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Peace of Mind Post September 2025 Think You’re Too Old? Think Again The Truth About Healthy Aging
When you hear the word “aging,” what comes to mind? For many, it conjures images of slowing down, aches and pains, and isolation. But what if I told you that much of what we accept as “normal” aging is actually a myth and that vibrant, joyful, active living well into our 70s, 80s, and beyond is not only possible but within reach? September is Healthy Aging Month, and it’s the perfect time to reframe what it means to grow older.
Here’s a powerful truth: Aging is mainly a mindset. Just ask my friend, Patti. She is well into her 70’s, and she’s doing what most wouldn’t even try in their 40s: riding horses, jumping rope, and staying active every day. Her energy and vitality are inspiring and proof that we don’t have to quietly retreat into a sedentary lifestyle just because the candles on our birthday cake are adding up. Sure, physical limitations can be real. But often, the biggest limitation is our belief that we should slow down. That we’re “too old” for this or that. Somewhere along the way, our culture started selling the idea that aging equals decline, and it’s our time to step aside, sit down, and take it easy. But here’s the truth: Those beliefs are aging us far more than our actual age ever could. If mindset alone isn’t enough to convince you, recent research just might be. Scientists have now confirmed a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, a nutritious diet, and brain-stimulating activities like memory and problem-solving exercises can actually delay or even prevent cognitive decline in individuals who carry the Alzheimer’s gene variant. That’s groundbreaking! In fact, the number one way to reduce your risk of cognitive decline is to get moving. It doesn’t have to be a marathon. A walk around the block, dancing in your kitchen, and light yoga all count. The key is to move your body and engage your mind each andevery day. In decades of working with aging populations, one lesson stands out: You’re only as old as you think. The people who flourish with age are those who never let a number define what they’re capable of. They keep learning, stay social, and
push their boundaries. They don’t “act their age”; instead, they act according to their passions, curiosity, and goals. So, this Healthy Aging Month, I challenge you to toss out your limiting beliefs. Stop “thinking old.” Start thinking empowered, vibrant, and full of life. If you’re ready to take charge of your aging journey, don’t miss the Aging and Wellness Symposium, a one-of-a-kind event designed to help you thrive in every area of your life. LOCATION: New Beginnings Church, 13226 Leslie Rd., Meadville, PA 16335 DATE: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. COST: Free to the public! (Lunch included) This community-focused event brings together over 40 vendors and expert panel speakers covering: Physical and Mental Health: Boost your wellness with science-backed insights. Financial and Legal Planning: Learn how to secure your future and avoid scams. Long-Term Care and Caregiving: Discover your options and available resources. Spiritual and Emotional Wellness: Because health is more than just physical. Whether you’re looking to stay fit, plan wisely, or simply connect with others, the Aging & Wellness Symposium is your pathway to proactive aging.
My Friend Patti Staying Active Riding Her Horse
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I didn’t fully understand caregiver guilt, which is so prominent, until I was thrown into it myself. There’s this constant pressure to do everything right, be strong, and never miss a beat. But when you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, there’s no perfect rulebook. That’s where guilt creeps in. When Everything Feels Like It’s Too Much Recently, my father ended up in the hospital, and at the same time, I came down with pneumonia. I honestly think it happened because I was already getting sick and didn’t slow down. When Caregivin
When a 10-year-old basset hound fled from her neglectful home, she didn’t just rescue herself from abuse and poor conditions; she ended up saving more than 30 other animals from unimaginable suffering. Hero, as she’s since been named, was in bad shape when animal rescuers first discovered her. Emaciated and dirty, her overgrown nails had twisted, making it painful for her to walk. She had a painful bladder infection and heartworms. Despite the pain she was in, she made a daring escape, and her ID tag led animal control to a house of horrors. Officers found 36 other dogs, a chicken, and a cat at the location, suffering from various ailments and signs of abuse. Some animals lived in small, dirty cages; others had injuries and signs of malnutrition. All of them were dirty and had a medical issue of some kind. It was clear they needed help. The Humane Society of Concord took in 15 of the dogs, including Hero, and other local rescues housed the rest. When the sad story of these neglected dogs reached the community, people heard the call and donated funds to help cover their medical and care costs. If it had not been for Hero’s life-saving feat, there’s How a Senior Hound’s Escape Changed Dozens of Lives JAILBREAK FOR JUSTICE
I just kept pushing because that’s what caregivers do, right? We show up. We manage meds, doctor visits, emotional breakdowns, and all the unpredictable moments Alzheimer’s brings. We put everyone else first, until our bodies finally say, “Enough.” The Internal Battle When it comes to caregiver guilt, there’s always a little voice in your head that questions everything:
“Did I do enough?” or “Did I miss something?” Even when you’ve done everything possible, you
no telling what would have become of her furry friends. The shelter that named her Hero even gave her a last name, Salvare, which means to save and protect. They described her as “a friendly girl with the softness of a sweet old lady” who deserved a quiet home as she recovered. Hero has since found her forever home and was adopted the next day after the shelter searched for a new owner. Thanks to the kind and persevering
hound, many other dogs from the home have also been adopted. “Despite Hero’s sad backstory, she’s proof that dogs are resilient
creatures that only show love that is unconditional,” the shelter wrote.
