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Past life regression therapy explained for boomers

Friday, December 19th, 2008

by Dr. Karen for BoomerYearbook.com

 

Past life regression therapy or PLR is based on the principle of re-incarnation. It means that all of us have had many past lives and that life and death are a part of a constant cycle. According to the believers of past life regression therapy a lot of our present problems may result from the cellular memories of our past lives. For instance a phobia of water could be the result of death by drowning in a past life. PLR therapists claim that  unexplained pains and aches in the body, a variety of psychological problems, negative relationships and sometimes even some diseases could be the result of painful or troubled past life memories.

How does PLR therapy work?

Past life regression therapists use clinical hypnosis to delve into their client’s subconscious.  According to believers of PLR, the memories of all our past lives are buried somewhere in our subconscious, we may believe that some of our actions and thoughts are our natural instincts but they are actually directed by our subconscious. For instance an instinctive dislike towards someone could be the result of a negative relationship shared with them in a past life.

The therapist starts a PLR session by inducing a trance like state in the client, then with the help of visual imagery one is supposedly transported to a past life. The client sees images and scenes of a past life (which may be affecting his/her present life) replayed in front of his/her eyes like a movie, some may see it as flashes and to others the images appear as they do in the mind’s eye. The therapist takes the client through the important years of the life they are seeing and finally moves towards the time of the client’s death in the previous life.  The client sees himself/herself dying, feels like he/she is floating towards the sky, with the help of suggestions from the therapist the client is able to see his/her angels. Most people report receiving messages at this stage about the purpose of their previous life and sometimes even about the purpose and problems in their present life; with this the session is concluded and the therapist brings the client out of their trance (hypnosis). People who have undergone this therapy claim that seeing a past life is like standing at a distance and watching yourself, you feel real emotions, yet you know you are only a silent by-stander watching images of a life you have already lived.

It is believed that once you realize that your present problems are the result of painful memories from your past life, you will able to overcome them.

Does it have scientific validity? 

The scientific and the medical world do not endorse and strongly disagree with claims of past life regression therapists. They attribute any positive effects of past life therapy to the placebo effect,  which means that people believe they are getting better because, they are told that  the therapy would help them. Moreover, non-believers also suggest that what people call an “image/scene of a past life” is actually just their imagination and the suggestions from therapists make them feel that their imagination is real. According to psychiatrists sometimes we confuse a lucid dream or vividly imagined experience with an actual memory(these are called false memories). We recall the imagined or dreamt experience as real, even though the event or incident never happened in real life. Past life memories according to many psychiatrists and doctors is exactly that, our imagination which seems real.

So should one believe in it?

Though there is no proven research which suggests that we actually have multiple lives or that our past lives have any affect on our present lives, a lot of people not only believe in this therapy but claim that they have benefitted from it. In fact a famous psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss is one of the most talked about and prominent advocates of this therapy. Yet, if one listens to the voice of so called “rationality” doubts are bound to arise. Moreover all religions do not agree with the concept of re-incarnation either, therefore to believe or not to believe becomes a matter of faith and choice.

Past life regression therapy or PLR is based on the principle of re-incarnation. It means that all of us have had many past lives and that life and death are a part of a constant cycle. According to the believers of past life regression therapy a lot of our present problems may result from the cellular memories of our past lives. For instance a phobia of water could be the result of death by drowning in a past life. PLR therapists claim that  unexplained pains and aches in the body, a variety of psychological problems, negative relationships and sometimes even some diseases could be the result of painful or troubled past life memories.

How does PLR therapy work?

Past life regression therapists use clinical hypnosis to delve into their client’s subconscious.  According to believers of PLR, the memories of all our past lives are buried somewhere in our subconscious, we may believe that some of our actions and thoughts are our natural instincts but they are actually directed by our subconscious. For instance an instinctive dislike towards someone could be the result of a negative relationship shared with them in a past life.

