Friendships

In the book about downsizing called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, it’s suggested that you discard items in your home that don’t bring you joy. The same could be said about friends, I suppose…

Although frustrating, experiencing guilt isn’t all bad. Guilt is a natural emotion that plays a crucial role in keeping our moral compass tuned. But when guilt becomes excessive, irrational, or is used by someone else to try to control our actions, it can become a big problem…

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Some pop into your life for just a short while, others stay forever. Some you see every day, while others may be far away and you see them once in a while, but, when you do, it is as though you saw them yesterday. I feel very blessed…

A few years ago I had a long term friendship come to an end. Four decades of love, laughter and jokes, gone. I felt as though someone had removed a part of my heart. However, that experience both taught me important life lessons…

Have you ever felt guilty saying ‘no’ to someone you care about? Or found yourself awake at night, worried about a friend’s problems? You’re not alone. While many of us understand the concept of boundaries in relationships, putting them into practice – especially…

Many of us share common fears as we enter retirement. We fear financial challenges, failing health and feelings of disconnectedness as we grow older. The good news is that there is one strategy which can help us effectively face all three – living with roommates…

The old quote by Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” bears attention, even in our ThirdThird (ages 60-90). A few years ago, I was in a period of change, going from one type of work to another, and this quote helped me go forward…

Social anxiety is common, but potentially devastating. It can cause introverts like me to struggle making friends and attending events. Can you relate? Couple that with living in a foreign country (I live in Ecuador), and you have a recipe for potential isolation and…

If you are like most people, you probably think that an extrovert is someone who is loud and gregarious – the kind of person who is comfortable in any social situation. The truth is somewhat more complicated. Do you think that it is possible to be an introvert in some situations and an extrovert in others? Or, do you believe in the “energy” explanation of introversion/extroversion? Do you think that knowing whether we are an introvert or an extrovert helps us to understand ourselves better? Why or why not?

It’s safe to say that once you’ve reached your 60s you have some life experience. Some of those experiences are wonderful and bear reflection and retelling. They bring happiness and joy to you, can make those around you smile, and can create a connection…