January 2025 News and Views

A New Year, A Fresh Start!



As we step into 2025, we are filled with excitement and determination to make a lasting impact in our Larimer County communities. Every new year brings fresh opportunities, and together, we can create meaningful change!

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our Mission Sponsor, UCHealth, for their unwavering support. The UCHealth team continues to champion PAFC’s mission of cultivating communities where people of ALL ages can flourish. With their partnership, we can ensure that older adults in Larimer County have the resources they need to THRIVE in 2025 and beyond.

💙 THANK YOU, UCHealth, for your dedication and support! 💙



Holding Space for a Difficult Start to 2025

As we step into the new year with hope and fresh goals, we also recognize that 2025 has already brought unexpected hardships for many. From the devastating fires in Los Angeles to the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., our hearts go out to those affected by these events.

Even from afar, it’s natural to feel the weight of such difficult news. If you're feeling unsettled or stressed, know that you’re not alone. Let’s continue to support one another, check in on friends and neighbors, and find ways—big or small—to spread kindness in our own communities.

Together, we can make this year one of resilience, connection, and care. 💜

How To Be Your Own BEST Valentine

By Lynette Reiling

Author of Your Encore Life: Take Center Stage for Life’s Second Half

February, ah….. the month of love. Here is a secret. It is not just a month of romantic love.

Look in the mirror. It is also a month to remind ourselves, especially when we are in the midst of

change, how essential self-love is.

If there is one word that represents midlife it is CHANGE! Just stop for a moment and think

about all the changes you are experiencing at this very moment; relationships, life roles, an

aging body or mind, moving, career shifting. You have your personal list. Then there is the big

Kahuna we are all sharing collectively– political shifts.

Here is the question of the hour. How do you talk to and treat yourself when you are in the

midst of change; suffering, feeling afraid, confused, inadequate, angry, or feeling like a failure?

What would you say and how would you treat a friend who is struggling with a similar situation?

Are the voices and actions similar or are they glaringly different? The difference in the two are

directly related to your self-compassion quotient; the ability to “put an arm around yourself and

be your own best friend in the midst of difficult times”.

I can already hear some of your comments. Self-compassion is for wimps! I need to be strong.

Self-love is way to selfish and self-focused. I need to be hard on myself and push to continue

being successful. What will others think if I take care of myself before them? Notice your

energy level with your use of that kind of self-talk when you are struggling. Mine takes a

nosedive.

Hold the phone!! Research and experience points to the opposite when it comes to self-

compassion. It fosters strength, greater self-confidence, greater happiness and more

satisfaction, stronger motivation, and better mental/physical health.

Being a woman who has moved into her second half of life, I think this is the most important

reason for practicing self-love and compassion; it creates a safe inner space to fuel creative

thinking and foster resilience. Resilience is the ability to pivot again and again with life’s

changes. It is a muscle needed by all of us to manage the modifications inherent with aging.

February is here. Just for this month, sprinkle in more self-love. You may find it leads to a

heartfelt new habit.

Intentionally Slow

by Suzie Daggett

All my life I was the energizer bunny, intuitively making decisions in an instant, moving fast, thinking fast, working fast, creating ideas with speed. In my business life, I could figure out how to create an event or a healing arts directory and get the job done fast with ease (or so I thought!). As a mom, I could carry the babe, talk on the phone and make dinner. It was normal and natural. My nervous system, fueled by busyness, was my go-to; relaxing was hard. Now, however, I have intentionally decided to slow my thoughts, actions and deeds. My path is to be in a mindful state rather than to repeat old habits stemming from unconscious reactive attitudes.

Being a bonafide senior, I now choose to be more deliberate in my thoughts and movements. Perhaps this came about after my total knee replacement when new body parts changed my previous walking patterns. Perhaps it came from taking the time to watch how my busy mind did not keep up with my slower body. I realized my overactive distracted mind can easily cause problems. In a milli-second of mind wandering, red wine can be spilled on the light carpet, lids not tightened can cause a mess, moving too quickly causes my clumsy hands to be in the wrong place creating oops moments, tripping going up or down stairs could cause a tumble, driving too fast gets a ticket. It’s all about focus. Am I distracted with my overactive mind or am I aware of my surroundings? 

Certainly we all slow down as we age. Our bodies are not 40, 50 or 60 anymore. We watch our body slowly change and mostly accept what is in front of us. But, our minds, that is a different story. I have yet to chat with anyone (other than long term practiced meditators) who have figured out how to slow their worry, distraction, future what ifs, past mistakes, general life fears, concerns for what or who is on your mind, or ideas of how life should or could have been. I now realize my future or past thoughts are a distraction to the present moment. This revelation has taken more time than I care to admit!

A class on how to live mindfully has helped considerably. Finally, with practice, I have taken the initiative and time to slow down as I learn to be in the moment. Over and over, I remind myself to stay present, breathe through rough times, focus attention on what I am doing rather than what is distracting me and to be kind to myself and others without judging. As I continue to practice being mindful, I find old habits drop by the wayside while new habits of pausing to consider action take hold. For instance, during a heated discussion, I might revert to old habits of quickly answering without really listening or taking a breath. With awareness and a mindful attitude, I now take time to pause, breathe deeply and consider my response. Mostly I am in the preschool of mindful living: however, I hope to graduate to mindful kindergarten as I continue to slow down and practice living with intention and awareness.

For more information on mindful living, consider reading Meeting the Moment with Kindness by Sue Schneider, PhD.

Suzie Daggett is the author of: The Pink Door ~ Moms’ Journey to the Other Side providing a roadmap to assist elders in their dying process and comfort the caregiver; From Ego to Soul ~ Discover what your Soul needs and what your Ego wants; and PEARLS ~ 52 Contemplative Insights. Suzie’s gift is to spin practical easily understood real life advice to bring clarity to everyday living.

Visit Suzie's Facebook page!



Join Our Upcoming Lunch & Learn Events!



Friday, March 7th

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Online via ZOOM

Exploring AI: ChatGPT Basics

with Karrie Grama-Hatfield

Have you heard about ChatGPT but aren’t quite sure what it is or how it works? Join us for a fun and informative Lunch & Learn session where we’ll explore the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and how tools like ChatGPT can help with everyday tasks!

In this beginner-friendly session, you'll learn:

✅ What ChatGPT is and how it works

✅ How AI can assist with writing, organization, and even entertainment

✅ Simple ways to try it out for yourself—no tech experience needed!

Bring your lunch, your curiosity, and your questions—we’ll make AI fun and approachable! Let's take the first step in exploring this exciting technology!

No registration necessary; just click the button below to join via Zoom on March 7th at 12:00pm!

www.PAFCLarimer.org



970-310-4900