The therapist starts a PLR session by inducing a trance like state in the client, then with the help of visual imagery one is supposedly transported to a past life. The client sees images and scenes of a past life (which may be affecting his/her present life) replayed in front of his/her eyes like a movie, some may see it as flashes and to others the images appear as they do in the mind’s eye. The therapist takes the client through the important years of the life they are seeing and finally moves towards the time of the client’s death in the previous life.  The client sees himself/herself dying, feels like he/she is floating towards the sky, with the help of suggestions from the therapist the client is able to see his/her angels. Most people report receiving messages at this stage about the purpose of their previous life and sometimes even about the purpose and problems in their present life; with this the session is concluded and the therapist brings the client out of their trance (hypnosis). People who have undergone this therapy claim that seeing a past life is like standing at a distance and watching yourself, you feel real emotions, yet you know you are only a silent by-stander watching images of a life you have already lived.

It is believed that once you realize that your present problems are the result of painful memories from your past life, you will able to overcome them.

Does it have scientific validity? 

The scientific and the medical world do not endorse and strongly disagree with claims of past life regression therapists. They attribute any positive effects of past life therapy to the placebo effect,  which means that people believe they are getting better because, they are told that  the therapy would help them. Moreover, non-believers also suggest that what people call an “image/scene of a past life” is actually just their imagination and the suggestions from therapists make them feel that their imagination is real. According to psychiatrists sometimes we confuse a lucid dream or vividly imagined experience with an actual memory(these are called false memories). We recall the imagined or dreamt experience as real, even though the event or incident never happened in real life. Past life memories according to many psychiatrists and doctors is exactly that, our imagination which seems real.

So should one believe in it?

Though there is no proven research which suggests that we actually have multiple lives or that our past lives have any affect on our present lives, a lot of people not only believe in this therapy but claim that they have benefited from it. In fact a famous psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss is one of the most talked about and prominent advocates of this therapy. Yet, if one listens to the voice of so called “rationality” doubts are bound to arise. Moreover all religions do not agree with the concept of re-incarnation either, therefore to believe or not to believe becomes a matter of faith and choice.

Want to learn more about alternative therapies? Sign onto boomeryearbook.com for daily self-help and coaching techniques. Join others at BoomerYearbook.com and let your voice be heard. Boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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Posted in Elderly Problems, Psychological Articles | 1 Comment »

A Daily Dose Of Aspirin May Very Well Treat Your Colon Cancer!

Friday, December 19th, 2008

By Dr. Karen for Boomeryearbook.com

A Daily Dose Of Aspirin May Very Well Treat Your Colon Cancer!

A Daily Dose Of Aspirin May Very Well Treat Your Colon Cancer!

One of the major breakthroughs in the study of potential cancer treatments to date is the use of “everyday aspirin” to reduce the risk and spread of colon cancer. Researchers throughout the world quickly clung to the concept and the study has produced a variety of different results most of which appears “too good to be true”.

At the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, they studied the results of aspirin on over 800 stage three cancer patients. Each of which received standard chemotherapy and surgery, however, a selected few were also given 325mg of aspirin on a regular basis. At the end of the study they found that the group which had taken the aspirin doses showed over 50% reductions in recurrence over the group that only received chemotherapy after surgery. Amazing, right?

In 2003, the New England Journal of Medicine, printed a review of two separate studies and Ernest Hawk’s (chief of gastrointestinal cancer prevention research at the National Cancer Institute) response to them. One of the studies looked at persons who had already been diagnosed with colon cancer. Some of whom were given the standard adult dosage of aspirin (325mg) daily and the others given a placebo pill. They observed the patients for a year, after which they found that the aspirin group had thirty–seven percent (37%) fewer growths developed. The second study looked at persons who had a history of polyps; however, this time a lower dose of aspirin was administered. This produced a nineteen percent (19%) reduction in polyp risk; unfortunately, the regular dose had no benefit. Earnest Hawk reviewed both studies and concluded that there was no good explanation for the difference in dosages, but implored the public to focus on the fact that both studies proved that aspirin in fact has anti-cancerous effects.

