Excerpt from my book: SUDDENLY SINGLE & OVER 50

Chapter 12 - HOME BASE

…Whenever my life may lack meaning, I return to Home Base to find that meaning. It is there that I re-orchestrate the meaning and purpose of my life. Home Base is a metaphorical place I realized into being. It represents the paradigm, frame of mind and viewpoint on my life and its circumstances.

It is there I asked how much time I had in my life and what would be important without restrictions. How was my time to be apportioned? Could I control it?...

...Here is some rough arithmetic to put things in perspective - to see how much time was allotted to, or already spent doing the usual things people do in their lives. This is what I came up with:

Assume a human being might live an average of 70 years - that’s approximately 613,000 hours of life – not too bad you might suppose. We can deduct from that: an average of 202,000 ‘no longer usable hours’, which includes 6,600 twenty-four hour days devoted to reaching legal adulthood at age 18 and 1,800 twenty-four hour days enjoying or doddering away in some form of retirement - beginning maybe at age 65.

Forty-seven years remain, or 411,000 hours. Deduct 134,000 hours of time for weekends, vacations, and holidays that might be devoted to pure leisure, relaxation, and personal chores. Approximately 277,000 hours of lifetime remains to be used as best as possible hopefully to our benefit. Of that, it is said that 8 hours a day of sleep is required for good health - or 92,000 hours. Working an 8 hour day job reduces it by another 93,000 hours. The remaining 8 hours of the 24 hour day, or 92,000 hours of lifetime, is where we change the routine, make a difference and improve our lot.

On the other hand, we can waste the greater percentage of that portion of time by relieving the stress and hardships of our daily routine by occupying ourselves with whatever entertaining diversions, we believe might help – only to relive again, on a following day, that quiet desperation that keeps so many of us in an overwhelming and stressed-out enslavement.

This analysis must sound like a Twilight Zone movie. I suppose others could prorate their lifetime differently; however, the exactness of this analysis is not important, nor was it intended to sadden or depress anyone because they might believe they have wasted their life and run out time. Nothing is ever a waste of time. Every minute we spend breathing and doing what we do, brings us closer to our Home Base - to that place where it all really matters, where we have the opportunity to explore the world and start fresh and anew, every time we feel like it; and Home Base is always as perfect as perfect can be…

19 Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Even in uncertain times, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.

"True wealth is the ability to fully experience life."

~ Henry David Thoreau

1.You are alive.

2.You are able to see the sunrise and the sunset.

3.You are able to hear birds sing and waves crash.

4.You can walk outside and feel the breeze through your hair and the sun’s warmth on your skin.

5.You have tasted the sweetness of chocolate cake.

6.You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.

7.You awoke this morning with a roof over your head.

8.You had a choice of what clothes to wear.

9 .You haven’t feared for your life today.

10.You have overcome some considerable obstacles, and you have learned and survived.

11.You often worry about what you’re going to do with your life – your career, your family, the next step, etc. – which means you have ambition, passion, drive, and the freedom to make your own decisions.

12.You live in a country that protects your basic human rights and civil liberties.

13.You are reasonably strong and healthy – if you got sick today, you could recover.

14.You have a friend or relative who misses you and looks forward to your next visit.

15.You have someone with whom to reminisce about ‘the good old days.’

16.You have access to clean drinking water.

17.You have access to medical care.

18.You have access to the Internet.

19.You can read.

The truth is, you’re doing better than a lot of people in this world.  So remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Suddenly Single & Over 50

 Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...

Breaking through the fog of the doldrums 

Let me know what you think.

Picture:  http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3smd1o

A Man's or Woman's Strength

Over 50 - A Divorced Man's Point Of View


A Man's or Woman's Strength

A man's or woman's strength isn't just about how much they can handle before they reach their breaking point. It's also about how much they must handle when beyond that point. Always be positive and hopeful because life is all about doors closing while new ones are opening. 

And, things will always improve when you no longer give power to the negative thoughts. Concentrate on the positive and happy issues, and energy will flow where thinking goes.

