Baby boomers: Launch a new ship of discovery

You are a baby boomer who is ready to retire. Much to everyone's surprise, you are thinking seriously about launching a brand new career.

"What? You are launching a new career?” they ask. “But you have had one for forty years? Why on earth would you want to do that now, especially at your age?"

Reality is such that times change; so do people and their careers. Does launching a new career as a retiring baby boomer make any sense? Perhaps it does to you, but not to anyone else. (Your family and your friends have probably put you into a box that is already sealed, packaged and labeled with one occupation for life.)

"Wasn't your career choice, the reason that you spent your family's hard-earned money?” your inquisitor continues. “Have you forgotten how much money they invested in your university education? Are you just going to throw that all away now? What a pity! All of your efforts are wasted. Your mother and father would be so sad!"

Who is supposed to give you permission to change careers at this time in your life?

Guess what! As a baby boomer, you do not need to have permission from anyone to change your career. There is no ‘rule book’ that says that you cannot launch a brand new ship of discovery!

How you launch that new career as baby boomer depends upon you. In other words, if you can see your way to do it, go for it.

Begin by researching your new career idea first. Maybe you have a number of different ideas. Do not expect anyone else to understand them.

You may be amazed at what you find on the Internet with respect to possible career options. Times have definitely changed. There is a multiplicity of possible options for new career choices. It is no longer just doctor, lawyer, teacher or nurse. Are the alternative career choices appropriate for baby boomers?

Look realistically at your current job. That door is obviously closing.

Maybe you have been tired of that job for a long time, but you are too embarrassed to tell anyone. Perhaps your current job is too tedious. Maybe your work is becoming more strenuous than you are able to handle or are willing to admit. Perhaps you cannot cope with your current job mentally or emotionally. You know that the excitement about your job disappeared a long time ago. The challenge is no longer there for you.

Now begin to look ahead, realistically.

Can you find a new career (not necessarily a job) that is not going to be too tedious for you? Yes.

Can you see yourself working at a less strenuous task, one that you can handle mentally, emotionally and physically? Yes.

Have you found a career option that excites you and offers a brand new challenge? Yes!

That may be exactly what you are looking for!

Now take the number of possible career years that you still have ahead of you into consideration. Do you want to put all of those coming years into studying? Be aware that you may have to do that in order to reach the career level that you desire to achieve.

Realistically, you know that you may be running out of time. In fact, you may never have an opportunity to pursue a career in a particular field after you finish studying. In other words, you may be older than you think or feel. (Do not admit that to anyone but yourself.) Do not let that stop you. Entering into an extended academic program at this time of your life may not be the best choice for you to make; on the other hand, it could be the wisest decision that you will ever make.

You could pursue a doctorate. There are no ‘rule-books’ that forbid that. It may be only thing you want to do for the rest of your life. Perhaps you have always wanted to do that, but never could? Maybe you never had the time, money or opportunity to pursue that particular career.

What are you really interested in doing for the rest of your life? In other words, what kind of a career would you like to pursue now? What makes you happy? What excites you? What is your passion?

Pursue your passion!

There are numerous places where you can take various tests that will show you courses or career options that are appropriate and realistic for you to pursue as a baby boomer seeking a new career. Your courses and new career choice should be something that you are interested in pursuing.

Do not waste time fretting about something that you were interested in forty years ago. That opportunity may have passed you by completely. Those doors may still be open and if you are still serious about pursuing a career in that area, start by making some serious inquiries.

You know what mental, emotional and physical limitations you have. Be realistic about them. If you are honest with yourself, you know that if you feel appropriately challenged you will probably aspire to rise higher than ever in terms of a new career.

Do not let others make your new career decision for you even if you decide to talk to them about it. Listen closely to what they have to say. How you talk to them is as important as what you say to them. Always be aware that this is your life and your career, not theirs. Sometimes a career counselor can be more helpful than someone who is close to you.

You are in control of the new career ship, not your first mate, second mate or some wide-eyed pirate who is only interested in a free ride, or stealing your ship.

