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This time of year is brimming with anticipation, seen most vividly through a child’s eyes. It’s the kind of excitement that makes their whole being buzz—the anticipation of Christmas Day, with p…
This time of year is…
This time of year is brimming with anticipation, seen most vividly through a child’s eyes. It’s the kind of excitement that makes their whole being buzz—the anticipation of Christmas Day, with presents under the tree calling out to be unwrapped. The waiting is almost unbearable, no matter what age you are.As adults, and especially as seniors, we may have forgotten that particular spark. But what if we recaptured it, turning our gaze to the future with a childlike sense of wonder? Most years, we anticipate life in predictable ways: marking milestones, looking forward to holidays, or wel…
Royce Shook
December 23, 2024 For many of us, a home is more than just a building; it's a living scrapbook of our lives. It’s where we’ve shared laughter, faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and found peace in moments o…
For many of us, a …
For many of us, a home is more than just a building; it's a living scrapbook of our lives. It’s where we’ve shared laughter, faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and found peace in moments of solitude. As we take a moment to pause and reflect moving closer to Christmas day, I'd like to ask you to think about the following questions:1. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your home? Is it a specific room, a particular smell, or a cherished memory?2. What are some of your favourite memories that you've made in your home? Are they related to family gatherings, …
Royce Shook
December 22, 2024 I live in the Northern Hemisphere and my daughter and her family live in the Southern Hemisphere. So our winter solstice, the 21st of December is her summer solstice. This day is a significant date …
I live in the Nort…
I live in the Northern Hemisphere and my daughter and her family live in the Southern Hemisphere. So our winter solstice, the 21st of December is her summer solstice. This day is a significant date in both hemispheres, as it marks the solstice, but its meaning and experience differ depending on whether you are in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere.Northern Hemisphere PerspectiveWinter Solstice: The 21st of December is the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter. The sun's rays are at their most oblique angle, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the …
Royce Shook
December 21, 2024 I came across this quote by Muriel Rukeyser "All the poems of our lives are not yet made". When we retire, some of us want to continue to write the poems of our lives, but others only want to read…
I came across this q…
I came across this quote by Muriel Rukeyser "All the poems of our lives are not yet made". When we retire, some of us want to continue to write the poems of our lives, but others only want to read the poems they have already written. Retirement is a time of reflection and renewal, a chance to honour the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. Yet, it’s easy to hold too tightly to what has been, forgetting that the road ahead is still full of untapped potential. I encourage you to embrace the following truth that all the poems of our lives are not yet made. There is still t…
Royce Shook
December 20, 2024 Xmas is coming the goose is getting fat, Time to put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven’t got a penny a ha'penny will do, If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!Are you …
Xmas is coming the…
Xmas is coming the goose is getting fat, Time to put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven’t got a penny a ha'penny will do, If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!Are you happy? It appears that as we age, we become more optimistic and happy according to a survey done in 2024/The survey done by AARP in the fall shows that most older adults are optimistic about their future, with happiness increasing with age. As we move to the end of 2024 and celebrate Christmas focus on your sense of purpose and joy. The holidays allow us to engage in activities that bring fulfi…
Royce Shook
December 20, 2024 In times of trial, we summon our might,Seeking the spark in the depths of the night.Memories rise like a soft, glowing flame,Whispering strength as they call out our name.Each resource, each image, fo…
In times of trial, w…
In times of trial, we summon our might,Seeking the spark in the depths of the night.Memories rise like a soft, glowing flame,Whispering strength as they call out our name.Each resource, each image, forgotten but near,Leaps to our side, casting shadows of fear.This is the luck born of time well-prepared,A fullness of self from the love that we’ve shared.In crises of spirit, our needs intertwine—For each other, ourselves, a hope to align.We gather our courage, we call forth our will,And slowly we turn, though the world may stand still.The turning is quiet, or sudden, or long,Yet love is the …
