Keywordshealthy aging, transitions, purpose, relationships, social interaction, life planning, introspection, service, lifelong learning, aging wellSummaryIn this conversation, Yvette Francino and Ken Cross explore the themes of healthy aging and transitions in life. Ken shares his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of social interaction, purpose, and lifelong learning in aging well. They discuss the struggles many face in finding their purpose and the significance of daily habits and introspection. The conversation highlights the value of service and living with intention, encouraging listeners to engage with their communities and maintain a sense of curiosity as they navigate the later stages of life.TakeawaysHealthy aging involves social interaction and engagement.Finding purpose is a journey that requires introspection.Daily habits contribute significantly to well-being.Service to others can enhance one's sense of purpose.Curiosity keeps life interesting and fulfilling.Planning and structure can help navigate transitions.Lifelong learning organizations provide valuable social connections.Intention and mindfulness are key to living well.Every day offers a new opportunity to start fresh.Connecting with others can lead to personal growth and understanding.TitlesNavigating the Journey of Healthy AgingThe Art of Transitioning in LifeSound bites"What will I do the rest of my life?""Social interaction is key.""Every day is a do-over."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healthy Aging and Transitions03:59 Ken Cross's Journey and Life Transitions10:01 Aging Well: Key Factors and Social Interaction15:52 Finding Purpose in Life21:52 The Importance of Relationships and Community28:03 Final Thoughts on Aging and EngagementRecommended Books by Ken1. What color is your parachute? For Retirement – Planning a Prosperous, Health and Happy Future by John E. Nelsona. My Ideal Retirement Model (That One Piece of Paper): The Seven Circles –Values, Relationships, Strengths, Place, Practices, Financial Pillars & Medicine. (Page # 238-239)2. The Longevity Prescription: The 8 Proven Keys to a Long, Healthy Life by Robert N.Butler3. Your Money or Your Life – 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationships with Money andAchieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominquez4. Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy - Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge5. The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky6. Roadtrip Nation https://roadtripnation.com/experience/course/rtn/overview

To find out more about Grateful Gatherings go to https://grateful.org/gatherings/Summary of Episode:In this episode of Carpe Diem Connections, host Yvette Francino speaks with Grateful Gathering Host, Elizabeth Plante about the transformative power of gratitude and the importance of community. They discuss Grateful Gatherings, a platform for sharing gratitude and building connections, and how these gatherings foster deep, meaningful relationships. Elizabethe shares her personal journey with gratitude, the impact of community on individual practices, and the joy of witnessing acts of kindness and support. The conversation emphasizes the healing potential of gratitude and the importance of connecting with others in a world that often feels disconnected.Takeaways:Gratitude is a powerful practice that can heal individuals and communities.Grateful Gatherings provide a space for meaningful connections and conversations.The act of sharing gratitude amplifies its effects for both the giver and receiver.Community support is essential for personal growth and healing.Practicing gratitude can help individuals navigate life's challenges more effectively.Witnessing others express gratitude can inspire and uplift participants.A simple smile can significantly impact both the giver and receiver's mood.Gratitude practices can evolve and deepen through community involvement.Finding joy in hardship is a key aspect of living gratefully.The more gratitude is shared, the more it grows within individuals and communities.

In this episode of Carpe Diem Connections, host Yvette Francino speaks with Cindy Lee, a Celebration Ambassador and creator of National Bucket List Day. They explore the importance of gratitude in daily life, how to celebrate every day, and the impact of these practices on personal and community well-being. Cindy shares her journey of becoming an ambassador for celebrating national holidays, her personal bucket list aspirations, and the significance of creating real connections with others. The conversation emphasizes the power of gratitude, the joy of celebrating small moments, and the importance of living life to the fullest.takeawaysCINDY'S CALL TO ACTIONGo to YouTube at http://www.WheresCindyNow.com or (4) Bucket List Coach Web Show Live - YouTubeSubscribe and comment on 3/27/24 April National Day Calendar Series with Cindy & Amy and win your Ebook!NATIONAL DAY CALENDARhttps://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/year-at-a-glanceNATIONAL BUCKET LIST DAY | April 24 - National Day CalendarARTICLES AND PODCAST FEATURESBucket List Day/Free-BookKey MessagesGratitude evolved through life experiences.Celebrating every day can create meaningful connections.Sending thoughtful gifts can enhance business relationships.Celebration can be a daily practice, not just for special occasions.Mindset is crucial for maintaining positivity and gratitude.Surrounding yourself with positive people is essential.Creating a bucket list helps in living life fully.Accountability partners can help achieve personal goals.Real connections are more valuable than online interactions.Small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others.The Transformative Power of GratitudeCelebrating Life: A Daily Practice"Gratitude is a daily practice.""Little things mean the most to people.""Live your dash to the fullest.""Be a giver instead of a taker.""Get off Facebook and make real connections."Chapters00:00 The Power of Gratitude04:11 Celebrating Every Day08:08 The Impact of Celebrations10:13National Bucket List Day15:45Personal Bucket List Aspirations20:05Tools for Gratitude and Celebration23:57Creating Real Connections