Dr. John Baron of Dartmouth Medical School directed a similar study and the results recorded in Yahoo! news in April, of this year. His study was intended to see if aspirin would prevent the recurrence of polyps after the growths have been removed during routine colonoscopies. He found that 80-milligram baby aspirin size taken daily can reduce this risk by nineteen percent (19%); a similar result to the study above. He noted that the dose tested is the same dosage already being taken by millions of average Americans in an attempt to prevent heart attacks. These studies will just prove an additional benefit.

Federal health officials say that they are extremely close to recommending that daily doses of aspirin be considered for patients who have had polyps removed. This suggestion, however, can not be given until they are one hundred percent (100%) sure that aspirin does indeed reduce polyp development. With this in mind they have decided to wait until they receive the results of future studies.

And so the studies continue to prove that just a daily dose of “everyday” aspirin can reduce the development of colon cancer. In the words of researcher, Dr. John Baron, “[while] it’s clear aspirin will not be a magic bullet,” it might very well be the alternative treatment that you have been searching for.

We at Boomer Yearbook are excited and thrilled by the prospect of this type of cancer treatment and will continue to keep our members updated. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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Posted in Baby Boomers Guide to Medical and Mental Health, Elderly Problems, Elderly Problems | 2 Comments »

STANDING ALONE WITH BI POLAR DISORDER

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
STANDING ALONE WITH BI POLAR DISORDER

STANDING ALONE WITH BI POLAR DISORDER

by BoomerYearbook.com

Bi Polar disease is a term that more and more people are beginning to recognize. It is a heart wrenching condition that not only affects the life of the individual afflicted with it but touches the hearts of their family and friends as well. So why is it becoming more familiar? Perhaps because it is being better diagnosed and the general public feel painfully aware and personally touched by its prevalence.

It is devastating in itself when this disease affects an individual with a support system of family and friends. It is almost impossible to comprehend what it must be like for those who stand alone in partnership with this awful disorder. One thing is for certain, neither the disease nor the loneliness is a condition of choice.

If those of us who are fortunate enough not to be touched or affected by Bipolar disorder were to reach out to those who are, then perhaps the suicide rate which is high amongst the patients of this disease, would drop. It is estimated that about 3 – 4% of US adults suffer from it, and that about half of the US suicide deaths are in patients with Bipolar disease. So, if we as individuals sit back and tell ourselves that it does not concern us, we are sadly mistaken.

Not only does it affect us from an emotional and moral point of view, it affects us in indirect ways as well. Aside from the healthcare and treatment costs, it has an impact on the afflicted person’s job and professional life.  Many of these individuals are not able to fend for themselves and function in normal daily routines. This means not being able to work, or provide for themselves and their families. In such cases the government needs to assume the total responsibility; i.e., millions of dollars required from the social services sector to supply food, housing, clothing, educational, and health care costs.

The hope on the horizon for these individuals may very well be lithium based drug treatment.  This therapeutic modality is not new, (it was used in the late 1900’s), and has been successfully used to treat a variety of mental disorders such as bi-polar and borderline personality disorder. However, they are not without side effects. And as technology progresses, so does the new drug treatment market. The question that comes to the fore is have these new medications achieved better treatment goals than their predecessors?  The debate is still out and thus the statistical research continues.

The priority here is to determine if the pharmaceutical treatment has adequately contributed to reduce the suffering experienced by bipolar patients, and in turn their friends and families? Whether directly affected by the disease or not, whether the stricken person is alone or part of a family unit, it is something all of us need to stop and think about. This disease is everybody’s problem because in some way, shape or form it most definitely does affect the community.

Want more tips on Bipolar Disorders? Have a comment or question you’d like to share? Come join others at Boomer Yearbook for information and effective coaching tips and strategies.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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Do you know what your children are doing on the Internet? A Boomeryearbook Must Read

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Do you know what your children are doing on the Internet? A Boomeryearbook Must Read

Do you know what your children are doing on the Internet? A Boomeryearbook Must Read

by Dr. Karen for BoomerYearbook.com

It´s almost Christmas time, so you buy a beautiful digital cam for your daughter, the latest thing in technology, 9 megapixels, cyber-shot, real state of the art; she´s so happy that she starts taking pictures of everything and everyone. You find it just precious and smile while seeing her happy.

