Boomers and Beyond:

RX for the Golden Years
by Heidemarie Rowe, RN    

    One can find a plethora of books out there that deal with the golden years. Some will insist this winter of our lives isn’t so golden at all, and many such publications are more a manual of survival. Mrs. Rowe, in her own distinctive way, brings back the luster, a luster comparable to diamonds sparkling on our winter’s snow at sunrise.
    The author invites us to join her on an adventure of prospecting for those illusive golden nuggets. She begins with a bit of humor, and then entices us into a mood of introspection through a brief look at life’s reality. A reality that is not so much a grand discovery, but one many refuse to actually consider seriously until it’s staring them, starkly, in the face from the morning mirror. And without the proper mental attire for the, what seems sudden, change of seasons.
    Mrs. Rowe’s Boomers and Beyond stands out among its published peers in the inspirational way these ensuing winter storms can be approached. Employing a delightful mix of topics and ideas, personal sharing and faith, and her own experience as a nurse, she offers new and different ways of thinking about things. Living each day to the fullest, having and following dreams, and greeting each moment with the kind of zest appropriate until the last breath is drawn, is right up my own alley. Obviously, we have to face the winter’s limitations thrust upon us, but regardless of the extent, we can still anticipate the gentle touch of a loved one, the fragrance of a flower, or a bird song until we depart on the journey beyond.
    What lends to the book’s rather unique appeal is that it isn’t limited to the more elderly, but purports a basic philosophy that can be, perhaps should be, applied at any age—a simple but profound philosophy that embraces the power of positive thinking, never giving up, trying something new, and practicing the golden rule (no pun intended). In addition to the useful information on options in the medical and professional realms, it closes with a wonderful list of sources for follow-up, including professional publications, addresses, and phone numbers where available.
    Thanks for a more broadened perspective, Mrs. Rowe, and I now find myself looking out the window with a hint of anticipation at seeing a snow cloud. And its attached rainbow, of course.

 For more information or to purchase the book, go to The Peppertree Press website at:

 www.peppertreepublishing.com, www.amazon.com, www.borders.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, or www.booksamillion.com.

Susan Haley is the author of Rainy Day People and Fibers in the Web, and a facilitator for the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Writers Association.
 

My Brain, My Future:

Improve Your Thinking
and Succeed in a Competitive World,
by Michael Durr

    

    My Brain, My Future focuses on a variety of thinking skills that will increase awareness of how thinking works and how it can be enhanced. The book is divided into five sections: Thinking Explained, Thinking to a Decision, Thinking Under Challenge, Thinking Applied, and Thinking Better. Each section is divided into several chapters. There is also an appendix, which includes sources and references.
    To help the reader visualize more easily what the text is saying, the author includes a variety of illustrations and shadow boxes that highlight important points. At the end of each chapter, there are several thinking activities called: The questions at the end of the chapter, Food for reflection, and Take your knowledge out for a spin. I found these to be excellent strategies to help the reader more easily understand and master the ideas proposed.
    According to Durr, “Thinking is the fundamental skill that empowers every other skill and talent that you possess or hope to possess. Like other skills, thinking can be learned.” Each of us has a dual-thought process; i.e., a conscious and unconscious mind. The unconscious mind was designed for rapid response, while the conscious mind was less about survival and more about flourishing in one’s society. These higher-order thinking skills include: memorization; understanding; application; analysis; synthesis, which looks for broader meaning; and transference of skills from one situation to another.
    We each have within us our own personal map of the world, which is created by our conscious minds from the sum of all our beliefs, prejudices, and accumulated knowledge. The purpose of the map is to help us personally understand how things work. Consistency and coherence of knowledge is a good truth test, especially if the information gathered has been rigorously tested. While information is necessary for knowledge, too much information overwhelms and confuses the individual. Tips on how to obtain enough information without being overwhelmed are offered.
    One of our challenges with thinking in a new way is that many of us try to function statically in a dynamic world. In other words, we behave as we did in the past, even though the new situation is different. Durr encourages the reader to think broadly to find direction and to think narrowly to achieve one’s goals. To help make a change in your thinking, the author suggests the reader: find opportunity in the unknown; select a goal; maximize the use of higher-order thinking skills; use both reason and emotion; and vary his or her style of thinking from purely intuition to reflection. Each of these strategies is discussed in depth.
    As with most scientific experiments, models, presentations, and relationships help to provide us with a clear framework for helping us to think more clearly. One model uses the components of setting, initiation, rationale, and result. Writing structured lists and organizational relationship charts are additional helpful strategies.
    Decisions come in all shapes and sizes, and they are not always easy to make correctly. Consider the following when making a decision: Do you trust the decision? Does it use the best available knowledge? Is it logical and reasoned? Does it agree with your values? How quickly must you make the decision? The best strategy for making a sound decision is to use a foundation of your past and present facts, while anticipating the future. Many of us are affected by Groundhog Day thinking—an assumption that what worked before will work again; that knowledge is changeless and what we have learned is valid; and lastly, that decisions are timeless (the decision will be as effective now as in the future). Changing this type of thinking is necessary to be a successful thinker.
    Several chapters are dedicated to risk, how people approach risk, and how they cope with it. Handling risk well can be very profitable for those who are not afraid of it. Risk is exciting and emotional, but that also makes you vulnerable. Because your perceived vulnerability will influence your degree of risk taking, it is important to evaluate risk, rather than just react to it. One way to address this is with reframing (looking at something from a different perspective).
    Your thinking is also influenced by your personal values, biases (preferences), and prejudices (unreasonable, preconceived judgment). By following the rules of good thinking, the reader will be able to increase his or her free will and avoid biases. Durr discusses four biases that occur in a popular business strategy.
    Contrary to general belief, emotion supports our thinking in most instances by motivating our thoughts. Although we can’t make decisions without emotions, the trick is to use our emotions properly for effective thinking. Chapter 13 addresses “Fast Thinking,” which describes the majority of our workday responses. Fast thinking relies on intuition, which stems from our knowledge and attitudes. Chapter 14 discusses thinking outside the box and the importance of appropriately measured creativity. Creativity can’t be overvalued, but can be overused when not used in the correct circumstances. The author describes a creative individual as being: open-minded, motivated, a non-conformist, a divergent thinker (considers new possibilities), curious, and courageous.
    Many people occasionally arrive at a point where they are unable to think effectively. This “brain freeze” happens when we are tired or overwhelmed. Chapter 16 discusses the sources of brain freeze and offers several strategies for coping with it. The most common sources of brain freeze occur when: we don’t take good physical care of our brains, emotions drive our thinking, our attention is overloaded, we’re overworked, and we’re overstressed.
    I highly recommend My Brain, My Future to anyone who is interested in becoming a better, more effective thinker. It’s the kind of book that you can read over and over and continue to glean new information. Mr. Durr has written nine books on communications and marketing and is a regular contributor to many magazines. He received a bachelor’s degree in business and technical communication from California State University—Fullerton. He also received a master’s degree with an emphasis in marketing communication. The book may be purchased through Infinity Publishing on the web (www.buybooksontheweb.com) or by calling 877-BUY BOOK.