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Deon Melchior's Articles in Writing

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Where There's A Will... A Senior Guide To Last Will And Testaments Although some people may consider it morbid, you are never too young to start thinking about making a last will and testament. A will is effectively a legal document that cannot be changed as of your last moment on this Earth. The majority of individuals actually use a will to distribute their worldly goods amongst their family and friends when they are gone. It is legally binding and must be adhered to, although some families do choose to contest the last will of a loved one in a court of law. In a world where so much can change from one moment to the next, anyone above the age of twenty-one should have one. Seniors especially should make a will a priority if they do not already have one. Every senior should know what a will is and what it involves. A basic understanding of the legal document is necessary before you actually compose one, so consider this your quick guide. Where Do You Want To Go Today? Seniors And Air Travel The younger generations are eager to explore the world, take on all of the sights and bask in the cultures of foreign climes. With air travel now being as widespread as it is, individuals do have the opportunity to see places that older generations never dreamed of visiting. However, that is not to say that seniors should not have the opportunity to enjoy their retirement by seeing some of the world. Indeed, everyone should visit a far off country if for no other reason than to exploit his or her freedom! The Senior Clothing Market: Tips On How To Find Clothing Suitable For You Every now and again you may read newspaper or magazine articles that the fashion industry has been criticized for its sizing system, or lack of one as the case may be. This is appearing to happen on a more and more regular basis. There is no unique and specific sizing system in place that governs the entire world fashion industry. Instead, individual stores and brands are free to choose the dimensions of the garments that they produce and sell. As a result, a size that fit you perfectly in one store may be too small or too big in another. Seniors especially suffer as a result of this baffling inconsistency. It is gradually getting harder to find anything to fit you, and that simple fact makes clothes shopping a chore rather than being the pleasurable experience that it should be! The Purple Mountain Majesties There are just a few songs about America that truly do a good job of capturing the sense of awe and reverence the citizens of this country have or should have about their beloved country. But of them all, America the Beautiful does the job beautifully. When one travels across this great land, it is impossible not to be reminded of those beautiful words… The Melting Pot England is full of Englishmen. France is full of Frenchmen. Italy is full of Italians and Russia is full of Russians. So what is America populated by? This little mental exercise points out one of the amazing things about the way America was envisioned by the forefathers. When you think about it, America stands out as most unique of all the nations of the world because we are not the homeland of an ethnic people. Now, we do have our ethnic population in the form of the American Indian native population which we value and prize as much as any population that lives here. But “America” as a nation is remarkable not for the dominance of one ethnic group but for the lack of one ethnic group that defines what it is to be American. The Joys Of Life As A Senior: Hobbies It is a sad fact that working in order to live your life the way that you want to leaves very little time for doing the very things that we work so hard for. The pace of modern day life dictates that the majority of people that do work have very little social time, regardless of how they choose to spend it. Long and unsociable hours mean that very few people can enjoy themselves whilst they are still young, so logic dictates that seniors should make up for lost time and live every moment as if it were their last. Do the things you always wanted to do when you were younger and accept new hobbies into your life. Retirement provides the necessary time to spend the fruits of your labour, so choosing not o do so would defeat the object of all of those years spent in an office. The Heart of American Charity There is something very unique about the heart of what it is to be an American that results in Americans being the most charitable people in the world. That is not just a generous exaggeration. Documented studies have shown conclusively that Americans give far more to charity and to help out their fellow man in times of trouble than any other private citizenry in the world. Just consider these statistics. The Great American Experiment There is a tremendous reverence and respect for the founding fathers of America in our country. These brave and brilliant men forged a constitution and made a reality a new nation that was more than just another new country. It was and is a country the likes of which has never been seen on earth before. The Envy of the World Every country has a culture. When we think of “culture” we think of the exotic dress and rituals of ancient China or Japan. Or we might think of England or Scotland with their quirky approach to food, dress and customs. Or we might think of the music of Africa or the Caribbean or the alluring appeal of South America. As Americans we are endlessly fascinated with the cultures of the world. The American Dream America is unlike any other nation in the history of the world. When you think of those historic words written by Emma Lazarus that are on the Statue of Liberty, they summarize wonderfully the amazing history of this great nation. The Age Of Technology: Seniors And The Internet It is a fact that we all live in a technological society. Our ability to live from day to day largely depends on the technology that is all around us. We can see around our homes at night as a result of modern lighting and electricity. We keep informed of world news as a result of television and radio. There are thousands of other ways that we benefit from modern