So your daughter has a boyfriend off course, girls her age change boyfriends every couple of weeks, after all what do you expect from a 15 year old?  Ok, here’s the rub. This boyfriend asks your daughter to take some “spicy” pics of her, it could be wearing a bikini, or just underwear, or with his name written on her body, your girl obviously takes them because she “loves” her boyfriend, and ta-dah!…. her nightmare begins.

Right now, on the Internet there are thousands of sites with these kinds of pictures from underage girls, mistakenly trusting they would only be seen by their boyfriend… WRONG!, a couple months later the boyfriend breaks up with your daughter and he starts sending those pics to a friend, and this friend to another…. Like a snowball, and no, it is impossible to stop it.

There are “collectors” for these kind of pictures, and they´re even websites dedicated exclusively  for “trading” pictures of this kind; amateur pictures of underage girls! It´s been on TV and in the news, these “collectors” usually go a little bit further and once they find the girl´s contact information they start threatening her in order to get more pictures or cam shows or videos from her… do you understand why I used the word “nightmare” before?

So it could be easy, you can just call the cops on these guys, but the problem is that maybe your daughter will never tell you what´s going on, because she´s afraid and threatened that if she goes to the cops they will send the pictures home, or put them on more sites. There have been cases where the girls were forced to have sexual encounters with these predators.

Yes, it sounds insane, but it´s happening in front of our eyes and we refuse to see it. Most rating sites, or dating, or cam sites like stickam and such don´t bother about this, and if they do, usually they do it when it´s already too late. This kind of care should come from home, not from the websites your children frequent. Parents MUST be aware and be involved; setting and atmosphere of strong family values, attention and a good sexual responsibility.. NO, don´t leave that job to the school alone, BE INVOLVED!

So this Christmas, if you decide to give away a digital camera, or a webcam… think twice about how maturely your child will use his/her present.

 Want more tips on what’s happening in our technologically sophisticated world? Need more simple tips on how to keep your kids safe from Internet nightmares? Come join and get daily tips from Boomer Yearbook.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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Posted in Elderly Problems, Internet Pleasures and Perils | No Comments »

DOES YOUR DOG NEED LEGAL COUNSEL?

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
DOES YOUR DOG NEED LEGAL COUNSEL?

DOES YOUR DOG NEED LEGAL COUNSEL?

by BoomerYearbook.com

If you think that you have heard and seen it all, then you might want to think again. Dogs now have their own legal counsel. Well at least indirectly. These types of specialized legal services are available for pet owners who have legal issues regarding their pets. It really is a great idea, because when you think about it there really are many legalities when it comes to pets. 

There are issues when an apartment owner will not allow animals. Then there are all those dog bite lawsuits, which we read about. Therefore, when you put it this way it really does show a need for specialized law services. We use divorce lawyers all the time for marriage breakdowns. It makes sense to use the services of a pet lawyer for pet issues.

Actually, the kinds of legal issues that require the help of a lawyer can be quite serious. Often if it involves any type of lawsuit and then there are large amounts of money involved, as well as having to have the animal destroyed. Both of these can be quite devastating to the pet owner. 

Everyone needs and should have some type of legal representation when having to attend court. So why not have the best in the field that is pertinent to your case. That is where these dog lawyers have made a smart move by promoting themselves as pet owner legal experts. There certainly will not be any shortage of clients for them. The pet industry is a huge business and the legal sector is just taking a piece of the pie, by tapping into the market with their services.

Non-pet owners probably think that it is just another way for lawyers to make money .They just cannot fathom putting out the type of money that would be required for these services. In fact, though a lost lawsuit could cost the potential client much more than the lawyer’s fees.

When it comes down to it, if you asked most pet owners which is the bigger issue, the chance of having to pay huge sums of money in the event they were to lose the law suit, or the risk of having their pet put to sleep, the latter is going to be the main reply.

Want more tips on pet owners’ rights? Have a comment or question you’d like to share? Come join with others at Boomer Yearbook for simple and effective coaching tips and strategies. Boomers Changed the world! We’re not done yet!