Your spouse or your children cannot make this decision for you, as much as they would like to do so. They probably realize that you are wrestling with your new career decision and want to help you. More than likely, they have your best interests at heart too. They love you. No one can make this decision but you. Your grandchildren, other family members or friends, may think they that should tell you what you could or should do. Hear them out, but the decision is ultimately yours, not theirs. (If they make the decision for you, they might relegate you to a senior's retirement home where you can play blackjack with your friends for the rest of your life. After all, you are retiring…right. Retired people go to senior's retirement homes to play cards, so that they are not a burden on their families.)

If you believe that, then you really are in trouble.

How you launch your new career is something that only you can decide. A lot will depend upon what direction you decide to go in terms of your new career. Consider all of your options first and then make a learned decision. It is far easier to change careers when you have the help and the co-operation of others, but that does not always happen. (Remember that your family and friends may keep on trying to put you back into the same career box. They are accustomed to see you doing exactly what you have been doing for the last forty years. They are comfortable with that. No one likes change, as it can seem threatening. You may have to teach them to think outside of that particular career box.)

Once you have made your decision, go for it. You will know if the decision is right for you. Then do whatever it takes to launch that new career. Others will soon realize that you have made the right decision when they see that you are happy and successful in your new career.

The career choice is yours. Launch that new ship, but as the captain, not the crew! Do not let any pirates dissuade you either. Offer them the option of walking the plank instead!

Circadian rhythm and biological time clocks

How do doctors and nurses manage to work such crazy hours? 

The inside life of hospital doctors and nurses is far more complex than the majority of outsiders will ever know. There can be many reasons for this including patterns in work shifts, as well as balancing home life. 

For new doctors and nurses who have never worked in a hospital environment for any length of time, juggling home life with work can present numerous problems, particularly at first. For example, registered nurses and doctors have to contend with sleep disorders that involve shift work. At the same time, hospitals always function with doctors and nurses working a wide range of shifts. In fact, they come and go all day and night. 

Maintaining a healthy life style is very important for doctors and nurses, as well as their families. This means that doctors and nurses need to get sufficient sleep, in order to cope with their work, as well as their personal lives. 

Let us examine the topic of sleep disorders more closely because 'when' doctors and nurses sleep, does have a definite bearing on what happens in their personal lives. Sometimes what happens with regard to their sleep can be positive, while at other times, it may be negative. Understanding circadian rhythm and biological time clocks will help doctors and nurses who have problems adjusting to working shifts in hospital settings. Shift work can wreak havoc on the personal lives of doctors and nurses as well as their families, at any time, because it increases the level of stress that they are under. 

Disturbed sleep patterns affect their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. While shift work sleep disorder can bring about tremendous upheaval in the lives of doctors or nurses and affect their work, as well as their home lives, it does not necessarily have to do so. 

What is shift work sleep disorder?

"Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are a family of sleep disorders affecting, among other things the timing of sleep." (1) 

What happens to doctors and nurses who experience circadian rhythm sleep disorders? 

"People with circadian sleep disorders are unable to sleep and wake at the times required for normal work, school, and or social needs." (2)

Can working shift work at a hospital prove to be a positive thing for those who have circadian rhythm sleep disorders? In other words, can they still get enough sleep?

"They are generally able to get enough sleep if allowed to sleep and wake at the times dictated by their body clocks.  Unless they have another sleep disorder, their sleep is of normal quality." (3)

This suggests that when doctors or nurses understand their biological clocks, they may be able to work the hours of shift work that are most appropriate for them with respect to their normal sleep patterns. Thus, at times, shift work can prove to be a good thing for those who do understand and are able to meet their sleep needs.

Because every person has his or her unique biological clock, the family life of a doctor or nurse can suffer, if there are other members in the family who function on different circadian rhythms.

There are two kinds of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. There are those that are extrinsic and those that are intrinsic. Extrinsic sleep disorders include shift work sleep disorder and jet lag. Shift work sleep disorder affects those who work night shift or rotating shifts, while jet lag affects those who cross several time zones. (4)

Not all doctors and nurses work shift work, but many do and thus may suffer shift work sleep disorder. Both doctors and nurses tend to travel, so there will also be times when jet lag can be a problem too.