This podcast is an excerpt from the article "5 Ways Grateful Living Empowers You to Live a Meaningful Life" by Joe Primo. The article can be found on the Grateful Living Website at: https://grateful.org/resource/5-ways-grateful-living-empowers/Grateful Living (grateful.org) has a wide variety of resources and classes to help live a more meaningful life.

This episode featured a reading from https://grateful.org/gatherings-resources/love/Grateful Living, found at grateful.org, has a wealth of resources and volunteer opportunities centered on gratitude.

Short introduction of Dan Jaworski, who is participating in the Kona Ironman after receiving an early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis.  Full YouTube video available here: https://youtu.be/BuqwJjPNZzk Blog post: https://www.carpediemday.com/alzheimers-diagnosis-motivates-dan-jaworski-to-fulfill-his-dream-participate-in-the-kona-ironman/ When Dan Jaworski received a devastating diagnosis and a recommendation from his doctor to move forward on his bucket list, he knew what he needed to do. “Within hours of my diagnosis, I contacted Sarah Hartmann at The IRONMAN Foundation. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to race Kona on October 9, 2021” The month of June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. You can read more about Dan and his inspirational story here. His attitude of resilience and strength is the same “Carpe Diem spirit” that I saw in my friend Craig Dunham when he was faced with an ALS Diagnosis. It’s the reason I started CarpeDiemDay.com. Rather than ask for money, Dan asked for 140 names – one for each of the 140.6 miles of the race – of others who are battling Alzheimer’s and related diseases. His list of 140 names, along with notes and tributes are listed on his site. And despite not asking for money, he has currently raised over $70K in donations for the Alzheimer’s Association. Gratefully, I don’t currently know anyone personally suffering from Alzheimer’s, but I certainly understand the devastation and fear most people would have in the face of such a diagnosis. Dan’s optimistic attitude, his drive, tenacity, and resilient spirit will most certainly work in his favor in the coming months, both in his training and in his overall health. Let’s follow his lead! Whether it’s participating in an Ironman, writing a book, or repairing a relationship, don’t wait. Follow your dreams. Carpe Diem!

In this episode, I interview Baroness Susan Greenfield, a renowned neuroscientist about Brain Plasticity and the Future of Alzheimer's. Blog Post: https://www.carpediemday.com/baroness-susan-greenfield-talks-about-the-future-of-alzheimers/ YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_3SsrTNxD8 I’ve been looking forward to my interview with Baroness Susan Greenfield since I heard her speak at the Douglas Adams Memorial lecture in March. Besides being a world renowned neuroscientist on the verge of discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s, she’s an interesting and entertaining speaker! She’s the epitome of what many of us yearn to be: highly intelligent, funny, and working on unraveling some of the biggest mysteries of the mind, including the meaning of consciousness. She also is an entrepreneur. In 2013, she co-founded Neuro-Bio, a company that develops diagnostic tests and therapeutics to help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. In our interview, I asked Dr. Greenfield about her views on a cure. She mentioned the recent FDA approval of the controversial Biogen announcement of a drug claiming to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s. She expressed more hope and optimism about the approach and drug under development at Neuro-Bio. Though not available to the public yet due to regulatory phases, Dr. Greenfield indicated that, with fair winds, it might be “two years away.”

One of the Agile "ceremonies" is called a Retrospective. This is a time in which we reflect on "What went well" "What could be better" and "What we want to do differently going forward." In this episode, I use my podcasting experience as an example of how to ask these questions to learn and improve.

In Season 3 we are talking about the 10 Keys of Happiness defined by Action For Happiness. The 10th and final key is Meaning. Shirley F. Rivera is a trained Ikigai Tribe Coach and talks about what ikigai is - what motivates us to get up in the morning.  We explore the topics of meaning, purpose, and ikigai and its relationship to happiness.

This season we are talking about the 10 Keys to Happiness as defined by Action For Happiness, with the 9th Key being Awareness.  I'm rejoined by my co-host from Season 2, Becky Burns, who talks about her journey with Self-Awareness.