How to Recognize Where You’re Already Valued, Tips for Staying Active as You Age, and Protecting Yourself From Financial Fraud

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History (Non-Fiction): Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore – This sweeping history chronicles Jerusalem’s turbulent past through the rulers, conquerors, believers, and families who shaped the ancient city.

Memoir: Desert Flower by Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller – Waris Dirie recounts her extraordinary journey from a nomadic childhood in Somalia to international modeling and human rights advocacy.

Self-Help: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal – Kelly McGonigal draws on psychology and neuroscience to explain how self-control works and how readers can strengthen it.

Romance: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan – A romance screenwriter’s quiet life is upended when a Hollywood star stays at her home and their on-screen chemistry becomes something real.

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Your family's story didn't begin with you. This could be your chance to discover what came before.

It's easy to assume that making a difference requires taking on a new role, joining another committee, or finding an extra way to contribute. But often, the places where we've become so familiar with that we hardly notice them anymore are where we contribute the greatest value. Sometimes, it isn't about doing more. It's about recognizing the difference you're already making.

Many of the roles people play become so routine that they almost disappear into the background.

Perhaps you're the person who organizes the monthly lunch with friends, remembers everyone’s birthdays, brings dessert to family gatherings, waters a neighbor’s plants while they’re away, checks in on someone who lives alone, or picks up loose trash in your local park.

Because these things happen regularly, it's easy to overlook how much they matter to others.

When people think about those they appreciate most, they rarely mention dramatic moments. Instead, what stands out most is consistency. They remember the friend who always called after an important appointment, the neighbor who brought over soup during an illness, the volunteer who quietly opened the food bank every Friday morning, the grandparent who never forgot a school concert.

While a grand gesture may stand out in the moment, being dependable creates a sense of trust that grows over years, creating a connection that endures.

Some forms of value are commonly overlooked. You may be the person who notices when someone new joins a group and makes them feel welcome. Perhaps you're the one who remembers small details from previous conversations or helps smooth over awkward moments before they balloon into bigger problems.

These contributions rarely receive recognition, but they significantly shape how other people experience a group, a family, or a community.

People frequently underestimate the effect they have on those around them because they're viewing their own actions from the inside. What seems ordinary to you may be deeply meaningful to someone else. A weekly phone call, a thoughtful question, an encouraging conversation, or simply showing up consistently can become something another person quietly depends upon.

As life changes, the ways people contribute typically change too. A career may end, volunteer roles may evolve, and family responsibilities may shift. But value rarely disappears. Instead, it often becomes expressed in different ways:

Different does not mean lesser—indeed, contributing in new ways may prove more valuable, and more rewarding, depending on your stage of life.

Every now and then, it's worth asking yourself a different question. Instead of "Where else should I be contributing?" consider asking, "Where am I already making a difference?" The answer may include relationships, routines, and communities you've been nurturing for years without giving yourself much credit.

Before you try to force new obligations, consider what you’re already doing that’s indispensable. Perhaps this recognition will already be enough to feel assured of your value.

Feeling valued doesn't always come from taking on something new. Often, it comes from recognizing the quiet, consistent ways you're already contributing to the lives of others. Those everyday acts of reliability, kindness, and presence frequently have a greater impact than we realize.

We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

The discount: Hotel Indigo

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“My First Year as a Teacher”
From the life overview of Carolyn B., 77, Louisville, Kentucky. Shared with permission.

I was twenty-two years old in September 1971. That was when I started teaching third grade in Louisville. It was the first time I had been responsible for thirty children at once. When I did student teaching, another teacher had always been in the room with me. Now it was just me, a blackboard, and thirty desks that seemed much smaller than they did during my interview.

Before I had finished taking attendance during my first morning on the job, a boy named Ricky raised his hand. He asked me if I was married. When I said no, he wanted to know if I had a boyfriend. Before I could answer, another child announced that I probably did because I wore lipstick.