Royce Shook
December 19, 2024 This is a time when forgiveness, love, and hope shine brightest, even amidst the challenges and uncertainties that life may bring. For many, it is a season filled with high expectations for the futu…
This is a time whe…
This is a time when forgiveness, love, and hope shine brightest, even amidst the challenges and uncertainties that life may bring. For many, it is a season filled with high expectations for the future, and while it can be joyful, it can also feel heavy for those who see only darkness ahead. Yet, this season offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rediscover the light that resides within each of us.During the holidays, you may find yourself thinking about what gifts you can give to your loved ones, especially your grandchildren. Perhaps the most enduring gift you can offer is teaching th…
Royce Shook
December 18, 2024 This is a time when forgiveness, love, and hope shine brightest, even amidst the challenges and uncertainties that life may bring. For many, it is a season filled with high expectations for the futu…
This is a time whe…
This is a time when forgiveness, love, and hope shine brightest, even amidst the challenges and uncertainties that life may bring. For many, it is a season filled with high expectations for the future, and while it can be joyful, it can also feel heavy for those who see only darkness ahead. Yet, this season offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rediscover the light that resides within each of us.During the holidays, you may find yourself thinking about what gifts you can give to your loved ones, especially your grandchildren. Perhaps the most enduring gift you can offer is teaching th…
Royce Shook
December 18, 2024 I’ve seen how much power kindness holds, especially during times of change. Retirement often brings new beginnings, but it can also come with significant transitions—shifting routines, changing …
I’ve seen how mu…
I’ve seen how much power kindness holds, especially during times of change. Retirement often brings new beginnings, but it can also come with significant transitions—shifting routines, changing roles, or even redefining Relationships. It’s during these times that kindness becomes an anchor, offering stability and warmth not only to us but also to those we love.Kindness is the universal language of love, and it has an incredible way of softening life’s transitions. When we take a moment to express our care and love to family and friends, it reminds everyone involved of the deep bond…
Royce Shook
December 17, 2024 During the holidays, it’s easy for some people to feel disconnected or doubt their place in the world. But there’s something we can learn from dogs wagging their tails or cats purring, even when l…
During the holidays,…
During the holidays, it’s easy for some people to feel disconnected or doubt their place in the world. But there’s something we can learn from dogs wagging their tails or cats purring, even when life hasn’t been kind to them. They seem to know deep down that they’re loved, needed, and capable of making a difference just by being themselves.This is a powerful truth for all of us, though sometimes people forget it. Life’s challenges, disappointments, or feelings of isolation can cloud that awareness. But like those animals who instinctively trust that brighter moments are always poss…
Royce Shook
December 16, 2024 The spirit of the holidays is a time of giving for most but, for scammers, it is a time of taking. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre highlights the most popular holiday scams so that you can recognize, r…
The spirit of the ho…
The spirit of the holidays is a time of giving for most but, for scammers, it is a time of taking. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre highlights the most popular holiday scams so that you can recognize, reject, report and be merry. For more information go to this link: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2021/11/holiday-fetes-eng.htmCounterfeit merchandiseCounterfeiters can easily create websites that look like legitimate manufacturers and offer products at a huge discount. Look out for huge and flashy discount ads that direct you to websites that look like legitimate …
Royce Shook
December 14, 2024 During this holiday time, you may be thinking about what you can give to your grandchildren. I suggest that give them the gift of a positive outlook on life and the gift of how you love the world. Tea…
During this holiday …
During this holiday time, you may be thinking about what you can give to your grandchildren. I suggest that give them the gift of a positive outlook on life and the gift of how you love the world. Teaching them to learn to love the world means that you teach them that they cannot be pleasantly indifferent about its future. Teach them that there is Wisdom in knowing that change has come before and, what is more, that it will keep on coming, often when they least expect it; unplanned, spontaneous, and sometimes, even just in time.Learning to love the world means embracing it in all its complexit…