Intrinsic circadian rhythm disorders include delayed sleep phase syndrome, advanced sleep phase syndrome, non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome and irregular sleep-wake pattern. (5)

Let us examine intrinsic circadian sleep rhythm disorders more closely because doctors and nurses, as well as other family members will benefit from becoming more aware of them. In fact, every person in a family may be able to adjust his or her hours of sleep, work and play around them, to some extent.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) "…causes a much later than normal timing of sleep onset and offset and a period of peak alertness in the middle of the night." (6)

These doctors and nurses tend to go to bed late and are often most active and productive in the middle of the night. Evening or night shift can work out perfectly for them especially when they have the opportunity to sleep during the day. Problems arise when others do not allow them to sleep in the daytime.

Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) "…causes difficulty staying awake in the evening and staying asleep in the morning." (7)

These doctors and nurses tend to go to sleep early in the evening and rise early in the morning, so they will function at their best when working day shift. They may frustrate spouses and others who insist on an active social life night and sleeping in.

Non-24 "…causes the affected individual's sleep to occur later and later each day, with the period of peak alertness also continuously moving around the clock from day to day." (8)

These doctors and nurses tend to be the ones whose constantly changing time of sleep, allows them to function on continually rotating shifts. Spouses and family members who insist on maintaining regular routines often have difficulty with those who have this kind of sleep pattern.

Irregular sleep-wake pattern "…presents as sleeping at very irregular times, and usually more than once per day (waking frequently during the night and taking naps during the day) but with total time asleep typical for the person's age." (9)

These doctors and nurses tend to be the ones who function well on any kind of work schedule, but they always need to take catnaps at work and at home. Taking catnaps at work can lead to dismissal. Taking catnaps at home all of the time often upsets other family members.

Still wondering about the inside life of hospital doctors and nurses? Perhaps their patterns in work shifts have far more to do with personal circadian rhythms and biological clocks than we are ever aware of, at any time.

Balancing home life and shift work becomes a lot easier when one begins to understand circadian rhythms. When a doctor or nurse can adjust his or her work or shift schedule to function in conjunction with his or her circadian rhythm, he or she will be able to obtain sufficient sleep. The doctor or nurse will become healthier and happier. His or her work and home life will improve 

There is an added bonus!

Circadian rhythms also "…affect body temperature, alertness, appetite, hormone secretion, etc." (10)

That means these doctors and nurses who follow their circadian rhythm feel great! No wonder doctors and nurses are able to work such crazy hours!

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm_sleep_ disorder

(2) Ibid.

(3) Ibid.

(4) Ibid.

(5) Ibid.

(6) Ibid.

(7) Ibid.

(8) Ibid.

(9) Ibid.

(10) Ibid.

Understanding an author platform

For authors, understanding author platform is crucial. Anyone who writes should have an appropriate way to ‘show case’, display or present his or her writing to others. Building an author platform is one way that authors can do that and increase their chances for success, at the same time.

What is an author platform?

The article entitled “What is a Writer/Author Platform?” uses a simple definition suggesting, “Platform, simply put, is your visibility as an author”.

http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/build-a-platform-start-blogging/building-a-writers-platform

In other words, the author platform will reveal “who you are”, “the personal and professional connections you have” and “any media outlets”.

http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/build-a-platform-start-blogging/building-a-writers-platform

Ask yourself this question. 

What is the image that you would like to present to the writer’s world on the Internet?

While not every author understands what an author platform is, others recognize it as a place where they can present their collective works for others to read. An author platform is not a writer’s market in itself, but it can prove to be beneficial as a potential marketing tool. For example, when a publisher asks for the portfolio of an author’s writing, the writer can direct him or her to his author platform.  

Consider these aspects of understanding an author platform.

Author profile and identification:

Keeping an updated writer’s profile on an author platform is important, as it allows the author a way to identify him or herself, so that others can relate to him or her immediately, regardless of the genre in which he or she presents his or her work. Many freelance writers use different genres and ‘show case’ them on the same author platform.

