Putting Problems in Perspective, Pilates Benefits, and Passing Down Wealth

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History (Non-Fiction): The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman – This fascinating history follows two powerful Jewish families whose fortunes and rivalries helped shape modern Shanghai.

Self-Help: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz – Drawing on decades of research, the authors reveal why strong relationships are fundamental to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

Romance: The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey – A lonely 79-year-old woman discovers friendship, community, and new possibilities after unexpected connections draw her back into the world.

Memoir: From the Roach Motel to the Ivory Tower by Gail Finney – A candid account of an unconventional personal and academic journey, marked by complicated relationships, hard-won ambitions, difficult choices, and the demands of life in higher education.

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Check a few boxes, and we’ll match you with trusted options and initial consultations—many completely free—across insurance, housing, travel, finances, and more. It takes about five minutes, and you’re not committing to anything—just seeing what can save you time and energy.

Certain challenges can feel enormous at one stage of life only to seem surprisingly small years later. This shift doesn’t happen because we no longer face difficulties. Rather, experience has a way of changing our perspective. Situations that once demanded hours of worry often become things we simply work through and leave behind.

Sometimes the greatest gift of experience is learning which problems deserve our energy—and which don't.

One reason certain problems lose their power is that you've already faced similar ones. Perhaps you've lived through unexpected changes, career disappointments, family disagreements, sudden relocations, surprise expenses, or periods of extended uncertainty.

Having navigated challenges before makes it easier to believe you'll find your way through the next one as well. Experience builds confidence, even when the exact circumstances differ.

Earlier in life, it's easy to feel frustrated when things don't happen according to schedule. A delayed appointment, a cancelled lunch, or a rainy weekend can seem like a major inconvenience.

Over time, though, many people begin to see these situations differently. They recognize that most delays are temporary and that plans can usually be adjusted without much lasting consequence. Instead of asking, "Why is this happening?" they simply ask, "What's the next step?"

Experience teaches an important distinction. Some things are genuinely important:

Other things are simply inconveniences:

Once you've learned the difference between the things that truly matter and those that are fleeting, it's easier to keep small frustrations in perspective.

Many people find that, over time, they're less troubled by what others might think. They decorate their home the way they enjoy, pursue hobbies that interest them, say no when their schedule is full, go to a restaurant or movie on their own, and wear what feels comfortable.

As we age, the pressure to meet everyone else's expectations often begins to fade, and that can solve a surprising number of worries.

Another quiet shift is realizing that perfection is not only unachievable but also overrated. A meal doesn't have to be restaurant quality to be enjoyable. A family gathering doesn't need every detail to go exactly as planned. A garden can still be beautiful even if a few plants don't thrive or the colors don’t flawlessly accentuate one another.

When perfection is no longer the goal, many ordinary frustrations lose their importance—and, in turn, much of everyday life grows in pleasure.

Perhaps the biggest change is becoming more intentional about where you direct your energy. Instead of allowing every small annoyance to occupy your thoughts, you begin preserving your attention for the people, activities, and moments that genuinely enrich your life.

Of course, that doesn't mean ignoring problems. It means recognizing that not every problem deserves the same amount of concern.

Life experience doesn't eliminate challenges, but it does often change the way we respond to them. Many problems that once felt overwhelming gradually become manageable, allowing more room for patience, gratitude, and peace of mind.

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.

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“The Day My Daughter Left for College”
From the life overview of Barbara N., 78, Madison, Wisconsin. Shared with permission.

When my daughter, Karen, left for college in September 1985, she was eighteen years old. The university was only three hours away, so I told everyone I was perfectly fine with it.

But really, I was not perfectly fine with it.

We packed her things into the station wagon: clothes, books, a desk lamp, two pillows, a hair dryer, and more canned soup than an eighteen-year-old would ever need. My husband tied a small suitcase to the roof because we couldn’t fit all her stuff inside.

