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Driver’s Ed, Family Style STEERING THROUGH THE PARENTING ZONE Agents For Life
Parenting is not for the faint of heart. And if you’ve ever doubted that, just try teaching a teenager how to drive. Few things will test your patience (or your heart rate!) quite like sitting in the passenger seat while your child guides a 4,000-pound mass of metal through traffic for the first time. When the time came for our kids to start learning, all kinds of questions went through our heads. If we don’t teach them, how will we know they’re ready to take the wheel and hit the road safely on their own? And if we do teach them, will we have the patience to explain things clearly without barking last-second commands? Could we stay calm when they nearly kill us for the third time in a single afternoon? It turns out, personalities matter … a lot. Kids tend to drive the way they live. Some are cautious and careful, always checking before making a move. Others throw themselves into the experience headfirst with no fear and a heavy foot. Parents have their own tendencies. Some can calmly coach through a mistake. Others let nerves take over and make the situation worse by reacting emotionally. And some personalities just don’t mix under pressure.
Teaching a teen to drive can quickly settle the debate over whether yelling helps anything. It doesn’t. One thing we hadn’t expected, though, was how much we took for granted after decades behind the wheel. Some things we hadn’t thought about in years suddenly needed full explanations. We found ourselves trying to describe how to merge onto a crowded street, how hard to brake, and how to read another driver’s mistake before it happened. Parking of all things became a recurring adventure. There’s nothing like watching your teenager try to angle into a parking space. (Hint: It’s not a straight line from where you start.) We also had to let go of the idea that every kid could master the clutch before wearing one out. We learned pretty quickly that each kid needed something different from us. One might be okay with steady instructions, while another would shut down if you said too much. There was no one-size-fits-all strategy. What worked one day didn’t always work the next. You start to see what they respond to, and then you try to meet them where they are.
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro
Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
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November/December 2025
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In our case, Dad took on most of the driving lessons, while Mom stayed back and offered encouragement from a safer distance. It turned out to be a good balance, and we were lucky. All five of our kids turned into safe, capable drivers. That said, there are still nights when David wakes up yelling, “The brakes, the brakes!” Some memories leave a mark. Despite the stress, the white-knuckle moments, and the extra gray hairs, we’d do it all over again. Teaching our kids to drive was just another part of helping them become independent. And like most parts of parenting, it was messy, memorable, and more rewarding than we expected. –David and Irma Bennett
What’s Really in Your Control? SHIFTING FROM CHAOS TO CLARITY
Some people go through life feeling like they’re always reacting to whatever the world throws at them. Others feel more like they’re behind the wheel, steering through the ups and downs with a sense of purpose and direction. That difference comes down to something psychologists call locus of control, and it can affect everything, from how we deal with stress to how we define success. If you feel you can control outside forces and that your decisions and actions can affect outcomes, you have what psychologists call an internal locus of control. If you lean this way, you often take responsibility for your choices and believe your efforts matter. With
an external locus, you’re more likely to feel like life just happens to you. Your circumstances, the people around you, or even just bad luck get most of the credit or the blame. While we likely lean one way more than the other, none of us has 100% internal or external locus of control. You can think of it as a continuum. Most of us lie somewhere in between the extremes. And to be fair, some things really are out of our control. Random happenings occur daily, but the more we focus on the things that are in our hands, the more grounded and resilient we tend to become.
chaos of life gets thrown our way? Start with the small stuff that you always have control over. That includes what time you go to bed and get up, the energy you bring to relationships, and how you respond to frustrating situations. When you focus more on these areas of life, it reminds you of your personal agency and helps shift your perspective. Ultimately, we may not get to choose every situation we find ourselves in, but we do have a say in how we show up. When things feel off-track, ask yourself, “What part of this is within my control?” That simple question can be enough to move you from stuck to steady and help you see that you have more power than you thought.