Please share your thoughts and comments with me. 

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View

 Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...

Breaking through the fog of the doldrums 

The Mind - The Engine Of Creativity

Everyone ought to discover how to do this. 

Begin by reading Napoleon Hill's famous book... 

'Think and Grow Rich'.

Please share your thoughts and comments with me. 

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View

 Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...
Breaking through the fog of the doldrums

Awesome advise on how to live a healthy, happy, and rewarding life:

Pingates

Are you seeking ways to transform your life... and move yourself out of the fog of the doldrums?

Discover the Dalai Lama's 18 Rules For Living. Apply them in your daily thinking and they can change your life for the better.

 The Dalai Lama's 18 Rules For Living

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
 
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
 
3. Follow the three Rs: -Respect for self -Respect for others -Responsibility for all your actions.
 
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
 
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
 
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
 
7. When you realize you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.
 
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
 
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
 
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
 
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
 
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. 
Don’t bring up the past.
 
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
 
15. Be gentle with the earth.
 
16. Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.
 
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other 
exceeds your need for each other.
 
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.


Thank you http://peacefuldaily.com/ for this wonderful information. 


Think about all these rules and incorporate them into living your life,
and given a little time - see how it changes everything in such an incredible way. 

Please share your comments and thoughts with me.

 

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View

 Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...
Breaking through the fog of the doldrums 

The Other Seven Wonders Of The World

Do you recall what the long accepted seven wonders of the world are?

Here is what they are:

But there is another set of incredible wonders to consider and incorporate in your life and daily thinking about yourself.

Young school children were assigned a task to list the known seven wonders. 

Following is an awesome list submitted by a little girl. 

Look at them and consider how blessed you are to have them in your life... and what your life would be without them.

Discover what they are:

 
Oh yes, what a perfect set of wonders provided by your Creator for you. 
Embrace these gifts, because nothing compares to their grandeur. 
Now go forward and build a beautiful new and happy life.


Please share with me you thoughts and comments.

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View

 Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...
Breaking through the fog of the doldrums 

How To Create Your Life

Do you ever wonder how some people manage to create into their lives everything they desire?

Some people work hard in the physical world to earn it, but some simply know how to create by their thinking.  

Thoughts are things, and they are energy, and energy vibrates. As you think - energy flows to what you are thinking about. It is a cosmic law of the Universe. It is mind over matter, and it's true.

 

We come into life having all that we need to know about all that there is to know. Then soon after birth... we forget all of it, and we have to start learning from scratch what we have forgotten. It is never too late to learn the secrets of Cosmos - which include the secrets of manifestation and creation.

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View

 

Welcome to my world and what I figured out by...

 Breaking through the fog of the doldrums

Pingates

Sardonic Insights

Is it... To Be or Not To Be?

or

Is it... To Age or Not To Age?

In my opinion it is... Be Extraordinary In Living Life - Age Gracefully and Graciously - Do Not Get Old, Think Old, or Behave Old - Remain Forever Youthful In Body, Mind, and Spirit.

Enjoy the levity of these cartoons and have an extraordinary and ageless day:

Steve,

Becoming Extraordinary By Loving Life Through People

 

Put Yourself In A State Of Peace And Tranquility.

Did you know being at peace is soothing and healthy? 

Being stressed out most all the time is not healthy, and definitely not a happy lifestyle. If stress is allowed to consume you... physical, mental, or emotional sickness can surely follow. It's true!


Understandably, stress is all around us during these difficult and trying times we live in. There are depressing world and national events, tough conditions in the work place, demands of family life, and personal trauma... none of which make life easy and pleasant. 

Even though we can find no solutions it doesn't mean we have to live our lives as a basket case. 


I am in the same boat as everyone, but I control my life and the stress, because I choose to remain strong in dealing with my challenges.



Here's what I do:


First... I am not a Zen Buddhist - although I know how calm it makes their life. 

Second... It is not always practical to pick up and physically go to some place that makes me feel good. 

