raquo; Upbringing Influencing Who You Are 1
How Your Upbringing Influenced Who You Are Today?

Ever wonder why you react to Stress in a certain way? Or why some decisions feel “right” even without logic backing them? That’s your upbringing at play. Our early years are more than just memor…

Ever wonder why you …

Ever wonder why you react to stress in a certain way? Or why some decisions feel “right” even without logic backing them? That’s your upbringing at play. Our early years are more than just memories — they’re blueprints. Upbringing isn’t just about where you grew up or the house you lived in; it’s the cocktail of experiences, values, environments, and Relationships that shaped your earliest understanding of the world. It’s the voice in your head that either cheers you on or tears you down. It’s the mold in which your character, personality, and responses were first formed. Whe…

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Where Do Our Thoughts Come From &Raquo; Thoughts 1
Where Do Our Thoughts Come From

Have you ever stopped to wonder where your thoughts actually come from? One moment you’re focused on brushing your teeth, and the next you’re daydreaming about a beach vacation you haven’t even …

Have you ever stoppe…

Have you ever stopped to wonder where your thoughts actually come from? One moment you’re focused on brushing your teeth, and the next you’re daydreaming about a beach vacation you haven’t even planned yet. Or maybe you’re trying to fall asleep and suddenly remember something awkward you said in middle school. Weird, right? Thoughts seem to appear out of nowhere, sometimes helpful, sometimes intrusive, and sometimes just plain strange. But the truth is, these thoughts are not random at all — they’re the result of complex processes happening inside your brain every second. Unders…

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Why Is Sex So Good In Your 60S? &Raquo; Sex In Your 60S 3
Why is Sex So Good in Your 60s?

Aging comes with a lot of myths, especially when it comes to sex. One of the biggest? That once you hit your 60s, your sex life takes a nosedive. But for many people, sex actually gets better in their…

Aging comes with a l…

Aging comes with a lot of myths, especially when it comes to sex. One of the biggest? That once you hit your 60s, your sex life takes a nosedive. But for many people, sex actually gets better in their 60s. That’s not just wishful thinking; it’s backed by science, psychology, and personal experience. If you’re hitting this milestone or already past it, there’s a lot to celebrate. Sex in your 60s isn’t just “still good” — it can be the best it’s ever been. Why? For starters, the pressure’s off. You’re not stressing about pregnancy, you’re not trying to prove anything, …

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What Is The Value Of My Legacy? &Raquo; Value Of My Legacy 2
What is the Value of My Legacy?

On the 10th. Anniversary of my mother’s death, I asked my kids to tell me what they remembered about their grandmother. One said she taught me how to swim underwater where I kept swimming between he…

On the 10th. Anniver…

On the 10th. Anniversary of my mother’s death, I asked my kids to tell me what they remembered about their grandmother. One said she taught me how to swim underwater where I kept swimming between her legs. Another said she taught them how to learn to count and add when they constantly played cards together. Another said she cherished walking down the street to get the mail together which gave them time to discuss how both of their days were going. Now that I am her age, I often wonder how will my grandchildren remember me? Legacy isn’t just about buildings with your name on them or fort…

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Why Am I Not Emotionally Available For My Grandkids? &Raquo; Emotionally Available 2
Why Am I Not Emotionally Available for My Grandkids?

Ever caught yourself sitting in the same room as your grandkids, watching them laugh, play, or talk—and yet feeling a strange disconnect? You’re physically there, but something’s missing. It's n…

Ever caught yourself…

Ever caught yourself sitting in the same room as your grandkids, watching them laugh, play, or talk—and yet feeling a strange disconnect? You’re physically there, but something’s missing. It's not that you don’t love them—you do, deeply. But there’s a wall, invisible yet very real, that keeps you from expressing that love in ways they might understand. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many grandparents silently struggle with being emotionally available. It can feel confusing, even shameful, especially when you hear stories of grandparents being their grandkids’ bes…

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Reflections As We Age &Raquo; Reflections 1
Reflections as We Age