Royce Shook
December 13, 2024 The holidays are coming up fast, and this should be a joyous time, and it is for many, but for some, it is not. Life events make it hard to keep ahead of the isolation, loneliness and sorrow that visi…
The holidays are com…
The holidays are coming up fast, and this should be a joyous time, and it is for many, but for some, it is not. Life events make it hard to keep ahead of the isolation, loneliness and sorrow that visit some of us during the holiday season.In times when the world feels weighed down by turmoil, and individuals find themselves questioning fairness, respect, and the very fabric of humanity, it’s natural for self-doubt and despair to take root. Yet, even in the darkest moments, there are forces within us that keep despair at bay and make life meaningful.When the mind—the profound meeting pl…
Royce Shook
December 12, 2024 Every era, every culture, and every tradition carries its unique character—its strengths and weaknesses, its beauty and flaws. The age we live in is no different. We find ourselves grappling with …
Every era, every c…
Every era, every culture, and every tradition carries its unique character—its strengths and weaknesses, its beauty and flaws. The age we live in is no different. We find ourselves grappling with challenges that seem to weigh heavily on our collective spirit, enduring certain struggles as inevitable and facing evils that demand change.Yet, history teaches us that such moments of uncertainty are not new. They often emerge when a generation is caught between two worlds—two ways of seeing the world—leaving many of us feeling untethered, without a clear sense of identity or direction. To…
Royce Shook
December 11, 2024 For many, of us, retirement can lead to feelings of loneliness, especially if our loved ones live far away or as happens to young families, they become preoccupied with their own schedules. Here are…
For many, of us, r…
For many, of us, retirement can lead to feelings of loneliness, especially if our loved ones live far away or as happens to young families, they become preoccupied with their own schedules. Here are some ideas on how to overcome these feelings.Scheduling visits with family or friends during the holiday season can create something to look forward to. Remember that you have to be flexible as many of our children have very hectic lives during the holiday season, and flexibility may allow you to find time to visit. For those of you who can joining a local walking group or fitness class is a go…
Royce Shook
December 10, 2024 Retirement is a time of new beginnings it also forces us to shift our daily routines and social connections, which are essential for mental and emotional well-being. The holidays are stressful, so k…
Retirement is a ti…
Retirement is a time of new beginnings it also forces us to shift our daily routines and social connections, which are essential for mental and emotional well-being. The holidays are stressful, so keeping connections strong is important but it is particularly important around the holiday season. Nurturing connections can make a big difference in your sense of fulfillment and happiness during the Stress of the holiday season.The shift to retirement can affect us in various ways, especially when it comes to social life. For many of us, work provided daily interaction with people we called fr…
Royce Shook
December 9, 2024 Here’s a fresh take on how seniors can use AI to make life easier,1. Virtual Personal AssistantImagine having a helpful, non-judgmental assistant who doesn’t mind repeating directions or tel…
Here’s a fresh t…
Here’s a fresh take on how seniors can use AI to make life easier,1. Virtual Personal AssistantImagine having a helpful, non-judgmental assistant who doesn’t mind repeating directions or telling you the weather every ten minutes. With AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, seniors can get hands-free help with reminders, making calls, sending messages, and even finding that pesky song they used to love (just hum a few bars – it actually works!). Think of them as a grandchild who actually listens … every time.2. Health MonitoringAI-powered devices can track health…
Royce Shook
December 8, 2024 Generative AI might sound futuristic, like something out of The Jetsons, but it’s already here and can truly make life a bit easier (and more fun!) for seniors. Here’s why embracing this technol…
Generative AI migh…
Generative AI might sound futuristic, like something out of The Jetsons, but it’s already here and can truly make life a bit easier (and more fun!) for seniors. Here’s why embracing this Technology isn’t something to fear—and might even be something to get excited about!Enhanced CommunicationGenerative AI tools, like speech-to-text software, can lend a hand (or voice!) to seniors who might struggle with typing or writing. Picture this: just talking, and your words pop up on the screen! Perfect for sending emails, chatting on social media, or even penning that long-awaited letter …
Royce Shook
December 7, 2024 