Hero may have started as a victim, but she ended a chapter of abuse as a rescuer. Her quiet bravery saved her and transformed the lives of dozens of others, proving that even in the darkest places, hope can come on four legs and floppy ears.
Puzzle Time!
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ng Hurts
Facing Guilt You Never Saw Coming
still second-guess yourself. That’s the thing about caregiver guilt; it doesn’t always come from making a mistake. Sometimes, it comes from trying to be everything, all the time. When you finally do take time to rest, you may even feel selfish. But here’s the truth: Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. A New Kind of Respect This experience may have given you a new respect for caregivers, especially those who show up daily without recognition. Alzheimer’s care is relentless. It can chip away at the person you love, and if you’re not careful, it chips away at you, too. But you can learn to give yourself grace and ask for help. And you can begin to let go of the idea that you must be perfect because you certainly don’t. Learning to Let Go of the Guilt So, if you’re feeling the weight of this enormous responsibility, know you’re not alone. You can talk about it and cry if you need to, but it’s important to slow down. You can’t care for anyone if you’re running on empty.
Rethinking Positive Thinking The Rainbow in the Storm I’ll be honest: I’ve had a complicated relationship with the phrase “positive thinking.” It felt like people tossed it around as a bandage for real problems for the longest time. “Just think positive!” they’d chirp, and I’d want to scream, “It’s not that simple!” But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the powerful difference between genuine positive thinking and the shallow version we often confuse it with, what some refer to as toxic positivity, where people pretend everything’s fine when it’s clearly not and may even deny struggle. Real positive thinking is choosing where to place your focus. I remember a moment this hit home for me: I was out walking my dog, and as I looked to one side, storm clouds loomed. It was dark, moody, and a little ominous. But when I looked the other way, a beautiful rainbow was arching across the sky. It was on the same walk, seeing both at same time, but the views were opposites. That’s what positive thinking feels like. It’s not pretending the storm doesn’t exist. It’s knowing a rainbow might be forming even in the middle of it. For me, that often shows up as gratitude. It’s all about finding something good, even when things are difficult. Life will never be easy all the time. We all have days when everything feels upside down. But what I’ve learned, and what I try to remind myself on days when I’m spiraling, is that we can still find meaning, beauty, or peace amid the chaos. We can direct our thoughts toward the light instead of the dark. So, on National Positive Thinking Day on Sept. 13, I’m not pretending everything is perfect. But I am celebrating the fact that I get to choose how I respond, and I can acknowledge the challenging stuff while still making space for hope, joy, and gratitude.
It’s okay to be human!
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
If you’ve never tried looking for the rainbow in your storm, maybe today’s a good time to start.
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Inside 1
Healthy Aging Starts in Your Mind
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One Dog’s Daring Escape Uncovered a Nightmare Letting Go of Guilt in Alzheimer’s Care Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak Positive Thinking and the Power of Perspective
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The War Over a Wooden Bucket
If you’ve spent any time studying history, you know it is full of strange moments. But did you know a war was once fought over a wooden bucket? It might sound like something straight out of a cartoon, but it’s an actual story from history. In the 14th century, two Italian city-states, Modena and Bologna, found themselves in a heated feud. Tensions had been brewing between the two for years, but one act sent them over the edge. That tipping point? A bucket. According to legend, Modenese soldiers snuck into Bologna and swiped an oaken bucket from the town well. Bologna wanted it back, but Modena wouldn’t budge. The outraged Bolognese responded with all-out war. If you think this sounds too absurd to be true, you’re not alone. Of course, the bucket wasn’t really the issue. The groundwork for the War of the Bucket was laid more than 200 years before the actual battle. Still, the bucket story is true. And yes, they fought a war. The outnumbered Modenese were the victors, and the conflict claimed the lives of around 2,000 men from both sides. What historians still don’t know for sure, though, is whether the bucket was taken before the battle or afterward as a trophy, but Modena still has it to this day. If you ever visit the city, you can see it on display in Modena’s town hall, where it sits as a reminder that even small things can spark big events. When a Bucket Sparked a War
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