'Life Reimagined' discovering your real possibilities with AARP

PRIME – August 2014 By Linda F. Fitzgerald AARP State President At AARP, "real possibilities" means that anything is possible and that no one is defined by their age. In fact, we believe that age and experience can expand – not limit – possibilities. Your world is full of possibilities, and when you envision your life reimagined with curiosity and courage, you can help craft the next phase of your life and make meaningful connections. Sometimes you know exactly what steps to take, what you want, and how to achieve your goals. Sometimes, however, the answer is not so clear. Enter AARP's Life Reimagined to help define your goals and turn your dreams into realities. Life Reimagined was developed by AARP with a team of leading doctors, coaches, entrepreneurs, and other experts. AARP's Life Reimagined program is like a road map – your own personal GPS – that helps you discover your new life possibilities and define the next phase of your life. Life Reimagined takes the mystery out of change and helps you realize your best options when it comes to careers, relationships, finances, health and more. Online resources developed by experts make difficult choices easier and show you paths to the new and exciting real possibilities of what lies ahead. Either online or in person, you get expert guidance and resources for your situation, along with support from peers pursuing similar goals for work, relationships, health and finance. When you find yourself wondering, "What's next?" Life Reimagined empowers you to plan your next move. The program features six guideposts that help you find your way to making a change: Reflect, Connect, Explore, Choose, Repack, and Act. The steps and tips will guide you through personal changes and toward your goals. Maybe you will rediscover a hobby that you enjoyed years ago. Or perhaps you can identify a new career interest and a path to get there – through volunteering opportunities, networking, and job searching, or starting your own business. Maybe there is a milestone occasion, like an anniversary or birthday, that's worthy of a trip. So why not celebrate, refresh or recharge your batteries with a vacation to a destination that you love? Recent AARP research found that 78 percent of people 45 years of age and older reported that they have taken or intend to take a Celebration Vacation in the next two years. Celebration Vacations are replacing parties, special events, jewelry, and big-ticket items for the home or new car purchases with an increasing percentage of the baby boomer generation opting to travel more with their family and friends. What about discovering the arts, cooking, learning a new language or new life skills, or making a deeper connection to your community? Whatever your next steps are, you will find the guidance you need with Life Reimagined. You can do your own self-guided "Check-Up" online at www.lifereimagined.org . Or, you can attend a 90-minute Check-Up session in person in your community. To request a Check-Up session in your community, call Lisa Masters, community outreach specialist for AARP Massachusetts, at 1-866-448-3621, or email her at lmasters@aarp.org. Also, check the AARP Massachusetts website regularly at www.aarp.org/ma for future Check-Up sessions scheduled in locations around the state. Intrigued? Learn more about the Life Reimagined process, and keep the process going when you're on the road by downloading the Life Reimagined "Life Map" app for Apple iOS products at iTunes. For more information, please contact AARP Massachusetts at 1-866-448-3621 or email at ma@aarp.org. You may also visit the AARP Massachusetts website at www.aarp.org/ma . Linda F. Fitzgerald is the volunteer state president of AARP Massachusetts, which serves more than 800,000 members age 50 and older in the Bay State. Connect with AARP Massachusetts online at www.aarp.org/ma ; www.facebook.com/AARPMA and www.twitter.com/AARPMA.