So, what can we do to hold onto that sense of control when the
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Find Your Rhythm in Retirement BUILD A RETIREMENT ROUTINE THAT FEELS RIGHT
Retirement is a well-earned chapter in life, but transitioning to it can feel like stepping into the unknown. After decades of routines built around work, it’s easy to feel adrift. Fortunately, structure can go a long way in finding your freedom. Start With Purpose Waking up with something to look forward to is one of the simplest ways to infuse your day with purpose. Whether it’s reading the newspaper, taking a morning walk, or working toward a long-held dream, these purposeful starts add rhythm to your day. Set small goals that excite you: Learn a new hobby, volunteer in your community, or dive
into a creative project you’ve always wanted to try. Learning and progress feel good at any age.
complete with your favorite breakfast and a bit of movement, can kick-start your day with energy and intention. End your day with a relaxing ritual to wind down, reflect, or connect with loved ones. Keep It Fresh Avoid falling into autopilot mode. Challenge yourself to try something new regularly, whether exploring a new walking path, attending a local workshop, or picking up a new skill. Your retirement life should be anything but dull. This is your time to thrive!
Balance Planning With Play Planning isn’t about creating a
rigid schedule; it’s about sprinkling your calendar with things you love. Doctor appointments and errands can sit comfortably beside lunch dates, gardening time, or a painting session. Mix the predictable with the spontaneous. After all, retirement is your time, so make it flexible and fun. Reimagine Your Routine Establishing new routines adds a sense of comfort and control. A consistent morning routine,
Baked Pineapple Salmon
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blood pressure. Smiling is even associated with a decrease in inflammation and a stronger immune system. The endorphins that a smile releases are also natural painkillers. That means you may be able to get some relief from your next headache by grinning through the discomfort. So, if you find yourself holding back a smile, try it anyway. Smiling is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and those around us.
INGREDIENTS • 1 can pineapple slices, drained, reserving 1/4 cup of juice • 2 1/2 lb side of salmon • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted • 4 tbsp hoisin sauce • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped • Lime slices
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 3. Place pineapple slices on baking sheet. 4. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and lay over pineapple. 5. In a small bowl, whisk together chili
sauce, melted butter, hoisin sauce, garlic cloves, lemon, and pineapple juice. Pour over salmon. 6. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through. 7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime slices.
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Inside This Issue
1 Life Lessons Behind the Wheel 2 Finding Control in Uncertainty 3 Reimagine a Retirement Routine That Works for You 3 Baked Pineapple Salmon 4 The Surprising Benefits of Smiling
THE SMILE EFFECT
You probably don’t think about it much, but one simple smile can change the course of your
Just seeing someone else smile can cause our brains to release those same mood-boosting chemicals. That’s why smiling tends to spread quickly. If a friend or stranger smiles at you, it’s hard not to return it, and both people get a lift. A genuine smile can also help us feel comfortable and safe in social settings. We’re much more likely to perceive someone as friendly and trustworthy when they have a smile on their face. And that can extend into professional settings as well. In the workplace, a smile can help build rapport with clients and colleagues and promote better communication and collaboration.
day. This small gesture is something we all understand no matter where we’re from. Smiling promotes social connection and transcends language and culture. It’s one of the most natural human expressions, but there’s a lot more going on behind that grin than you might realize. Every time we smile, our brains get a signal that something good is happening. That triggers a release of dopamine and other “feel-good” chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. These chemicals boost our mood and help us relax. The more we smile, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the more we smile. This creates a feedback loop of good vibes that has a very positive effect on us and those around us.
There are also health benefits to smiling. It reduces our body’s stress response, which can lower our heart rate and
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Medicare Annual Enrollment is Here!
OCTOBER 15 – DECEMBER 7
Do I Need a Plan Review for 2026? Medicare costs have increased nationwide and plans make benefit changes every year. These changes are reflected in the Annual Notice of Change sent to you by your current plan. Here are some good reasons to call us for a plan review:
What We Need From You ⃝ A list of your current doctors. ⃝ A list of your current prescriptions.
Is Your Medicaid Status Changing? Call Medicaid to verify your status for 2026. Call us right away if there are any changes.
Beware of Marketing Scams ! Medicare advertising can be misleading. ! Telemarketers specialize in promises and pressure. ! Don’t talk to strangers. ! Trust your instincts: when in doubt, call us first. ! We’ll give you the real facts, and never any pressure.
Thank You for Trusting Us!
We Are Your Agents For Life We are licensed brokers who represent all major Medicare plans, not just one company. We find the plan that fits your needs, not the insurance company’s.
We master the details so you don’t have to. Year after year, we’re here to support you.
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
Spread the Word Tell your friends and family we can help them.
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