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One of the ideas to help overcome the fear of Retirement is to find a cause one area about, easier said than done.Finding causes you care about involves a bit of introspection and exploration. Here ar…
One of the ideas to …
One of the ideas to help overcome the fear of retirement is to find a cause one area about, easier said than done.Finding causes you care about involves a bit of introspection and exploration. Here are some steps to help you identify and engage with causes that resonate with you:1. Reflect on Your Values and Interests:o List Your Values: Think about what matters most to you. This could include social justice, environmental protection, Education, animal welfare, healthcare, community development, etc.o Identify Passions: Consider activities or topics that you are passionate about. What issues e…
Royce Shook
September 23, 2024 Whenever I attend events with pre-retirees and retirees, I enjoy asking questions and listening to their thoughts on retirement. Many times, I've spoken with experienced, capable, and well-connected i…
Whenever I attend ev…
Whenever I attend events with pre-retirees and retirees, I enjoy asking questions and listening to their thoughts on retirement. Many times, I've spoken with experienced, capable, and well-connected individuals who share their concerns with me:"You know, I'm really apprehensive about retirement. I have enough Money, sure, but I've never thought about what else I would do. I don't have hobbies outside of work, and I haven't taken the time to learn about retirement. I'm just worried." It's natural to feel uncertain about the unknowns that come with this significant life transition.They're worri…
Royce Shook
September 22, 2024 Indeed, perfect happiness often lies in the small, everyday moments, rather than grand events. Remember, happiness is not a destination, but a journey. It's the accumulation of small, joyful moment…
Indeed, perfect ha…
Indeed, perfect happiness often lies in the small, everyday moments, rather than grand events. Remember, happiness is not a destination, but a journey. It's the accumulation of small, joyful moments that add up to a life well-lived. Just as a beautiful sunset is made up of individual rays of light, a grandchild's giggle is a collection of tiny, adorable sounds, and the first snowfall is a gentle accumulation of flakes, so too is happiness built from the small, everyday experiences we have.It's easy to get caught up in the idea that happiness requires grand, dramatic events, but the truth is…
Royce Shook
September 21, 2024 Smiling is not just a simple expression of joy; it can have profound effects on our well-being. Engaging in activities that induce smiling and laughter can stimulate positive emotions, which in turn m…
Smiling is not just …
Smiling is not just a simple expression of joy; it can have profound effects on our well-being. Engaging in activities that induce smiling and laughter can stimulate positive emotions, which in turn may help improve cognitive function and memory. Research suggests that the act of smiling triggers the release of neuropeptides that work to fight off Stress, while also activating neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, which are known to enhance mood. These biochemical reactions can lead to improved mental Clarity and a sharper memory, making smiling a simple yet effective wa…
Royce Shook
September 20, 2024 I am a leader in a number of groups and I think it is important for the members of the group to be on the same page. Synchronizing a group's mood is the process where members of a group tend to conver…
I am a leader in a n…
I am a leader in a number of groups and I think it is important for the members of the group to be on the same page. Synchronizing a group's mood is the process where members of a group tend to converge emotionally, often unconsciously. Smiling plays a significant role in this process.In a social setting, one person's genuine smile can act as a catalyst. This smile might be in response to a joke, a pleasant thought, or simply feeling comfortable in the environment. Due to our natural tendency to mimic facial expressions, others in the group may unconsciously begin to smile in response. This h…
Royce Shook
September 19, 2024 In an earlier post, I suggested that smiling leads to emotional contagion. Here is what I meant, emotional contagion is the phenomenon where people tend to unconsciously mimic and adopt the emotions…
In an earlier post…
In an earlier post, I suggested that smiling leads to emotional contagion. Here is what I meant, emotional contagion is the phenomenon where people tend to unconsciously mimic and adopt the emotions and expressions of those around them. When it comes to smiling, this concept is particularly relevant and fascinating.Here's how emotional contagion relates to smiling:Our brains have special cells called mirror neurons that activate both when we perform an action and when we see someone else perform that action. When we see someone smile, these neurons fire as if we were smiling ourselves, often…
Royce Shook
September 18, 2024 One notable study was conducted by Wayne State University in 2010. Researchers looked at baseball card photos of Major League players from 1952. They found that players who had genuine smiles in their…
One notable study wa…
One notable study was conducted by Wayne State University in 2010. Researchers looked at baseball card photos of Major League players from 1952. They found that players who had genuine smiles in their photos lived an average of 7 years longer than those who didn't smile. This study suggests that having a positive outlook, as reflected in a genuine smile, might be linked to a longer life.Another interesting study was published in the journal Psychological Science in 2010. This research followed more than 50,000 adults in Japan over several years. The study found that those who reported feeling …
Royce Shook
September 17, 2024 Smiling and laughter can have significant health benefits, particularly for individuals over 65 for several reasons. Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, natural stress relievers. whi…
Smiling and laughter…
Smiling and laughter can have significant health benefits, particularly for individuals over 65 for several reasons. Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, natural stress relievers. which lowers stress levels helping to reduce blood pressure and to improve heart health, which is especially important for older adults.Smiling can help with pain management as the endorphins released when smiling act as natural painkillers. This can be particularly beneficial for older adults dealing with chronic pain conditions like arthritis.Our immune system boost is given a boost when we smi…
Royce Shook
September 16, 2024 Smiling and laughter can have significant health benefits, particularly for individuals over 65 for several reasons. Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, natural stress relievers. whi…
Smiling and laughter…
Smiling and laughter can have significant health benefits, particularly for individuals over 65 for several reasons. Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, natural stress relievers. which lowers stress levels helping to reduce blood pressure and to improve heart health, which is especially important for older adults.Smiling can help with pain management as the endorphins released when smiling act as natural painkillers. This can be particularly beneficial for older adults dealing with chronic pain conditions like arthritis.Our immune system boost is given a boost when we smi…
Royce Shook