Professionalism:

Professionalism is a key to building a successful author platform, as well as for success as a writer. Publishers are not likely to seek non-professional writing. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the keys to professional and successful writing on the Internet. Networking with other professionals is also a good idea. 

Internet footprint:

The Internet footprint that an author creates when building an author platform will help to determine his or her success as a writer. In other words, what a freelance writer writes and publishes on the Internet is important in terms of how others perceive it. Many of the writer’s works will be from specific timeframes and a potential publisher will be able to see the changes in his or her work over time, as the first foot print leads to another and then to others.

Do the footprints on an author platform reveal steps or miss-steps by an author?     

Being aware of how valuable an author platform can be or become, will result in authors appreciating the merit of this kind of a website. They will take more pride in their writing when they see it in terms of their work is being ‘show cased’ on a website.  

Of course, the success of any author platform is dependent on the individual author, the time and energy he or she puts into writing and how he or she chooses to display his or her work. Anything worth doing is worth doing to the best of one’s ability and building an author platform is worth doing well.   

  

Doctor-patient confidentiality as it pertains to parents and minors

A minor patient enters his family doctor's office, appearing to be very ill and discloses personal information about his health status. He begs his family doctor, not to tell his parents.

"Please, don't tell my mom and dad!"

What is the family doctor morally, ethically and legally bound to do? In other words, how does doctor-patient confidentiality apply to minors?

Globally, medical doctors and other health care professionals, face this kind of a medical dilemma on a regular basis. The discretion and professional judgment of family doctors is extremely important. At the same time, the minor patient often places his family doctor in an awkward and difficult situation.

If the family doctor breaks the confidentiality of a minor patient, the patient may choose to walk away from medical treatment. Where there is a highly contagious disease that could spread rapidly to others if the minor patient does not receive appropriate medical treatment, other people's lives may be at risk. Many minor patients do not realize the serious nature of infectious diseases; nor do they know how quickly diseases can spread to others.

If the family doctor breaks the confidentiality of a minor patient and goes to the parents of the minor without the permission of the patient, there may be a total breakdown in the parent-minor patient relationship. This can be a less than ideal situation.

If the parents have the same family doctor as the minor patient and there is an effective doctor-patient relationship, it can break down when the family doctor discloses the truth to them.

"Why did you tell us about our son's medical condition? Now our relationship with him will be over."

When the family doctor does not disclose the truth to the minor's parents, the family doctor-parent relationship can break down, as well.

"Why did you not tell us about our son's medical condition? We trusted you as our family doctor."

Sometimes the situation can be even more difficult, for example, when the doctor is not the regular family doctor. There is no previously established trust relationship.

Each situation is unique and different.

The decision to disclose personal information about minors has many different aspects to consider.

Care, compassion and concern are an important aspect of any doctor-minor patient relationship, as well as any doctor-parent relationship. Trust, integrity and honesty in all directions are important.

Doctors do not want to become involved in moral, ethical and legal dilemmas with minor patients and their parents, even though it happens at times.

Immediate and appropriate medical treatment and counseling of the minor patient are important, particularly when this involves the lives of other people including family members. They should be aware when there is a serious health problem.

Parents and minor patients often remain in relatively good relationships regardless of a minor patient's health status. That makes it easier for family doctors or others, to bridge the gap between parents and minor patients when there is a difficult medical situation to deal with.

Most parents truly love their children and want what is best for them; minor patients need to know that.

Medical doctors will not generally walk away from difficult situations that involve minor patients; if anything, they will try to resolve the immediate medical issues or concerns in a way that benefits everyone. Be aware that any doctor has the option of recommending that a minor patient find another doctor, if the minor patient insists on non-disclosure to his parents, but that would normally be only as a last resort.

Family doctors are more likely to offer a minor patient a number of different options, regarding the necessary treatment and disclosure of personal medical information. This might involve having the minor patient talk to his or her parents when the family doctor is present or having the patient talk to his or her parents alone, as soon as possible, depending upon the maturity of the minor patient.

A lot depends upon the doctor, the kind of medical scenario that is taking place, the health status of the minor patient, as well as the minor-parent relationship.