Third... my home may be in disarray, and the beach, forests, and mountains may be inconveniently too far away to enjoy their sanctuary. Meditation might help if only I could quiet my mind, which is a relentless chatter box. 

I can, however, create a picture in my mind of a wonderful relaxing place like either of the two pictures shown here. Whether it is a calming room, or a secluded beach all to myself... I create such images and file them into my memory, 

Then, I can bring them back to mind anytime I feel stressed out. It automatically soothes me with an interlude of peacefulness where I can better face my challenges in a stress-free frame of mind.



Ponder on these pictures and see what I mean. Try out these images or any others of choice to see how good it feels being there, when needing to be there, and how it takes the pressure off - even if for a little while. The trick is to do it as often as needed.

This is good advice. Consider it poor man's therapy, and don't dismiss it before really giving it a go, because it works.



Please share with me your comments, thoughts, and experiences, and feel free to share this post with everyone you choose.



In serenity, health and strength,

Steve Kerner


Becoming Extraordinary
By Loving Life Through People

Ponder On This

A little inspiration is always beneficial, especially during hard times.
Take a break and ponder on this.

"Envision possibility. Don't worry who else believes in it; the universe is only looking for instructions from you."

~ Marianne Williamson

"Envision the successful completion of possibility, while feeling the joy of it already having come into your life, and you can be assured that the Universe is already sending your way - that which you envisioned as being possible."
~ SK

 

 

Share with me your comments and thoughts.


Steve Kerner

Becoming Extraordinary
By Loving Life Through People

Quotes To Invigorate Your Day

Read These Quotes, Because They Say So Much In A Short And Simple Way.

~ Anon ~

"Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."

~ Bil Keane ~ 

"Technology is like a steamroller.  If you stand in it's way... you become part of the pavement."

~ Anon ~

 ~ Anon ~

 "Don't just read and listen; question everything that you read and hear. Teach your children and everyone else to do the same. It will enhance your ability to think and reason"

~  Steve - Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View ~

Home Base

Where Is Your 'Home Base'?

Look how calm and serene this picture is.  This is a representation of how your 'Home Base' should make you feel. You don't play baseball here, so it has nothing to do with baseball diamonds and home plates. So, what is it?

'Home Base' is your landing place... a soft place to fall where you can heal your wounds and cry in quiet privacy, if you need to. 

It is your own personal place where you take some moments to celebrate the home runs of your achievements or gripe about your disappointments... in dignity. 

It's a place to take time re-discovering that the living of life is the meaning of life, no matter how cruel it may sometimes be.

It is your anchor from which to reflect upon things and plan new ways on your life's journey. Often, a quiet solitude sparks the imagination into new and uniquely creative ideas.

Not everyone has the luxury of such a special physical environment in their home. So, 'Home Base' is more than the physical. It is best when it resides within you, and you can take it wherever you go... out on the ocean fishing, at the beach swimming, in the park walking, or... even in a little corner of your home simply enhanced with a little plant, a nice picture, even a candle - to make it your special place to revitalize yourself and your world. 

Home Base is discussed in Chapter 12 of my book entitled "Over 50... A Single Man's Point Of View".

~ Steve - Over 50... A Divorced Man's Point Of View ~

 

What Turns You On?

Did you ever see the Cadillac CTS commercial that asked, "When you turn on the engine, does it return the favor?" That is a very clever and challenging question.

Now rewrite the question as follows:

"When you turn on (your day), does it return the favor?"
If your day does not excite you - ask yourself why and then change your thinking - because it should.

~ Steve - Over 50... A Single Man's Point Of View ~

Specialization Is For Insects

  
Do You Limit Yourself?
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-- Robert A. Heinlein -- from The Notebooks of Lazarus Long

Did you find this quote interesting? Maybe it means you should expand your thinking, doing, and enjoying beyond the set things you are accustomed to in your everyday life. Break routine and think outside of the box. Explore all that life has to offer. Try out a new paradigm.

~ Steve… Over 50 - A Divorsed Man’s Point Of View ~