A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: Boomers

  • Encore 2016 Conference

    Through the power of an internet search, I recently found a new inspiration. Similar to my finding the green movement back in the mid 1980’s, I discovered Encore.org and attended their 2016 Conference held in San Francisco this past week.

    The mission of Encore is “to build a movement to tap the skills and experience of those in midlife and beyond to improve communities and the world.”

    The talent, level of commitment, enthusiasm, quality of good works and stories which I witnessed and heard increased my own dedication to sharing positive information and tips and techniques to my Baby Boomer community.  I look forward to sharing many of these stories and projects in the coming weeks.

    But first, a word about how we are called.  There are many terms floating out there – Baby Boomer, Older Boomers, Seniors, Elders, Adults 50+, in our Second Stage, Third Acts. We are Reinventing Ourselves, Mature, Experienced.  I bring this up now because even the hundreds of attendees at the conference don’t have consensus of how to address our audience. So please don’t be offended if I use a name which doesn’t fit your image of yourself. But help out by leaving a comment of your preference.

    One thing is clear, there is a large growing movement of “Boomers” out there making a difference in their own communities and around the world. I am proud to be a part of it.

  • Proud to be an Elder

     

    IMG_3376I choose to be an elder. I am a proud member of Gen E.

    Okay, I admit it, I do feel old saying – I am an elder. Of course, I also can’t believe I’m in my 60’s.

    My last post included several definitions for an Elder. We learned that by society standards, elders are known for their interest in mentoring and for sharing their long life experiences. Elders also can model a sense of oneness with Earth and often, act as the spiritual agent for one’s community.

    One way, I embrace my role as an Elder is by writing this blog for the Gen E population. I will mentor and coach our community to make a difference by:

    defining and living their legacy,

    living sustainably

    giving back.

    These three areas have defined my life for over 25 years and I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with you.

    So take a moment and consider:

    Where you are in your life?
    Do you feel fulfilled?
    Are you Happy?
    Are you making a difference?

    We have the chance to rewrite our future history about our success as a generation. We can step up and lead, mentor, and teach.

    Be an elder!

     

     

  • Boomer Activism

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    The Skies the Limit

    Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic or environmental change, or stasis. Various forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins and hunger strikes. Research is beginning to explore how activist groups in the United States and Canada are using social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action. (From Wikipedia)

    Back in the 1960’s, many boomers took a stand. We became activists.

    We marched, protested, challenged old rules and norms. We made our voices be heard.

    We fought for the advancement of civil rights, of sexual ethics, workplace flexibility and diversity, environmental values, and women’s equality.

    We experimented with sex, drugs and rock and roll.  We engaged in our own personal development.

    How sad and frustrating that over 50 years later many of the same issues we fought for still exist.

    Did we believe that business and government would represent our best interests?

    So maybe we dropped the ball. Did we become complacent with the status quo?  Did we rely on others to fight our fights?

    Unfortunately, I think there is truth to these questions. We buried our heads in the sand so continued disparity and inequality grew around us.

    Okay we can admit our failure and let the battle for equality begin anew.

    Inequality for diversity, women, veterans, youth and older people lives deserve our support. Which group speaks to your heart? What program can you begin or support an existing one?

    We may believe that one person cannot make a difference but we also know this is not true.  Thousands of individual stories exist as individuals saw a problem and work to resolve it.

    As boomers, we have numbers, power, experience and resources on our side. We can use our talents to make a real difference for ourselves, others and for the planet.

    We all have the opportunity to STEP UP and make a change to better a situation.

    What contribution are we going to make individually and as a generation?  This opportunity can be so exciting and challenging as well. But let’s do it.

    Don’t be shy – email me with your story of change for others.

    I would love to post it on my new web page – successes. Let your tale inspire others to STEP UP as well.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The Baby Boomers Legacy – so far.

    Sunset 1

    While researching boomer topics and trends for this blog, I found numerous articles by experts and amateurs filled with such negativity about our generation. We have been called self-absorbed, self-centered, self-indulged and self-loathing (really??)  and just plain selfish.

    Here are two examples from fellow boomers:

    Joe Klien (Time magazine) “For the past several years, I’ve been harboring a fantasy, a last political crusade for the baby-boomer generation.  We, who started on a path of righteousness, marching for civil rights and against the war in Vietnam, need to find an appropriately high-minded approach to life’s exit ramp.”

    And:

    The “Me” Decade and the Third Great Awakening

    “. . . The new alchemical dream is: changing one’s personality—remaking, remodeling, elevating, and polishing one’s very self . . . and observing, studying, and doting on it. (Me!) . . .”   By Tom Wolfe

    According to Baby Boomer magazine, Boomers:

    • Have more discretionary income than any other group in America.
    • Control 70% of the total net worth of the American households.
    • Own 80% of all savings and loan associations.
    • Are not fanatically loyal to brands.
    • Watch more TV than any other group.
    • Read more newspapers than any other group.
    • Account for 40% of total consumer demand in the US.

    These statistics show boomers have a lot of power, resources and potential influence.

    However, this magazine article does not show the entire picture. The plight of millions of other older Americans are startling.

    Some statistics from “The Economic Collapse:

    #2 According to a recent poll conducted by Americans for Secure Retirement, 88 percent of all Americans are worried about “maintaining a comfortable standard of living in retirement”.  Last year, that figure was at 73 percent.

    #4 Today, one out of every six elderly Americans lives below the federal poverty line.

    #10 According to a recent AARP survey of Baby Boomers, 40 percent of  them plan to work “until they drop”.

    Read more statistics from The Economic Collapse at:  http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/25-bitter-and-painful-facts-about-the-coming-baby-boomer-retirement-crisis-that-will-blow-your-mind

    So the question is:

    How will Boomers use their financial power?”

    Can we redeem ourselves and leave a positive legacy in this 3rd act?

    Can we “Make a difference for Ourselves, Others and the Planet?

    While I can’t deny, we could have done a much better job with the opportunities we were given, I’m still hopeful that we can Step Up and make a significant contributions to society as we age.

    As I continue to write, I will search for and share success stories of boomers who are making a positive impact in society.

     

  • When I’m 64.

    blog post

    I cannot believe that I am 64! Of course I said this when I turned 50, then 60 and now 64.

    Many of you might have too.

    This is a big year for me.  I set out to re-invent myself and I know I am not alone.

    Like many boomers, I ponder where life will take me next? What’s in store?

    I have had a dream for awhile now and am finally ready to make it happen.

    Today I launch ABoomersFootprint.com.  Some of you have heard me talk about this idea for perhaps 10 years.  Yes, 10 years.

    In my defense, I can say honing the message, thinking about my readers and gaining the self-confidence that transitioning from accountant to writer were possible took some time. But now I BELIEVE.

    My message, better outlined on the Mission and About Dorothy pages is to present topics and conversations in areas of importance to Boomers in which I have experience and knowledge.  This is why I have chosen the tag line:

    Making a Difference for Ourselves, Others and the Planet

    As boomers, we have plenty of critics who focus on how selfish we were and still are.

    While there may be truth to this point, we also have made great contributions so far.

    The past is the past. The question now is:

    How will we make a difference in our future?

    During this “3rd act in life”, our opportunities and needs will change. In ABoomersFootprint.com I want to educate, encourage and challenge all of us to take personal and community responsibility for our choices as we age.

    Are you ready?  Stay tuned.