technology every day, and the improvements keep coming as a result. However, there is one technological advance that leaves the older generations baffled and that is the Internet. Logging on opens us all to an amazing world of information and thus everyone should have a basic grasp of how to communicate via the World Wide Web. This, as a result, is a senior's guide to the Internet and how to get online. Stubborn as a Mule The character of the American personality is simultaneously one of the most celebrated and envied and disliked personalities in the world. There is something so tremendously different about Americans that cannot be replicated in any other culture in the world. The Australian bawdiness, love of adventure and fun comes close but it doesn’t approach the subtleties that make Americans so unique as a people. The English temperament of humor, fussiness and perfectionism also is a good reflection of what it is to be an American. But still there is something that sets us apart even from our English, Australian, Scottish and Irish cousins that makes us the same and yet different from those cultures. Stopping a Monster The thing that is always true about a great people of any time or place is that they will stand up for great things. But more than that, they will stand up against a great evil when called upon to do so. There is really only one word that summarizes this phenomenal trait that makes a difference between a great people and mediocre one. And that word is “courage”. Stay Happy And Healthy And Enjoy Life As A Senior! You cannot pick up a book or switch on the television these days without having a so-called expert preaching to you about the benefits of healthy living. Most of these experts have something to sell and so are easy to dismiss. However, all seniors should attempt to see through their gimmicks because a very important message lies at the heart of their sales pitch - we should all make the effort to be healthy in order to improve our quality of life. Seniors Please Note That Age Is No Excuse Not To Be Sociable! Seniors please note that age is no excuse not to be sociable! Many people in their sixties and above often use their age as an excuse not to socialize, citing that various activities should be left up to younger generations. This is definitely not the case. You are never too old to get out and about and socialize and there are thousands of great groups out there to get you involved in various activities and outings. In fact, when you pass a certain age and no longer work, socializing is often the only chance you get to see existing friends and make new ones. These friends should not be overlooked because they form as tight a support network as any other age group, often more so in fact! Don't forget that you can never have too many friends. Seniors And Their Pets: Companionship Or Trouble? Have you ever seen an 80 year old out walking his or her dog as you are on your way to work? If you have, and especially if it is at some ungodly time in the morning, then you will be wondering exactly how they do it? How can a senior in the later years of life actually take care of a pet? Now that you are coming up to retirement, or have retired as the case may be, you may actually begin to understand why seniors have pets. Pets, especially dogs and cats, provide a senior with company that can bring them an extraordinary amount of comfort for them when they begin to feel lonely. This is especially applicable to those seniors who do not have family, have family elsewhere or are widowed. However, choosing to have a pet is a big commitment for anyone, especially seniors who may suffer health difficulties in years to come. There are many things to consider before getting a pet, some of which are outlined below. Safety First: How To Stay Safe In Your Senior Years There is nothing worse than having what you consider to be a silly little accident but paying the price for it over the course of a few weeks. A simple trip over an object that has been left lying around can jar and individual's back, rendering him or her unable to move properly for anything up to a month, even if they are able bodied and in the peak of health. This risk is more pronounced in seniors than in any other age group because the body's ability to heal itself decreases with age. As a result, healing times are longer and it always possible that a full recovery will never be made. Of course, that is the effect of an accident at its most extreme level. However unlikely it may be that it happens that way, it is always a possibility and thus you really need to establish your safety as you move into your senior years. Rest Easy In Your Home: Seniors And Security If you watch the news or read the newspapers every day then you will know that crime rates have risen dramatically in most urban, suburban and rural areas in the last ten years. Members of our society perpetrate some heinous crimes, and reading about them is extremely unsettling, especially if you are classed as vulnerable and have very little means of defending yourself. Seniors are especially vulnerable, but you can take steps to protect yourself and increase your personal security. This involves no financial outlay and is mostly common sense, which can be exercised with very little effort. Relive Your Childhood: Seniors And Their Grandchildren One of the greatest joys in the life of any senior is their grandchildren. After doing the parent thing and being able to have the satisfaction of seeing your children grown into respectable and successful adults, you now get to look after their children, spoiling them rotten and then sending them home before they become too much of a handful! Grandchildren can inject a new lease of life into even the most exhausted of seniors and bring a new meaning to life. You may find yourself taking part in activities that you wouldn't dream of and visiting places that you wouldn't normally be caught dead in, but that is the beauty of looking after the young! Protect Yourself Against Every Eventuality: A Quick Guide To Insurance For Seniors Insurance is a huge part of the modern financial industry today. It is big business for many companies that use it to make a substantial profit at every opportunity. Every time you turn the pages of a consumer magazine, for