When we arrived, Karen’s roommate was already there. Her mother had brought curtains. That was something I hadn’t thought about.

For the next two hours, I helped make the bed, placed books on the shelf, and straightened things that didn’t require straightening. Finally, Karen said, “Mom, you can go.”

I knew she was right.

In the parking lot, my husband asked if I wanted to stop for lunch. I said no. I didn’t feel like crying in a restaurant.

For most of the drive home, we sat in silence.

That evening, I walked past Karen’s bedroom. Out of habit, I looked inside. The bed was made. The room was clean. There was no pile of laundry on the floor.

It looked like a hotel room.

Three days later, the phone rang. It was Karen. “Mom?”

“Yes?” I answered.

“I forgot how to use the washing machine.”

I laughed so hard, I fell back into a chair.

When she came home for Thanksgiving, Karen brought six weeks of laundry with her.

***

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DigitalLearn.org
Created by the Public Library Association, DigitalLearn offers short, self-paced online lessons on useful skills such as avoiding scams, using QR codes, handling email attachments, video calling, and navigating websites. Many lessons take only a few minutes, so you can learn exactly what you need without sitting through a lengthy course. Everything is free to use.

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Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones. Some people begin by writing on their own—or even using AI tools—but many eventually decide they’d rather simply talk and have their story shaped into something lasting. That’s where we come in.

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Podcasts are a bit like choosing your own radio station: you decide what you want to hear and when you want to hear it. There are shows about nearly everything imaginable, from history and science to books, gardening, travel, music, and true stories. Most are free, and you can listen while walking, driving, cooking, or relaxing at home.

Start with a subject you're already curious about. History fans might enjoy Throughline, which explores the historical forces behind today's world, while Science Friday covers science, nature, technology, and the environment.

For something literary, The New Yorker: Fiction features writers reading and discussing stories from the magazine's archives. If you're endlessly curious about how ordinary things work, Stuff You Should Know tackles subjects ranging from historical events to everyday phenomena.

On an iPhone or iPad, the built-in Apple Podcasts app lets you search for shows, follow favorites, and download episodes for offline listening. Spotify also carries a huge selection of podcasts alongside music.

When you find a show you like, select "Follow" so new episodes appear automatically. You can also download episodes before a flight, road trip, or anywhere you expect unreliable internet access.

One of the pleasures of podcasts is stumbling onto a subject you never expected to care about. Browse the NPR podcast directory or BBC podcast collection and choose something outside your normal listening habits.

Don't feel obligated to finish an episode—or a series—that isn't holding your attention. There are far too many good podcasts available for that.

Once you find a handful you enjoy, podcasts can turn otherwise ordinary stretches of the day into opportunities to hear a fascinating story, learn something unexpected, or simply enjoy good company in your headphones.

Contactless payments let you pay without inserting or swiping a card. If your credit or debit card has a small symbol resembling sideways Wi-Fi waves, you can usually tap it on a compatible payment terminal. Digital wallets offer another way to make the same type of payment using a phone or smartwatch.

At checkout, look for the contactless symbol on the payment terminal. Hold your card, phone, or watch close to it for a moment. The terminal will confirm when the payment has been accepted.

With a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet, you first add an eligible payment card to your device. Depending on the device, you’ll typically confirm purchases with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

Contactless payments are designed with security protections, but the usual precautions still matter. Protect your phone with a strong passcode, enable automatic screen locking, and regularly review your card and bank statements.

If you receive a text or email claiming there’s a problem with a digital payment, don’t use the included link. Open your banking or payment app directly to check the transaction. If your physical card or phone is lost, contact your card issuer promptly.

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Unmissable American gem: Georgetown, Texas is a charming Hill Country city known for its beautifully preserved historic square, Victorian architecture, and nearby parks and natural attractions that make it an inviting destination for a leisurely getaway.

Looking for travel planning help? Fill out this form.

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: Family recordings often projected or played at gatherings.

EMHO SOVEIM

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