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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Posted in Dog Lovers and Special Families, Elderly Problems | No Comments »

The Secret to Happiness

Saturday, December 6th, 2008
The Secret to Happiness

The Secret to Happiness

By BoomerYearbook.com

 

Everyone wants to be happy!  Money, relationships, power, success, fitness, meditation, spirituality, religion etc. are all ways through which we seek happiness, but happiness often turns elusive! Some of us spend an entire lifetime seeking it…exploring different ways of reaching it, sometimes we find it …at times it disappears before we can reach it! 

Is there secret to happiness? A mysterious path that only a few are aware of?  A path to happiness does exist, but it’s not mysterious, it’s a secret that we are all aware of subconsciously.  There are three important milestones that lead to it.

 Milestones of happiness

 

  • Live in the moment

Happiness lies in the moment, but very few of us actually live in the present.  We either live planning for or worrying about the future or lose touch with the present while mentally dwelling in the past.  If only we could live in the moment we would experience the joy of living. After all it’s only the present which is real. The future is unknown, it does not exist in the now. The past is long gone; its existence over.  When you live in the moment you can laugh without worrying about what tomorrow will bring, you can work without thinking about the results; you can live without the fear of dying! 

 

  • Be Happy now

 

Don’t postpone your happiness! Most of us bind our happiness in  terms and conditions. We tellourselves we’ll be happy once we have achieved this goal or fulfilled that wish. Yet, the moment we reach our desired goal, we set up a new one and tell ourselves that we’ll find happiness only when we reach the new goal and so on and on. We tempt ourselves with the promise of being happy but never keep our word.  For instance, you may tell yourself, “God! Just let me get that job and I’ll be the happiest person in the world!” Fate favors you and you get the job, so you should be happy now, but alas! Happiness is not so simple for us humans.  You’d probably then tell yourself “alright now that I have  the job, I’ll be really happy once I get that promotion!” and the terms and conditions never end. To be happy, make a choice, of being happy now with whatever you have.

 

  • Appreciate life. Appreciate yourself

 

Envying others seems to be a long held habit! It starts from childhood and goes on for the rest of our lives. “Oh! He’s got a better toy!”. “Boohoo! She got better grades! ”  “Damn! He got the job I wanted! “Their relationship seems so perfect, why can’t I have something like that!” “Their children visit them so often!” Cry, cry, cry, that’s all we do. We compare ourselves to others, see what they’ve got and spend a lifetime feeling sorry for ourselves. Truth is, no matter how much you’ve got there’ll always be someone who has more!  Wouldn’t it be nicer if we accepted and appreciated what we have? Counting our blessings is a sure shot way to achieve happiness.  Appreciate yourself for who you are, celebrate every little accomplishment, and celebrate every cherished relationship. Live in the Now, and you’ll find joy in every moment.

Happiness is not something that we need to chase, it lies within us. We have the power to make our lives beautiful; all that we need to do is to realize it.

Feeling stressed by the holiday season, but daring to believe you are able to unlock the secrets of happiness? Sign onto boomeryearbook.com for daily self-help and coaching techniques. Join others at BoomerYearbook.com and let your voice be heard. Boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

Boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit

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Posted in Baby Boomers Guide to Medical and Mental Health, Elderly Problems, Psychological Articles | 2 Comments »

The Hollywood Sex Symbol: Yesterday and Today

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

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“Happy birthday…..Mr. President. Happy birthday….Mr President…..” softly croons Marilyn Monroe, May 19, 1962 for then President John F. Kennedy at a celebration for his forty-fifth birthday. A vision in a sheer, flesh colored Jean Louis dress with 2500 rhinestones sewn into it and so tight-fitting that Monroe had to be literally sewn into it. Ms Monroe was every man’s dream in the 40s and 50s; the bombshell blond, with curves to kill, legs that seemed to go on forever and an ingenuously wide-eyed stare that made her seem so attainable but at the same time so far out of your reach.

