Warning Your Choice Soapbox or Obituary
Warning! Today I’m getting up on my soapbox. I’m going to share how you can stay out of the obituaries.
Reality check on soapbox
Today started out just like any other day here in the office. My husband, while having coffee read the obituaries to me. I know seems kind of odd to read about people dying every day, doesn’t it? But, you know when you get to be our age, over 50 that is, sickness, disease and yes, death become part of our reality; but, does it have to?
When working from home it’s not always easy to stay in touch with those friends who have left the area. If you don’t see them at the local Wal Mart, work with them or see them at church they tend to slip your mind until you read their name in the obituary in the local newspaper.
Since I’ve been working at home for over nine years many of those acquaintances from high school and my old jobs have come and gone. Seems there’s never enough time to keep up with what’s going on in their lives let alone share what’s going on in mine. Having an important message to share with them is always on my mind. Yet, I care about them and what’s going on in their life more than just to connect for business reasons.
It’s not until we are jerked back to reality like I was this morning as we read the obituary in the paper that we start thinking about reconnecting with those friends and I get on my soapbox. You’d think that it would be a simple task, being a connector and all. Yet, who knows where these friends move off to, or where they are working now. Do you know where all of your friends work play and live?
Technology makes reconnecting easier
One way to stay connected is through social media. Facebook has been a source of reconnecting with classmates that have moved out of state. It’s always a surprise to see who is in my Inbox sending a friend request. You can also get on your soapbox and share important messages with ease.
Using social media to market my online business is second to use it to reconnect with long lost friends and relatives. It also allows me to get on my soapbox and share the information that can be life-saving with so many friends.
The beauty of technology today is that relationships can be rekindled with the click of the mouse. Even the least savvy person can catch up with ease. The best way to reconnect is to pick up the phone. But, what if you don’t have their phone number?
Email and direct messages over the internet are so cold, so impersonal. But, when I hear your voice on the phone, now that’s what I’m talking about. I can hear your pain, your happiness, and excitement. That’s when the real connection is made; voice to voice and heart to heart. I’m a real high touch, high feel kind of person. How about you?
Your choice – soapbox or obituary
So, now it’s your choice. You can climb up on the soapbox with me and share life-saving information with family, friends and your social media family. Or you may choose to do nothing as many do. Then we may find your name written in the daily obituary like those I did today.
A scary statement isn’t it? Why is it that many of us wait to make changes in our lives until we are faced with our own mortality? Why do we wait to get up on that soapbox and share our passion until it's too late?
Life is getting harder each day. Many are faced with unemployment that not only taxes their pocketbook and finances but their emotional and physical health. The information I share can help stop that dilemma.
The message I share can help someone help their dad, mom, grandma or grandpa feel better, live longer and healthier. The message does come with a warning though.
That warning is that it’s your choice to climb up on my soapbox and shout to the world or not wake up to read your name in the obituary.
Remember, it’s your choice what will it be? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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"Very well put. I've been with a health and nutrition company for over 26 years and I understand exactly what you are going through. I shiver to think what my health might be today at age 68 had I not stuck to my guns as far as practicing what I preach. Yes, I fall off the wagon regularly but my daily routine life reflects taking care of my health. That way I can keep up (somewhat) with my 7 grandchildren. You keep it up, Carla". 
"For most people the thought of venturing out there in pursuit of your dreams, in a place outside of your comfort zones is just what stops them. But I could sense your excitement not resentment in going against the competition. In planting your stake and truly making a difference in the clients experience. That's ultimately what matters, the rest just falls so easily into place. Thanks for that reminder"! 
Carla, I’ve got to say that I LOVE your focus on the joys and challenges facing women over 50. I’m definitely in that camp! I’ve been inspired by your candor, practical ideas, and refreshing determination to joyfully tackle life. The hours we’ve spent on the phone, in person, and through social media have enriched my life immeasurably. YOU are one Fiery Grandma, and I love your style! 
I have known Carla Gardiner for 6+ years. We met at a business training for bring business online. She is a business women at heart and willing to do the hard things to make the results show up. I have watched her run a business, work a job and take care of her family. She is a go getter when it comes to putting in the work to build her business to the level of being able to enjoy her grand kids.
She is the example that age is not a limit it is a tool for sharing knowledge to those she empowers to use their own skills and talents. Excuses are fuel to push her to learn and apply. I have seen her scared to death about implementing new technology and rock it out despite the learning curve.
I love watching you grow into your greatness Carla! Don’t slow down. 
"Carla, you are a model for me to follow. I love your site. And, I like what you have to say - very kind, very gracious. I have to say though that nothing in my life has ever been crystal clear". 
"I've known Carla for 5+ years and can tell you that she has lived every bit of this and more. We shared tears and laughs and hard work....you will enjoy getting to know Carla."
I am on my soapbox on social media all the time. Especially facebook has been a wonderful way for me to stay connected with family and friends. It has also given me the added blessing of connecting with new friends just about daily.
I am so thankful to reconnect with many people from my past on Facebook and meet so many new friends as well. I have been on a mission to improve my health for the last five years. I am not afraid of death but I certainly want to live while I’m alive!
Good for you Terri. Improving our health as we age seems more important now than when we were younger. I am right there with you, while I’m alive I want to live large not be sick and in chronic pain. Let’s spread the word that help is here!
I have made great friends & connections thru Facebook & I love social media.
This is how we got kungphoo.com off the ground.. a complete social media blitz! now its running really well and with the reach of social media we are connecting with people in over 1000 cities around the world!
That’s good to know Robert. You’ve done a tremendous job at exposing the benefits of your community and services at Kungphoo. I’m looking forward to incorporating Kungphoo very soon.
Even my mom, who is 85, uses facebook. That’s how she keeps track of her grandchildren!!
Thanks Tina for sharing about your mom using Facebook. I love hearing how men and women over 50 use social media.
Facebook was the impetus for our high school class to have a reunion several years ago. We called it our 40th when it was actually the 39th. Once people started to connect on Fb they couldn’t wait to get together. We now have a page for our particular class, a page for everyone graduating from our high school, and now a page for our hometown. Don’t plan to get down from my soapbox for a quite a while.
How exciting is that Meli! I’m glad you are staying in touch with your high school classmates. At least you will know before they get sick or worse. Re-kindling those relationships enrich our lives so much, much more than just a business transaction for sure.
At times I worry about how superficial our connections are through social media, but as I read your article, I realize that the ones we want to take deeper, we do. And the superficial ones are simply an invitation, or opportunity, to connect deeper, take it or leave it. Thanks, Carla, for rallying us all to our soapboxes … and to us each stretching out a hand for others to grab!
Communicating through social media websites is a good way to keep in touch. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have helped get more people involved in the public’s business than ever before. People come and go, a plain fact of human relationships. That’s sad. But that’s life.
Social media really does make it easier to share life saving info!
Since I am sitting in the hospital with my Mom as I read this, I just am nodding and agreeing with all of it. You really have to check within to see what is important and go for it. Don’t wait to do what you want or say what you need to those around.
this makes so much sense…times have changed and it is so easy to lose contact with those close to us
I am guilty of being the worst at keeping in touch with old friends! I am so grateful for Facebook that I’ve been able to reconnect with so many lost but dear friends! Great post!