A great Second half 

BY: Laurie MacKenzie

It is heartwarming to know that there are so many people 
with the courage to try to find new answers on living the 
second half of our lives. I have been reading numerous books 
on the subject and have gathered a lot of the wisdom from 
the research that is being done in this area.  Most people 
think that health and financial resources drive the level of 
happiness they will have as they age.  However, studies have 
shown that the greatest drivers for successful aging, 
regardless of individual financial or health situations are:

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL SECOND HALF OF LIFE:

1. Having a sense of purpose that engages you in life and 
   continued growth.

2. Developing an organized, structured way of pursuing 
   activities you find meaningful.

3. Having rewarding, intimate relationships with family and 
   friends.

4. Accepting the losses that come with aging, but focusing on 
   the gains that come with growing older.  

These ideas seem simple, but as we all know, they are easier 
said than done.  

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NEW REALITIES OF AGING in the 21st century:  
How to accept the inevitable, prevent the preventable, and treat 
the treatable.

2. DEVELOPING A LIFE PLAN for living the second half of your life:
Discovering and pursuing a structured path that gives your life 
meaning, renewing and developing rewarding relationships, and 
ensuring that you have the financial and physical strength to 
accomplish your goals.

3.  RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN: There are many
services and organizations that will help you realize 
your dreams (i.e. volunteer organizations, employers who are 
"age friendly" and/or offer flexible work schedules, health 
services, educational opportunities, support groups, etc.).

                                             
Applied Systems Thinking:                                
A Systemic Approach to Stress Busting
                                                
Susan M. Osborn, Ph.D.

  Up to 90% of all visits to physicians are for stress-related
ailments. A recent survey by USA TODAY indicated that 78% of 
American workers are more stressed than a decade ago.  Many 
report they feel irritable and fatigued; their jobs are 
undermining their spirit and well-being.
        
  Burnout used to be seen as an individual problem.  People 
who experienced physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion from 
overwork were encouraged to enroll in stress management classes.  
Increasingly, however, experts are recognizing that one of the 
major contributors to stress is a mismatch between employees 
and their organizations.  For example, instances of burnout are 
high in situations where the business practices of a corporation
conflict with the beliefs and values of the employees.
        
 Using a multi-system typological model this approach 
offers a scheme for assessing the degree of match between 
individuals and organizations.  The discussion covered five 
personal profiles, five organizational character types, and 
the elements required to ensure a good match.  The objective 
is to recognize burnout as an expensive workplace problem 
that will take both an individual and an organizational 
effort to solve.


Dr. Osborn is a college professor and publisher of: 
THE SYSTEM MADE 
ME DO IT! A LIFE CHANGING APPROACH TO OFFICE POLITICS. 
Her articles will be featured on our newest SERIOUS SIDE OF
LIFE section. 

SECTION 5: ANNOUCEMENT - COMMUNITIES

      
The Baby Boomer Club takes an active part 
    in our communities, particular when it involves our youth.  
    On the anniversary of Woodstock, Saturday, August 15, 1998, 
    the Club will host a 4K walk in our capital city, Washington 
    D.C.  This event will benefit three organizations dedicated 
    to the care of orphan children. Although this event was 
    planned before Princess Dianna's death, BBC will dedicate
    it in her honor to her memory. 

    Call the Club at 1-888-477-CLUB or email Thebbcclub@aol.com
    By Wendy Thompson of http://babyboomerclub.com

SECTION 6: BOOMER OF THE MONTH

 Wendy is our March 
Boomer of The Month

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