Norma Jean as she was born was arguably the most delectable sex symbol of the last century. This iconic beauty oozed sex appeal that was classically captured in the promotional photo for the movie “The Seven Year Itch” with Tom Ewell, where she steps onto a subway grating while wearing a billowing white dress. Following in her high-heeled footsteps were the likes of Ava Gardner, ” The Love Goddess” along with Rita Hayworth, Jayne Mansfield, and Mamie Van Doren; strong, sexy women who made no apologies for the effect they had on men.

While New Hollywood may have a few young starlets that radiate that understated but vivacious sex appeal of their predecessors, Scarlet Johanssen springs to mind, Tinseltown has embraced the “a lot less is a lot more” philosophy when it comes to affairs of the wardrobe. The end of the last century and the beginning of this one saw the rise of another blond bombshell; a vision in a low cut bright red backless swimsuit, a brand new double D bust running in slow motion on a sunny Californian beach. Pamela Anderson is the generation X’s Norma Jean; sassy, athletic, with girl next door charms and a cup size that would put any prize melon to shame.

It is easy to name all the female sex symbols who have had their spotlight in Hollywood; but it is not so easy for the gentlemen who heat up the stage and screen in the last century. Rudolph Valentino is considered the first male sex symbol in Hollywood. Known as the “Latin Lover” he was one of the most popular stars of the 1920s and one of the most recognized actors from the silent movie era.
Paul Newman could easily be the man that summed up what old Hollywood sex appeal really was. Searing blue eyes, rugged blond locks, the ultimate debonair charmer. But his sex appeal didn’t only come from his captivating good looks, Paul Newman was known for his humility, decency, generosity and class; traits that set the bar high for the young trailblazers of today.

While the women of the 40s through the 60s swooned for the likes of Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, Paul Newman and Cary Grant in full 3 piece tuxedos, impeccable dinner jackets, close shaves and slicked back hair, the dot-com generation swoons for the likes of “grungier” actors such as Johnny Depp. The swash-buckling maverick known for his off-beat roles was recently named “The Sexiest Man Alive” by Cosmopolitan Magazine. Contrary to the polished gentleman stars of yesteryear, Depp is famous for his disheveled and trashy fashion sense, multiple tattoos, and rugged “just crawled out of bed” coif.

But whether it be Marilyn’s legs or Pam’s bosom; Fred Astaire in a top hat and tails or Johnny’s five o’clock shadow, the sex symbols of Hollywood past and present always leave us begging for more.

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Have your own favorite Hollywood Hunk you beg to hear more about? Come join us at www.boomeryearbook.com and continue our trip down memory lane.

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Putting a Price on the Past

Friday, October 24th, 2008

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Today’s marketplace moves at the speed of light. It offers both speed and convenience, allowing us to free up a little more precious time throughout the day. While much can be said for the modern way of doing business, it also comes with a price attached. The cost of today’s speed and convenience is the loss of yesterday’s personal service and interactions.

Unlike the generations of our children and grandchildren, as Baby Boomers we have been lucky enough to experience the benefits of both times. This is a double-edged sword, however, because we also felt the loss of something valuable from our childhoods when the old ways of doing business ceased to exist. Back when we were kids, the closest thing to superstores was the department store. Unlike today’s department stores, however, many of the department stores of the past were independent and locally owned. This was even truer of your hometown’s grocery store, bank, and gas station. Of course, some cities had multiple stores that sold the same things – groceries or gas, for example – but each one was owned as a separate “mom and pop” store.

One of the rare exceptions to the individually owned department store during our childhood was Woolworth’s. There was one in almost every town, and many of us ate at their lunch counter as kids. Remember when lunch cost you less than a dollar? (If not, check out the menu below to refresh your memory.) You were able to buy lots of other things with a dollar, too. In the late 1950s, it was the price of a movie ticket, four gallons of gas, or five loaves of bread. Then again, the average yearly salary was only about five thousand dollars. Regardless, it boils down to this: the prices of our childhood no longer exist, but the time period they belong to will always be priceless.

Have a memory you’d like to share? Continue your trip down memory lane at Boomer Yearbook.