There are many medical factors to consider. For example, the minor patient may need immediate hospitalization or have to be isolated to protect others from a contagious disease. The parents of a minor patient may need to sign medical-legal consents for treatment or surgery. Financial issues like the cost of hospitalization, medication or treatment may enter into the picture. Community health concerns are also important.
 

For anyone who is a minor with a serious health problem, it is always advisable to seek immediate medical treatment from a doctor and to trust the doctor to use his discretion and professional judgment with regard to medical treatment.

Yes, doctor-patient confidentiality applies to minors, but the issue of minor patient confidentiality may become secondary when there is a life-threatening situation that involves a minor patient or others. Difficult family situations are generally resolvable over time, particularly when minor patients trust their family doctors and other doctors, as well as their parents, to do what is right.

Families sometimes need counseling and medical guidance throughout a medical crisis involving a minor patient in order to restore broken relationships, but these kinds of relationships are repairable.

Healing of family relationships take place where there is love.
 

Caring For Baby Boomers and Seniors In Their Own Homes

With proper health care, you as a baby boomer or senior could live to be 100 years if age, or older. You can also be instrumental in helping other baby boomers or seniors live to be a ripe old age, in their own homes.

Senior care is becoming a major concern in North America, particularly because there are thousands of baby boomers and seniors in our era. By baby boomers, I am referring to those who were born after World War 11 and those over sixty five as seniors. It is only a matter of time, before baby boomers become seniors too.

The big problem for baby boomers and seniors lies in the reality that very soon, there are not going to be enough nurses, personal support workers or even family members to care for them, or perhaps for you, if you are a baby boomer heading into retirement.

Hospitalization or nursing home care may not be feasible or possible for the majority of baby boomers and seniors, in spite of the fact that it will be needed by many of them. For many,  it may mean twenty four hour care, seven days per week.

The actual cost of hospitalization and health care is extremely high already. Many baby boomers and seniors may not be able to afford the kind of care they will need.

What can we do to rectify this situation? Everyone of us has baby boomers and seniors in our lives; many of us are in baby boomer status already, or beyond that age.

Can baby boomers and seniors be cared for in their own homes? Definitely.

Ten tips for managing baby boomer or senior care at home:

1. Baby boomers and seniors are generally most comfortable in their own homes, with their family members and in amongst their own belongings. To take them out of that environment may result in dis-orientation. They are accustomed to the food, temperature, air, etc. and changing any or all of that may result in other, more serious problems. They are used to having people come and go in their lives, as well. This is the world that they know.

2. Safety is a major concern and the majority of baby boomers and seniors feel safe at home. In fact, most of them have already instituted safety precautions for themselves, although this is not always the case. One of the first things that must be taken into consideration is whether or not the baby boomers or seniors are safe. If not, immediate action is necessary on the part of the family or designated care giver.

3. In taking a serious look at health care in the home of baby boomers or seniors, it is always a good idea to do an assessment of the environment, in the light of what is currently happening. This can be done quite easily, by spending quality time with the baby boomers or seniors and other family members. Visiting the family doctor with the baby boomers or seniors, along with other family members is generally a good idea. Remember that many of these men and women will have had the same doctors for many years and their doctors may be almost the same age they are. The doctors will likely know the baby boomers or seniors well and their preferences must be taken into consideration.

4. Remember that baby boomers or seniors in need of care, will have definite ideas about what they expect in terms of their own health care needs. Many of them may not have had sufficient care in the recent past and will improve immensely when their proper health care needs are met. You may be totally amazed at the degree of improvement. They may or may not understand the current changes in the health care system, and you may have to explain it to them.

5. Dietary needs are especially important, as nutrition is a primary factor in health care. Assess the baby boomers or seniors for their ability to provide adequate food to sustain their health. Many of them  may not have sufficient income to provide for their own dietary requirements. They may need to obtain a supplemental income of some kind. A few may be hoarding their disability or old age pension checks and not using them to meet their needs. Find out who is looking after their finances and work with that family member or other person. If necessary, find or designate a family member to take the financial responsibility for them.