September 16, 2024 The power of a smile cannot be overstated. It’s a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, conveying warmth, kindness, and understanding without a single word. A smile ca…
The power of a smile…
The power of a smile cannot be overstated. It’s a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, conveying warmth, kindness, and understanding without a single word. A smile can transform a stranger into a friend, diffuse tension in a stressful situation, and uplift someone feeling down. Its impact is profound, reaching both the giver and the receiver, creating a ripple effect of positivity.For the person smiling, it triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, promoting feelings of well-being and reducing stress. It's a simp…
Royce Shook
September 15, 2024 We were talking about music of my generation which started because when I was at an open mic recently when a singer started performing a song by Pearl Jam. While many people today know their version, …
We were talking abou…
We were talking about music of my generation which started because when I was at an open mic recently when a singer started performing a song by Pearl Jam. While many people today know their version, I immediately recognized it from the original hit by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers called "Last Kiss." This song, along with many others from the late 1950s and early 1960s, captured a unique and somber fascination with teenage tragedy that defined our generation.We discussed why the boomers were so fascinated with death and tragedy when we were teenagers. We talked about the fact that we gr…
Royce Shook
September 14, 2024 The idea that each person in our lives is there for a reason, and that reason always has something to do with love, is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness and purpose of our Relationships.Wh…
The idea that each p…
The idea that each person in our lives is there for a reason, and that reason always has something to do with love, is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness and purpose of our relationships.When we think about the people in our lives, we often focus on the surface-level reasons why they're there. We might think about the practical benefits they bring, like financial support or emotional support, or the ways they make us feel, like happy or fulfilled. But the truth is, the reasons why people are in our lives run much deeper than that.Each person in our lives is there for a reason, and t…
Royce Shook
September 13, 2024 The idea that each person in our lives is there for a reason, and that reason always has something to do with love, is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness and purpose of our relationships.Wh…
The idea that each p…
The idea that each person in our lives is there for a reason, and that reason always has something to do with love, is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness and purpose of our relationships.When we think about the people in our lives, we often focus on the surface-level reasons why they're there. We might think about the practical benefits they bring, like financial support or emotional support, or the ways they make us feel, like happy or fulfilled. But the truth is, the reasons why people are in our lives run much deeper than that.Each person in our lives is there for a reason, and t…
Royce Shook
September 13, 2024 The idea that there is silence at the center of each person, an untrammelled space where the inner voice grows free to speak, is a powerful reminder of the creative potential that lies within us all…
The idea that ther…
The idea that there is silence at the center of each person, an untrammelled space where the inner voice grows free to speak, is a powerful reminder of the creative potential that lies within us all. The notion that this space expands in solitude is a testament to the importance of quiet contemplation and introspection in the creative process.For writers, poets, and artists who are struggling with creative blockages, this concept can be a powerful tool for unlocking their inner voice and finding inspiration. Here are a few ways that this idea can be applied:When we're feeling stuck or uninsp…
Royce Shook
September 12, 2024 Whenever conferring with another either face to face or across the miles—whether a human being, departed spirit, or sentient tree, always speak to the highest within them. It makes such a differenc…
Whenever conferring …
Whenever conferring with another either face to face or across the miles—whether a human being, departed spirit, or sentient tree, always speak to the highest within them. It makes such a difference.Speaking to the highest within another being can have a deep impact on the interaction, regardless of whether it's a human being, a departed spirit, or even a sentient tree. Here's why:When we speak to the highest within another, we're acknowledging and respecting their inherent goodness, Wisdom, and potential. We're recognizing that every being has a spark of divinity within them, and that spar…
Royce Shook
September 11, 2024 A friend I know is grieving, here is part of what he and I talked about the other day. I know that Grief can be a heavy burden to carry. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it's okay to feel over…
A friend I know is g…
A friend I know is grieving, here is part of what he and I talked about the other day. I know that grief can be a heavy burden to carry. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed by the emotions that come with it. I want you to know that you're not alone in this journey, and there are others here to support you every step of the way.I know that it's hard to believe right now, but you will get through this. Grief is a natural part of life, and it's a process that we all go through at some point or another. It's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused - those emotions…
Royce Shook
September 10, 2024 Death. The ultimate buzzkill. It's like, one minute you're sipping margaritas with your BFF, and the next, you're sobbing uncontrollably because they're no longer with you. Yeah, it's a real party poo…
Death. The ultimate …
Death. The ultimate buzzkill. It's like, one minute you're sipping margaritas with your BFF, and the next, you're sobbing uncontrollably because they're no longer with you. Yeah, it's a real party pooper.Death is a natural part of life, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. So, instead of trying to avoid it or pretend it's not happening, let's talk about how to deal with the stress that comes with losing someone we love.The Five Stages of Grief (AKA the Emotional Rollercoaster)You know the drill: denial, anger, bargaining, Depression, and acceptance. Yeah, it's a wild ride, but trust…
Royce Shook
September 9, 2024 Every few years, an advance in Technology comes along that renders the previous technology obsolete. This cycle of innovation has happened countless times throughout history. For example, the steam en…
Every few years, an …
Every few years, an advance in technology comes along that renders the previous technology obsolete. This cycle of innovation has happened countless times throughout history. For example, the steam engine revolutionized transportation, but eventually, cars and airplanes made train Travel less essential.Later, the telegraph enabled relatively quick long-distance communication. However, the telephone's advent rendered the telegraph nearly obsolete. Similarly, in the 1980s and 1990s, every household had a VCR, but the arrival of DVDs and DVD players made VCRs and VHS tapes redundant.This pattern …
Royce Shook
September 8, 2024 