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Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

Friday, October 24th, 2008

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Three be the things I shall have until I die:

Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

- Dorothy Parker

Shaky financial markets, political mistrust, and unpredictable encounters with an international source. Haven’t we seen this before? Plummeting stocks and rising unemployment are nothing to make light of, of course, but as a Baby Boomer it’s easy to spot the similarities between our country’s current predicament and the ones we have already lived to tell about.

Truth be told, I think we Boomers deserve smooth sailing from here on out. Didn’t we follow President Kennedy’s lead when he told us, his fellow Americans, to ask what we could do for our country, rather than what our country could do for us? As a generation, I know we did. We’ve handled some hairy situations before, and quite well, I might add. We made it through Communism, the Vietnam War, and Watergate, only to arrive at….well, the Starr Report, two Iraq wars, and the financial market meltdown. Are these the circu

mstances under which we Boomers are supposed to enter into our Golden Years? If so, no thanks – I think I’d rather go through McCarthyism again.

Then again, our generation – or at least some of its members – played at least a partial role in the recent economic debacle. In fact, some of its most notorious players are card-carrying members of the Boomer generation, including many of the Congressional Democrats and Republicans who acted like unruly siblings instead of getting down to the business of drafting a bailout plan. Despite this, however, I believe we can still hold our heads high. (Thinking back to grade school, there was always a cheater or a bully in every class, but most of us did our own work and played well with others).

Although some of you pessimistic Boomers might resist, try to look on the bright side. As Boomers, we are 78 million members strong. Our generation is a living example of hope and embodies a spirit of renewal, rising out of the ashes of the two World Wars. Due to a rapid series of medical advances over the last several decades, our average lifespan is now 85 years old. We are the first generation to experience this significantly increased lifespan, not to mention a better quality of life as we age.

Still waiting for the other shoe to drop? Don’t bother. Go ahead and deal proactively with the things you can control, but don’t waste time worrying about the things you can’t. Want a second opinion? According to noted psychologist Arnold H. Glasgow, “the future is the past returning through another gate.” In an ironic twist that backs up Dr. Glasgow’s statement, the Associated Press reported on its website yesterday that the financial fallout in this country has a surprising upside. Gas prices have dropped to just under $88 per barrel; the last time they were this low was exactly a year ago, in October 2007.

Want to contribute your two cents? Continue the conversation and take a trip down memory lane at Boomer Yearbook.

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Fashion Trends: Everything Old is New Again

Friday, October 24th, 2008

By Dr. Karen for Boomeryearbook.com

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It’s no big secret that fashion recycles its old trends. Ask any fashion slave, and she’ll be happy to confirm that the styles are cyclical. Currently, this fashion practice seems to be taking place more than ever. Recent fashion is taking its clothing cues from numerous 20th century styles, running the gamut from the 1950s through the 1980s.

What does this mean for us Baby Boomers?

Whether you once wished you were old enough to be a Beatnik or a teenybopper, or as a teenager turned into a hippie or a Mod, you’ll easily spot some of the fashion elements from your formative years in today’s trends.

Still have a pair of cigarette pants stashed away? Go find them, because they are today’s skinny jeans. Same goes for 1960s-era pyramid coats, A-line shift dresses, and pea coats.

If tracksuits, tweeds or fringed boots from the 1970s were more your style, you’re in luck. Those are back in, too. You might also want to look through your closet for 1970s granny skirts, peasant blouses, and anything resembling the hippie look. It’s all the rage again, only now it’s called bohemian style.

Feel silly wearing this look? Give it to your trendy daughter in college, she’ll know what to do with it.

All of this fashion “borrowing” from past trends may seem to cast current style makers in a lazy light, but it has been common practice for ages. The hippie and Mod looks of the 1960s borrowed elements from the 1920s flapper style. The 1980s “big shoulders” look was a throwback to the 1940s.

Yes, the term for hip huggers is now low-rise jeans and Mohawks became faux-hawks, but everyone knows they come from our generation. Remember what your mother said? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Baby Boomers, consider yourselves complimented.

Have something to add to this story? Continue your trip down memory lane at Boomer Yearbook.

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