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Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

Publisher's Letter May 2013 - Aging Gracefully

To me, May feels like a feminine kind of month. We step outdoors and catch the sweet fragrance of blossoms. Landscapes come alive with gentle, yet vibrant hues. Mother Earth’s creation is at its peak—and we celebrate and honor mothers everywhere.

That’s why our annual Women’s Wellness issue lands in May, although as always, men too, will find good ideas for tapping into their inner feminine side to up the feel-good meter. Like me, you may be happy to see that you’re on a pretty good track, according to the experts Kathleen Barnes interviewed for this month’s special feature, “Aging Gracefully.”

Exercise regularly—check. I’ve upped my number of weekly yoga classes, but know I could use more consistency and variety in my workouts. Eat the right foods—double check. I dropped wheat, gluten and dairy this year; the next step is to find healthy ways to increase my calorie intake. Take the right supplements —I’m on it. My recent blood work looked better than it has in 10 years. Hooray!

I realize that some things are tougher to set right, such as skin damage from too many hours in the sun. Yet I can’t imagine ever regretting a great day at the beach or boating with friends. Stress is another bugbear that I try to balance with meditation, walks in nature and fun activities—although some things seem worth it.

Already in May, my herbal teacup is overflowing. It begins with my Natural Awakenings kids (85-plus franchise publishers) coming for a visit. Our big-hearted family gathering filled with hugs and free-flowing ideas always re-inspires and regenerates me. It reminds me how decades of hard work is making a healthy difference in the lives of millions and helping to awake the world to sustainability.

Afterwards my daughter, Alina, and I leave for Europe to celebrate her 30th birthday, our special relationship and Mother’s Day. We look forward to connecting with family and friends in England and France, and seeing where else our free-spirited approach to traveling leads. The best part is that this is the first time in 20 years I am leaving my computer behind for more than a few days—a major breakthrough.

Upon returning home, I will pack up, start painting walls and move into a new home I just purchased. Since connecting with feng shui color master Linda Mundt two houses ago, I can’t imagine living in one that isn’t nurtured by my perfect colors, intuited by her trained perspective ([email protected]). I’m convinced that aging gracefully has as much to do with the colors we bring into our lives as everything else.

What’s your next adventure, big or small? It’s amazing how wonderful a simple morning beach swim can feel this time of year. Opportunities abound. Why not have some fun and take your mother or a favorite mom substitute along?

We salute women and girls everywhere that nurture, provide, inspire, protect, love and bring joy to those around them; I am equally inspired by good men that do the same. Once we rebalance the male and female energies within ourselves and on our planet, the resulting heart and mind connection can heal our world.

Happy May,

 Sharon Bruckman, Publisher

P.S. Happy birthday and Mother’s Day to my mom, who turns 90 this month. May I mature as gracefully as she has.