6. Assessing medical needs is a huge factor. Many baby boomers or seniors will be in need of wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. and have never had anyone to help them in this regard. They may need drugs that they cannot afford and will require assistance in that respect. They may require other health care items that can be obtained quite easily. What about their medications? Ask them if they are taking their medications? If not, why not? Where are they obtaining them and are they over-priced? Are they hoarding their medications or using out-dated medications? Have they obtained generic drugs? Do they know what generic drugs are? How are their medications stored? Do they know how to dispose of medications that are outdated or have not been used?

7. Spiritual needs are extremely important to baby boomers and seniors, as the era in which they grew up probably focused on having those needs met. Do they have a priest, pastor or chaplain? Is that person aware of what these baby boomers or other seniors stand in need of at this time in their lives? Make contact with the person of their choice, if they are not able to do so.

8. Have plans been made for baby boomers or seniors, should they pass away unexpectedly? Is there a 'DNR' (do not resuscitate) order request, signed by the baby boomers or seniors, family members and their doctor? Has a will been drawn up? If not, why not? Does he or she have legal counsel? What about power of attorney? This may prove to be extremely important in the future.

9. Fear and paranoia are major issues with baby boomers or seniors, as many have had bad experiences previously with others including health care workers, lawyers, doctors, etc. A lot of them have had their homes broken into and things stolen by people who they have trusted, including family members and friends. It is like losing a part of themselves when there is a violation like this in their homes. It is not easy to get people to trust you when they have been violated in some way, by someone else.

10. Health involves healing, happiness and wholeness. You can be instrumental in bringing this into the life of  baby boomers or seniors as minor care givers, family members, personal support workers or nurses. Consider carefully what you can or cannot do and then make a positive, constructive decision with respect to the baby boomers or seniors in your life or under your care. Care is important, but quality care is even more important.

Remember that there are those around you who have gone through this before and that you are not alone in caring for baby boomers or seniors. There are many organizations which can be of help, as well. What you do can be instrumental in helping others to live to a ripe old age.

Think about doing some of these things for yourself also, if you are a baby boomer or a senior and you could be among the ones who live to be a hundred years of age or older.

Identity Crisis 101: Find and Celebrate Your Identity

"I don't know who I am," is the cry of men and women, from all around the world. "I have lost my identity."

This is the kind of an identity crisis that can affect the rest of a person's life.

There are many people who seem to try to live their entire lives, in terms of the identity of their spouses. Sometimes there is the kind of trauma that results from trying to define one's whole life, in terms the identity of someone else. At other times, there may be the loss of a spouse or partner, with whom one has identified himself or herself. There may also be the situation in which one tries to find his or her own identity, in terms of a family member or friend.

Consider this example.

A young woman, always defines her identity in terms of her husband who is a doctor. Needless to say, he is a doctor; she is not a doctor. In her life role, she is a hairdresser. Trying to identify herself, in terms of his role and job as a doctor, becomes increasingly frustrating for her.

As a result, she grows more and more unhappy. She becomes aware of her own inadequacy, even in terms of trying to play the role of being a doctor's wife. Obviously, as a hair dresser, she realizes that her own personal identity, does not necessarily fit with that of the identity of her spouse.

She is who she actually is and what she is trained to do and does as an occupation defines her identity, at least to some extent. Having a spouse who is a doctor is only one part of her life. It is not her actual identity.

This can be true of a man as well, who defines himself in terms of being the husband of a very successful business woman. In this case, he is a mechanic. His happiness is at stake and so is hers simply because the training and the job that he has, identifies him. It is not the wife's role or job that gives him his identity. In this case he is not the successful business person, even though in his own way he may be very successful. So he too, becomes unhappy and frustrated.

In another instance, a person loses a spouse after years and years of marriage. The remaining spouse also loses the identity that he or she has taken on during that time, by seeing his or her own identity in terms of the departed spouse. Suddenly, the partner left behind experiences a total loss of identity and goes through an identity crisis.

Life can become tremendously confusing at this time as all of the stages of grief are part of this scenario too.

One of the realities in life is this. At some point in time, each one of us will probably be forced to walk alone. That is when we will come to understand who we really are and what our actual roles in life are to be, in conjunction with what we have been taught or have learned from others.