It became clear to me that children notice everything.

That year was not easy for me. Most of my evenings were spent at the kitchen table grading spelling tests and trying to find better ways to explain long division. I still remember one girl named Denise who struggled terribly with reading. Since I was determined to help her improve, I began keeping a stack of little paperback books in my desk for us to read together after school.

When May arrived, she finally finished a book by herself. She just looked up at me as though she had performed a magic trick and exclaimed, “I did it!”

I still remember those three words. In fact, I remember them much more clearly than anything I taught that year.

***

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Futility Closet
This wonderfully odd website collects more than 12,000 curiosities from history, language, literature, mathematics, philosophy, and everyday life. You might encounter a peculiar court case, an ingenious puzzle, a forgotten historical incident, or a word you never knew existed. The “Random Post” button makes it especially good for following your curiosity with no particular destination in mind.

American Rhetoric – Top 100 Speeches
This collection brings together 100 influential American speeches of the 20th century, with recordings and transcripts available for many of them. Hearing voices such as Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Barbara Jordan, and Lyndon Johnson adds another dimension to words often encountered only on the printed page. It’s an absorbing way to revisit moments when a speech became part of American history.

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You don't need an expensive camera to take photographs worth keeping. Today's smartphones are remarkably capable, and a few simple techniques can make a noticeable difference whether you're photographing grandchildren, vacations, pets, flowers, or everyday moments.

Before taking a photo, wipe the camera lens with a clean, soft cloth. A surprisingly large number of blurry smartphone photos are caused by fingerprints on the lens.

Next, pay attention to light. Whenever possible, position your subject near a window or photograph outdoors in soft natural light. Avoid placing someone directly in front of a bright window unless you intentionally want a silhouette.

On most phones, tapping the person or object on your screen tells the camera exactly where to focus. On an iPhone, Apple's camera basics guide explains focusing, adjusting exposure, zooming, and other built-in controls. Google provides a similar Pixel Camera guide for Pixel phones.

Instead of automatically putting your subject directly in the center, try turning on your camera's grid. Positioning a person, horizon, or interesting object along one of the grid lines can produce a more balanced photograph.

Also, try moving closer to your subject rather than relying heavily on digital zoom, which can reduce image quality. Before pressing the shutter, glance around the edges of the screen for distracting objects—a trash can or telephone pole can sneak into an otherwise wonderful picture.

You don't need complicated editing software. The tools already on your phone can crop a photograph, straighten a crooked horizon, and make small adjustments to brightness and color. Apple's photo editing guide walks through the options available on an iPhone.

Finally, take several photographs when the moment allows. Slight changes in expression, angle, and lighting can make an enormous difference. You can always delete the extras later—and you'll have a much better chance of capturing the one photograph you truly want to keep.

Unwanted emails aren’t all the same. Knowing what you’re looking at can help you decide whether to simply delete a message or treat it as a potential security threat.

Spam is unsolicited email sent to large numbers of people, often advertising a product, service, or promotion. Junk mail is a broader term for messages you don’t want. It can include spam as well as legitimate emails from stores, organizations, or mailing lists you no longer wish to receive.

For legitimate messages, you can usually use the Unsubscribe link. For obvious spam, mark it as spam or junk instead. This helps your email provider filter similar messages in the future.

Phishing is more serious. These messages impersonate a bank, delivery company, government agency, retailer, or even someone you know to steal passwords, financial information, or other sensitive details.

Be suspicious of unexpected messages asking you to click a link, open an attachment, send money, or provide personal information. Instead of using the email’s link, go directly to the organization’s website or contact it using a number you already trust.

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Unmissable American gem: Grand Island, Nebraska is a welcoming central Nebraska city known for its museums, pioneer heritage, and exceptional birdwatching along the Platte River, offering a relaxed mix of history, culture, and nature.

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Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object. Think you know it? Reply with your answer and show off your brainpower.

Today’s clue: 1970 disaster movie set around an airliner

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