Ever notice how, as the years roll on, we start thinking differently about life? It's not just about birthdays and wrinkles—aging brings a deep shift in how we see ourselves, others, and the world. …

Ever notice how, as …

Ever notice how, as the years roll on, we start thinking differently about life? It's not just about birthdays and wrinkles—aging brings a deep shift in how we see ourselves, others, and the world. We begin to reflect more, ask bigger questions, and seek a sense of purpose. These reflections aren’t just idle thoughts. They shape how we spend the rest of our lives. In fact, they can transform the aging process from something we fear into something we welcome. Growing older becomes a journey of discovery, not decline. Reflection is like holding a mirror up to your life—not to judge it, but…

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I Lost My Courage A Long Time Ago &Raquo; Courage 2
I Lost My Courage a Long Time Ago

Ever find yourself rehearsing in your head what you should have said—hours or even days after a situation has passed? You're not alone. The inability to stand up for yourself is one of the most frus…

Ever find yourself r…

Ever find yourself rehearsing in your head what you should have said—hours or even days after a situation has passed? You're not alone. The inability to stand up for yourself is one of the most frustrating and emotionally draining experiences a person can go through, and I know that personally. It leaves you feeling voiceless, overlooked, and sometimes even invisible. It’s not because you’re weak or broken. It's often a complicated mix of psychology, experience, and fear and It’s fixable. We live in a world that rewards confidence and assertiveness, yet so many of us have been condi…

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How Do You Keep Love Alive After Retirement? &Raquo; Keeping Love Alive 2
How Do You Keep Love Alive After Retirement?

Retirement is a beautiful milestone. It's the time when the early morning alarms are turned off for good, meetings become a thing of the past, and you finally have time to relax. While retirement is o…

Retirement is a beau…

Retirement is a beautiful milestone. It's the time when the early morning alarms are turned off for good, meetings become a thing of the past, and you finally have time to relax. While retirement is often seen as a reward for decades of hard work, it also brings a seismic shift in a couple’s daily lives. For years, careers, raising kids, and routines kept couples on autopilot. Suddenly, with retirement, there's an abundance of time, and the house feels smaller when you're together 24/7. So, how do you keep love alive after retirement? It turns out that love after retirement isn’t just abou…

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Why Can'T I Get My Kid To Play Outside Anymore? &Raquo; Play Outside 1
Why Can’t I Get My Kid to Play Outside Anymore?

Kids used to beg to go outside. Remember when they’d rush out right after school, only coming back when the streetlights flickered on? Fast forward to today—and it’s like pulling teeth just to g…

Kids used to beg to …

Kids used to beg to go outside. Remember when they’d rush out right after school, only coming back when the streetlights flickered on? Fast forward to today—and it’s like pulling teeth just to get them to step off the couch. If you’re asking yourself, “Why won’t my kid play outside anymore?”, you’re far from alone. This shift isn’t just about laziness or bad Parenting; it’s a complex mix of digital temptation, cultural change, and evolving lifestyles. According to ProjectPlay.org, in 2013, 60% of our kids aged 6-17 participated regularly in playing sports. This year that pa…

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Why Do I Say Yes To Avoid Conflict? &Raquo; Saying Yes To Avoid Conflict 1
Why Do I Say Yes to Avoid Conflict?

People-pleasing is a deeply ingrained habit where an individual prioritizes the needs, desires, or comfort of others above their own, often at their own expense. If you've ever found yourself agreeing…

People-pleasing is a…

People-pleasing is a deeply ingrained habit where an individual prioritizes the needs, desires, or comfort of others above their own, often at their own expense. If you've ever found yourself agreeing to things you didn’t want to do, avoiding your real opinion to “keep the peace,” or feeling anxious when someone is disappointed in you—chances are you’re familiar with this behavior. It's not about being kind or generous; it's about a compulsive need to be accepted, approved of, or liked, often to avoid discomfort or conflict. People-pleasing isn't just a personality trait—it's often…

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