Tag: Optimism

WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

I Hope you had a wonderful beginning of 2019 and to help you start it off in the right direction here is an excerpt of my new book GETTING OVER GROWING OLDER .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you speak about yourself, you always say, “In my life.” But do you really have only one life? I don’t think so. Looking back, I see that I went through many different phases, which all had a distinct beginning and end like chapters in a book. this phase of your life is a new chapter. Will it be a happy one filled with challenges, new experiences, joy, and laughter?

That depends on you. You are the Author of this new chapter in your life, and you will write the story’s happy ending. Yes, there will be difficulties, and your will have to deal with them, but the story will be happier and easier to write if you stay optimistic, positive, and refuse to let old age creep in between the lines.

The only thing constant is change. How you deal with change determines your future — and if you never give up – the future will be brighter

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

Not Ready to be Old Yet? – Interview

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Client Spotlight: Living Longer with @BrigitteNioche

Meet Brigitte Nioche

Brigitte Nioche is the author of Living Longer, Living Well: How to Embrace the Challenges of a Long Life. I had the pleasure of meeting Brigitte through our mutual editor, Candace Johnson. Brigitte is a fascinating, intelligent woman who came from Germany, traveled through Egypt, and now lives in Manhattan. I admire her class, pragmatism, and persistent effort to learn how to use social media. She’s also a witty writer! Check her out.

About the Book

NOT READY TO BE OLD YET?
What’s a woman “of a certain age” to do about sex, social media, and the latest fashion trends? In this charming, often self-effacing memoir, Brigitte Nioche shares her personal experiences of staying positive, dealing with the challenges that come in the second half of life, and living life to the fullest.

Interview with Brigitte Nioche

How long have you been writing?

For a very long time – my first article about a church in upstate New York was published in 1972

Why did you start writing?

I wanted to share my experience with others

When did you publish your first book?

The Sensual Dresser in 1981 published by Perigee.

What gave you the idea to write LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL?

I think I have explained this in the introduction of the book – but I would like to add the idea of the book is to show people how important it is, at any age, to stay connected to the world

My mother just turned sixty and loved your book. I’m about to turn forty. What do you think it is it about these age milestones that are so difficult?

The Media hype…. they make it sound like you are becoming a different person at that point – whereas the truth is we really don’t feel any different and we are not, so we should remember that – sorry for the cliché – age is just a number

You always say a smile changes everything. How do you keep such a positive attitude?

Well, when you smile the world smiles back at you – when you approach a person, and even though they look cranky, seeing you smile will make them smile too. A smile also says to most people – I like you and that changes everything and it becomes easy to be positive.

You live in Manhattan, a place I love deeply and have always fantasized living in full time. Tell us a little about your lifestyle there and your day to day activities.

I love New York and don’t think I could live anywhere else – NY is vibrant and without doing much one feels always part of something – but when people envy me for living here because of   museums and art, and theater, I always tell them going to work doesn’t leave too much time to see everything – and another drawback is that living here I think I can always go for which reason   I sometimes miss something.

My lifestyle – now that I don’t work full time anymore I try to stick to a daily schedule and set myself tasks – of course the most important is writing – but since that is a rather lonely occupation I make sure to have an outside activity keeping me connected and up to date. Meeting people and interacting with them is my way to stay positive

How do you stay fit, healthy, and happy?

First let me say that when you are fit and feel good about yourself – you are happy. But to stay fit exercise, moving is necessary – no we don’t always feel like it, therefore, we must find an exercise that we like – walking, dancing (yes that is a very good exercise). I walk up 12 floors every day. and feel that is all I need – it is important to find something you like or you won’t do it for long. It should be enjoyable. and again, when you enjoy something it makes you feel optimistic at the same time.

Do you have kids? Grandkids? If so, how do they enrich your life? If not, did you ever regret not having children?

What should those growing older know about aging without children and grandchildren to help? I have one son and two grandchildren – I don’t see them often, but it is always a special day when I do, and I love the way they bring me-up-to-date especially on Social Media – the most important way to connect to them is to ask them about their life and interests and then listen to their answer.

For people who don’t have grandchildren it will be a good idea to get involved with some volunteering to do with children – or offer babysitting services for nieces and nephews

Reaching the age of forty, I feel my time is limited. Death can happen to an anyone at any time. What has given your life meaning? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Let me first say that at 40 you should not think of this – you are young, in the middle of life – of course we can all die at any age, that’s why it is not useful to think about it at any age.

The Meaning of my life has been to lead a healthy, fruitful, busy life, leading the way by being a good example. And I hope that my legacy would be that my actions, my behavior made a difference in the life of the people who knew me.

Thanks  for answering all my questions, Brigitte!
Find all her links below.

Brigitte Nioche

readytolivelonger.com

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon

 

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Sitting in the bus yesterday I sat opposite a lady who was reading the paper. When the bus stopped at Columbus Circle, she looked up and fumbling to put her newspaper away, as well as trying to hold on, she said,

“Oh my, this is my stop. I have to get out.” Having trouble to steady herself a young man got up and took her arm. With a big smile she looked at him and told him,

“Young man I don’t need help, because you see I am not old, I just look old.” and with that she stepped slowly out of the bus.

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything               photo- pink

Brigitte

A NEW BEGINNING

Published on by Brigitte Nioche1 Comment

Today is a very special day – it is the day I can tell you that my book Getting Over Growing Older will be published on Amazon.com on March 10 — and it is the day I am writing my first blog – one of many to come – where we can talk about and find out how not to grow old.

Writing a book is like giving birth. No, not like giving birth to a child, but giving birth to oneself. In this book I have opened my heart and shared experiences of my life, which have taught me that staying positive is the key to happiness and making the challenges of life easier to overcome.

I am leaving you with a short excerpt from the introduction

I never think of my age, and I don’t think I am old. The calendar says otherwise, but what the calendar says has no affect on how I feel or look.

I am often asked why I have so much energy. Do I? I’m often told that I don’t look my age. Don’t I? I am happy to hear these comments, but I always feel that there is nothing unusual about me. Until one day when I was vacationing in France.

I became friends with Angie, an English lady a little younger than I, who said, “You know, you are very inspiring. I admire your enthusiasm for life and your positive attitude. I wish some of it would rub off on me.”

As I thought about her remark and I asked myself why I don’t feel old or look my age, the answers became the inspiration and reason for writing this book.

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And never forget –  a smile changes everything

scan0003-3Brigitte