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A note from the author

Spring has sprung and everything seems brighter! I find this season to be my favorite because of the beauty and the rebirth it symbolizes… not unlike the type of transformation I contemplated as I started my company.

Over the last couple of months we have definitely seen some changes. Probably the biggest is the passage of the Health Reform Act. We have also seen the economy show some signs of recovery. They are small, but going in the right direction (and at this point, we’ll take it). So let’s welcome the changes and jump into business!

The Outlook

According the economists at The Conference Board (a NY based not-for-profit membership organization that collects and reports economic data), a 3.2% rise in Gross Domestic Product (annualized) in the first quarter confirms that the US economy continues to recover, but they caution that the path ahead will remain a bit bumpy. So, slow going, but progress nonetheless. Unemployment for the total US remained steady at 9.7%, and is projected to slowly improve over the next several months. Of course, this varies for each state, and Florida (the state in which I reside) ended March 2010 at 12.3% unemployment (5th highest in the nation), up marginally from February. While this may seem bleak, the good news is that there was a 10% increase in new job listings from February to March (in Florida), so there are jobs out there. The trick – to match those without jobs to the jobs available – not easy but there is certainly potential. Finally, The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased 5.6 points from March 2010 to April 2010. Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "Consumer confidence, which had rebounded in March, gained further ground in April. The Index is now at its highest reading in about a year and a half (Sept. 2008). Consumers’ concerns about current business and labor market conditions eased again. And, their outlook regarding business conditions and the labor market was also more positive than last month. Looking ahead, continued job growth will be key in sustaining positive momentum."

Health Care Reform

As we all know, the Health Reform Act (formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act) was passed into law during the month of March through an extremely contentious process. As a result, there is much skepticism about what it actually is, what it will do, how it will be done, and how much it will cost. My blog (http://transformingtransitions.com/blog/?cat=11), covered the timeline, and in addition to that, I have some facts from the National Council on Aging that speak directly to the impact on the older population. Here are the facts as published by the NCOA:

The law will provide health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans – plus extra protections for most people who currently have insurance.
The law will not cut any benefits provided under traditional Medicare – and it will even improve some benefits.
The law will help you find and afford long-term care at home.
The law will improve care for older Americans in other ways.
The law will reduce Medicare spending growth – and it is fully paid for.

To see the entire article by the NCOA, access this link: http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

Volunteering

The month of April included one week designated as National Volunteer Week. If you are interested in some surprising statistics, take a look at my April 25th blog (http://transformingtransitions.com/blog/?cat=12). And if you’re really interested in finding out more, read the book Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research that Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Lifeby Jill Neimark and Stephen Post, Phd. Better yet, why not just go out and help someone? Some suggested sources of local volunteer opportunities: area churches, Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP), United Way, to name a few. Another very easy way to capture and consider volunteer opportunities is to use http://www.volunteermatch.org. Type in your zip code and area of interest, and you’re off and running. This is how I found my most recent volunteer opportunity, and it has worked like a charm.

Balanced Life Portfolio

Volunteering is one area that can make a positive difference for each of us as we continue down life’s many pathways. There are several other areas that come into play, as well: Work/Career, Health, Personal Relationships (friends, family, others), Money, Education, Travel, Fun/Recreation, Spirituality, to name a few. Each of these segments contributes to your sense of meaning and purpose, and when addressed with authenticity and intention, make the difference between a long and happy life, and something other than that. A few sentences that I cannot repeat too many times: “You are likely going to live a long life, whether you want to or not. So just how do you want to live that life?” The reality is that you have a tremendous amount of control over how things turn out… and in order to exercise that control, you need to pay attention (and act with intention) to those areas described. There is so much more to be said about this, much too much for this newsletter. Come to my next “Recharging and Rebalancing for the Next Chapter” series of seminars to understand, plan, and then be ready to act. Contact me directly, or visit my website for more information on this series.

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