As we head into February I’m reminded how much love we have around us, expressed in so many ways. For me, the reminder often comes from emails, letters or calls from readers saying how much they love the magazine for its inspiration and positive focus.
While the editorial tone and focus of the magazine is set intentionally by decisions I’ve made and communicated to my staff, the inspiration that our readers feel comes from the people our writers interview.
Whether we choose someone of celebrity status, or someone who is your next-door neighbour, we consistently seek out those who are making a difference in the world around them.
We are constantly looking for people over the age of 55 who have lived an interesting life and are continuing to contribute to their community through their vibrant involvement.
We have interviewed some of Canada’s best known celebrities – from musicians, artists and authors, to chefs and government officials. Added to this is a liberal sprinkling of relatable people chosen for their contributions within the province of BC.
As we head into 2022 and beyond, we are continuing to seek inspiring stories of people who are original and authentic, who live life to the fullest and who have a special or unique way of expressing themselves through their work or play.
I’d like to invite our readers to help us find more deserving people to profile in INSPIRED Magazine. Please submit a short paragraph of this person’s achievements and why they stand out to you as a person deserving of a story being written about them. If possible, include some information about how we can get in touch with them. We can’t guarantee that every person whose name is submitted will end up as a story in INSPIRED, but we certainly will consider each one.
This month is our special Retirement Housing issue featuring a directory and related articles. Even if you are not considering a housing move for yourself, you likely have a family member or friend who is.
Over the years, I have found myself playing various roles as my family situation has evolved… first with grandparents, then parents, and now older siblings who are evaluating their housing situations.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is this: Don’t wait until someone else is forced to make a housing decision for you.
Being proactive will ensure you make the best decision for yourself and often earn you valuable time in which you can enjoy the next phase of your life. Just as importantly, it will relieve those around you of the pressure to find a solution in stressful and precarious circumstances.
Independence shouldn’t come at the cost of isolation, depression and a lack of resources. This was where one of my family members found themself when they refused to consider an alternate housing solution until the situation was dire. At that point the decision was taken out of their hands and made by others. Options are often drastically diminished when families or care providers are forced to make a decision based on necessity and time restraints.
Another family member did the exact opposite. They checked out all their options, made their decision, and proceeded to enjoy their new friends, their new freedom, and all the amenities they could imagine at their fingertips.
Many of us don’t know where to even begin when considering our next housing move. If you’re stuck and need more information in order to make your decision, you may find my book “To Move or Not to Move?” helpful. I wrote it after navigating some of the above situations.
This book helps to fill in some of the knowledge gaps, offers options, and asks pertinent questions to help assess where you are and what you may want to do next.
As this month unfolds and as the days get longer and Spring gets closer, may you find more reasons to love and appreciate the world and those around you.
Happy Valentines!
You can order the book on our website at www.seniorlivingmag.com/shop, call with a credit card to place your order at 250-479-4705, or fill out the form on page __ and mail it in with a cheque.
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