Finding one's own true identity is not an easy task but it is an essential undertaking, if we want to survive an identity crisis. We have to come to grips with who we really are.

There are always going to be those family and friends around us who will try to make us take on their identities, particularly when they see themselves as being on some kind of a unique pedestals.

We can try to be like them, behave or act like them and live our lives like them but the bottom line is that when push comes to shove, it is their identity that we are attempting to take on and not our own.

It may appear to be an appropriate identity for us for a while, but eventually there will be a breakdown of identity or an identity crisis.

In taking on the identity of another person, which is something that each one of us more than likely does at one time or another in our lives, it is extremely important that we acknowledge that this is what we are doing.

Recognition of that reality allows us to remain in touch with our own lives.

A son often takes on the identity of his father; a daughter tends to take on the identity of her mother. But ultimately, neither the son nor the daughter will really become the father or the mother, even though they may be like their parents in many ways.

In conclusion let me suggest that God has created each one of us to be special and unique in terms of having our own personal identity.

Thus, I cannot take on the identity of one of my family members or friends, simply because it pleases that person. I do not fit into my family member or friend's identity and he or she does not fit into mine. Acknowledging the reality that we are each special and unique in terms of personal identity allows us to be real.

You can be you and I can be me. Your identity is yours and mine is mine. Thank God for that!

We each need to acknowledge our own true identities, essentially who we are in God's plan for our lives. Then we will find ourselves truly blessed and much happier as the identity crisis is resolved for once and for all.

Find and celebrate your own identity!

Single Parent: Are you coping with empty nest syndrome?

Are you a single parent faced with empty nest syndrome, unsure how to cope on your own? You are not alone. You are aware of the problems a single parent has to face.  Keys to dealing with these kinds of problems include acceptance and attitude, action and adjusting.

The article “Single parenting and today's family” looks at some of the problems. With empty nest syndrome, a child seems old enough and responsible enough to leave home, like a baby bird that has to leave its nest, at one point or another. You know that in order for your child to move on in life, he or she has to strike out on his or her own. You may not like it, but you know that it is for the best and inevitable.

The problems faced by single parents do not necessarily disappear when a child leaves home. In fact, they may multiply, at times. There can also be the additional problem of coping with empty nest syndrome as a single parent. Both mothers and fathers have to deal with empty nest syndrome as single parents, at different times and for different reasons. It is not always easy.

Psychologically, empty nest syndrome is seldom without a tremendous tug on one’s heart strings and emotions, sometimes in a positive direction, but often in a negative direction. For a single parent, suddenly left on his or her own when a child leaves home, it can be devastating or exhilarating. A single parent who has raised a child alone often has strong psychological and emotional ties to that child and may have difficulty letting that child go away to college or university. Perhaps he or she is just beginning a new career somewhere and a major move for him or her is in order.

Can the child survive or not?

Parental responsibility for that child does not necessarily end when the child leaves home. Coping with the empty nest can be increasingly difficult when the child does not appear to be coping well on his or her own, after leaving home. There can be serious guilt related issues because of one’s single status.

There are things a single parent can do to cope with empty nest syndrome, including the following.

Acceptance:

Accepting the reality of inevitable transition in life is important for single parents. Times change, circumstances change and life goes on, with or without a child continuing to live at home. Making a determined effort to get on with life on one’s own, with that child at a distance, is not always easy, but it is possible.

Attitude:

The attitude of the single parent with respect to his or her empty nest is extremely important, as it will be a major factor in coping with the reality of suddenly being alone. Some single parents have difficulty being alone because they have developed some degree of dependency on a child while raising him or her.
With the right attitude, there are solutions. For example, other college and university students often need a place to live and a newly alone single parent can offer room and board for them. There are organizations that need volunteers for work with disabled children. Seeking professional counseling if the empty nest syndrome seems too overwhelming is another answer.

Action:

Positive action on the part of the single parent can reduce the anxiety and sense of loss experienced when suddenly on one’s own. Recognizing that empty nest syndrome is a common phenomenon and becoming involved with others in a support group, can prove beneficial for everyone. Getting involved in activities of one’s own choosing, like taking interest level courses in art or music, academic or employment skills upgrading, etc. can help fill in the empty hours and open new horizons of possibility.

