How many times have you heard that?  As excerpted from a great article by Shane Kreider, you probably have heard that expression a lot.  And guess what, “From a financial viewpoint, it means our money has to last ten years longer, but we also have ten extra years to make it. It also means we have ten extra years to apply our entrepreneurial skills to make us happy.”

According to Shane, “The expression also has a scientific explanation. It’s a different way of looking at age - it’s not how long you’ve lived, it’s how long you’ve got left. As our expected life span gets longer, ‘middle age’ happens later; some say we are therefore in the same cycle of life at 40 that our parents were in at 30. And as our life span is supposed to continue to increase, middle age is coming later and later. Expected life span is different from country to country but in Germany, for example, scientists say that by 2050, middle age (for Germans) will begin around age 52.”

And there is also a great way to look at this and that is about the attitude you have.  Many of us refuse to buy into the idea of “getting older”.  I personally feel the same way now as I did at 30.  Maybe there are some bones cracking more often, but in my mind, I am 30.  I have another 50 years at least, to learn, grow, prosper and excel in all my life areas. 

So as Shane says, “If you get out of bed some mornings feeling old, remember this: scientifically speaking, you’re actually ten years younger. Then have a good day.”

Steps 5 - Be Optimistic

…and it can change your life in dramatic ways!

No, it’s not those expletives you shout when things don’t turn out your way – when life spits out a situation that you hadn’t asked for. When your auto dealership gets closed, when that pink slip is yours, or when you don’t qualify for that home loan.

But it is a word that can turn all those bad words and thoughts into better ones. That word is HOPE. If your life is filled with uncertainty, allow for the possibility that things will get better.

How to get started? Maybe you start small. Pick an area where you can make progress right away and you can tackle the more difficult tasks later on.

Worried about your finances? OK. Make a list of all your expenses. Then, look at your income and see where you need to make changes. Think “Swiss cheese.” Poke enough holes; eventually you will get through the cheese.

This simple, little 4-letter word can turn your life from upside down to upside UP. It can pull you out of darkness and help you to stand in the light.

STEP 3 – MAKE ROOM FOR THE MAGIC

It’s real easy. Let me tell you how. First, you invite some friends over for dinner. Don’t go out. That’s not fashionable anymore. Then you make for them everything you love you eat – rib eye steak, mashed potatoes, corn, a small lettuce salad, and a totally decadent chocolate cake with coffee icing for dessert. And don’t forget the Hagen Dazs ice cream.

It’s really that simple. Of course, you have to bake the cake yourself so you can eat a cup of batter before it goes into the pan, and, the same with the icing. Maybe not so much so with the icing. It is sweet, and besides, we do have some limits.

And finally, have plenty of wine to serve. Drink wine before, during, and after dinner. Any kind is fine. It doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy it, you feel good, and that there is a lot around.

So when you get up the next day, like I just did – Voila – 5 fresh, new, happy pounds to join an already expanding waist.

But, wait! I forgot something. I forgot that I don’t live that way anymore. I’m not that person that I just described. I’m someone who lives with a “massively abundant” state of consciousness and that I CHOOSE to eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, get exercise, and feel great about myself.

What happened? I simply forgot. I let my lower self take over my higher self. It was easy. It was simple. The pleasure was immediate. I forgot that I need to stick with the VISION for my life. No. I don’t NEED to. I WANT TO. I want “Massive Abundance” in my life. It is who I am created to be. It is mine. I choose it!

Recommendation? Stay out of the kitchen!

STEP 1 – PAINT YOUR PASSIONATE PICTURE!

Want to ruin every relationship you have? Then just play fair.
Dr. Henry Cloud, a well known author and psychologist, claims that this idea is absolutely critical to all types of partnerships – business, marriages, etc. Here’s how it works:

Let’s say that you and your spouse go to counseling because you just don’t get along. You are fighting all the time and nothing gets resolved. You both believe in “tit for tat”. If you are nice to me, I will be nice to you. If you say something mean to me, then I will say something mean to you. If you say you love me, then I will say I love you too. Sound familiar? Well, this works fine until the communication breaks down, then nothing gets resolved.

So here is what you can do. Just GIVE MORE! Suppose you are sick and tired of always being the mature one. It’s time that he steps up to the plate. You have spent the last 6 weeks always being nice and because you have been nice, he’s been nice as well. Then something goes haywire, and he blows up. And then you blow up as well, since he broke the “being nice” contract. Then you are off to the races again.

Since you might be the more mature one – in this instance – then the responsibility is on you to give more. It is not about who is right or wrong, it is about getting the relationship to a higher level where you can get issues resolved and you can move forward.

Ask yourself what can be done to fix this? How can we improve that? Get beyond your own need. There may be a time when you aren’t able to be at that level and your partner might step in. Unmet needs create frustration, and if both parties have unmet needs simultaneously, then nothing gets resolved.

Sometimes we like “tit for tat” because it implies predictability in relationships. But that is really codependent and can lead to disastrous results. Instead of doing what you might normally do in responding – blame, argue, point fingers – do the opposite. Don’t withdraw, get closer. Don’t disagree, agree. Before you know it, the issue will go away and the two of you can move on to a more healthy, interdependent relationship.

Step 7 – Give Back