example, another form of protection seems to jump off the pages at you. Insurers thrive on the question of "what if?" and seem to scare people into taking out their product policies. Whilst it may be a good idea to stay away from most policies that seem redundant, cell phone insurance or key insurance for example, it may also be a good idea for seniors to consider the most popular and enduring forms of insurance. They can get peace of mind by protecting themselves against the most common accidents, and especially those that ultimately prove to be the most costly. Powerful but Wise In the history of the world, there has never been an army as powerful as that of the United States of America. This has never been so dramatically demonstrated as it was when we ended a world war with the dropping of a few bombs over Japan. When those nuclear weapons exploded over Japan, the world gasped and stepped back and realized that America was a serious force to be respected. Poets and Revolutionaries The real test of a free society is the extent to which it allows within its borders the sometimes eccentric and often disturbing presence of poets and artists. That is what you notice if you read about totalitarian societies that want to clamp down on free speech and make everybody think the same way. The first areas to receive heavy censorship if not complete shut down are the arts, philosophy, theater and political, religious and philosophical dialog. Planning the Revolution The American system of government is easily the most innovative and successful applications of democracy and the republic in the history of the world. Our government takes a lot of criticism because sometimes the process we go through to bring new leaders into the government becomes contentious. But the genius that went into the organization and fundamental principles of how our government works was nothing short of revolutionary. Pinching The Pennies: Senior Tips For Saving Money If you are economical and always on the look out for ways to save money then will know just how hard a habit it is to break, but you will also know the rewards that pinching the pennies can bring. However, if you are one of those seniors that have always had a problem saving money then you may be in a situation where you cannot afford not to be economical. Very few seniors have a generous income unless they are making their savings work for them and thus every penny counts either way. There are many ways to save a bit of money, and it all soon adds up to cut your outgoings in half. The tips below will serve to do that for you if applied in the right way. Most of them are common sense, but even that needs reinforcing once in a while. Make Your Money Go Further: Seniors And Savings Accounts The younger generations perceive growing older as some sort of punishment for enjoying themselves in their youth. They have this bizarre notion that there are no positive features and perks of hitting 55 years old. However, what the youth of today don't seem to realise is that there are more perks associated with becoming a senior than there are being a teenager! Money is definitely one of them, as far as savings accounts are concerned anyway! Regular savings accounts tend to pay good rates of interest, which individuals can maximise if they shop around. However, the best rates tend to be reserved for seniors. Make The Most Of Your Shopping Trips: Tips For Seniors People of all ages and backgrounds have a fondness for shopping. It is a universal activity that can provide a common ground for even the most diverse of personalities to be able to get along. Whether it is the freedom of being able to choose your own food, clothes, furniture and entertainment or the excitement of spending the fruits of labour to make you feel better, everybody has a reason to want to shop! However, as you get older, the experience can become more exhausting and significantly less fun than it once was. Maybe you are unable to get around as well as you used to or maybe you now hate the crowds instead of thriving on them. Seniors should not see it as a chore though. It should be more of a challenge and chance to engage in a meaningful activity that makes the most of your everyday freedom! Keep The Body Young: A Senior's Guide To Exercise There are so many health experts that seem to preach to us everyday, apparently knowing what is best for us and pledging to make our lives better... if only we would follow this health program or that one! Unfortunately, health experts do not distinguish a man in his mid-twenties from a man in his mid-eighties, and obviously these two examples are on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to fulfilling their health needs. However, there are some general guidelines for seniors to adhere to when they do undertake some form of exercise. Hurting When They Hurt It is sad to say but in the last few years, we have had more than our share of opportunities to witness the devastation of tragedy, storms and catastrophes that have come upon mankind. From 911 to Katrina to the Tsunami to dozens of other floods, famines, earthquakes and other natural disasters, disasters of a phenomenal proportion have happened to people all around the world. Helping Or Hindering?: A Senior's Guide To Making The Most Of Your Family Having a family can be a wonderful thing. By nature, families are designed to provide love and support to members in need and act as an exclusive little society that it is a pleasure to belong to. However, they can also have an extremely negative effect on individual members. Some people find their families to be stifling because their opinions and perspectives can ultimately come into conflict with those of the individual. Depending on whether your family is liberal or conservative, the level of support for another's ideals and beliefs can vary greatly. This applies to seniors as much as it does to teenagers for a variety of reasons. Growing Together The measure of any great nation is how well it can adapt and change to the needs of its people. One of the things that Americans wanted to be sure was part of the very core of the American way of life is that we would strive together to make life better for all of us, not just a select few.
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