Adjusting:

Being able to adjust to your new status in life is a sign of good mental and emotional health and well-being. In other words, be aware that your status is now different and will continue to change over the years. Empty nest syndrome presents a wonderful opportunity for you to expand your own horizons in life, should you choose to do so.

Adjust to the reality that your grown child is experiencing a new status in his or her life too, but it does not necessarily exclude you. In fact, he or she may secretly admire your ability to adjust to his or her transition in life.

Welcome your child home for holidays or special occasions. At a moment’s notice, visit your child in his or her new surroundings and your anxieties may be lessened. Appreciate his or her successes, as you have already laid the foundation for them. Keep the doors of communication open.

Consider the reality that empty nest syndrome may simply be a precursor to your pending new role as a grandparent, if or when your child marries and has children. Enjoy the reality that both of your lives are changing just as they should and celebrate the changes.

Eclipsing the Darkness

"Eclipse the darkness and shed new light."

Literary ingenuity enables freelance writers to take virtually any topic and expand it further and thus enhance it in some way.

It is like the sun suddenly breaking through from behind the moon, during an eclipse. The darkness of the moon signifies that which is already known, while the sun's rays, stretching out beyond the moon's perimeter, enter into the realm of discovery.

What lies in the darkness is yet to be discovered. As new discoveries are made, they should be documented or recorded by those qualified to write about them. Thus the task and the horizon of online freelancers continues to expand.  

Each freelance writer has unique priorities and preferences, when it comes to his or her mode of literary expression. What this means is that his or her readership can legitimately have the expectation of reading something new and different, at any time. While seeking to understand something further and write about that which is already known, or that which is found in the current realm of understanding, new discoveries are frequently made by freelancers.

What is discovered should rightly be attributed or credited to the freelancer who discovers it. The amount of work put into writing should never be under-estimated and every freelancer should be paid appropriately for his or her work.  Many freelancers write and are never paid for what they write, or if they are, the payment is often minimal, a mere token of appreciation or an incentive offered to encourage the freelancer to write more.

Addressing global marketing for freelance writing leads into the topic of writer's markets and appropriate pricing for articles produced by freelance writers everywhere around the globe.   

What is the appropriate payment for a freelance writer's article?

How is it calculated?

Continued growth of the Internet means that more online content producers will be needed. Eclipsing the darkness and shedding new light, is every freelancer's mandate and presents an ongoing challenge.    

    

About Freelancer Eclipse

Freelance Eclipse is a website designed by W. Diane Van Zwol, a freelance writer.

At this time, there is a rapidly expanding, online market with an increasing demand for acceptable and timely, well written web content that meets search engine optimization (SEO), online content standards.

Ideally, each freelance writer finds his or her own niche. The Internet presents a vast writer's market with many niches that currently need to be filled by freelance writers. This also presents a wonderful opportunity for freelance writers everywhere to expand their past or current horizons in a positive, constructive and motivational direction.

It also brings a new challenge to the literary world, as we know it today. Eclipse the darkness and shed new light!

Entrepreneurial freelance writers have an opportunity to eclipse the 'light' of the world locked into total or partial 'darkness', as they introduce new ideas, discoveries or concepts. It means rapidly expanding literary horizons with futuristic projections by freelance writers revealing and exposing errors resulting from previous lack of knowledge or comprehension. 

For example, "Love has a complexity, diversity and multiplicity of expression."

What would that have meant in the past? What does it mean now? What will it signify in the future, or in terms of the future of humankind?

Online content must be available and affordable, as well as literary content designed to meet the growing demands of a rapidly expanding horizon of readers everywhere.      

   
       
  

Freelancer Eclipse 

Freelance writing,

time sensitive web content 

that will shed a different light on the future,

create new horizons of discovery,

challenge the existing literary world

and refute the darkness. 

Freelancer Eclipse

W. Diane Van Zwol

Freelancer

R.N. (Retired), B.A. M.A.,
Certified Counselor
Certified Web Designer

Copyright 2012
All rights reserved