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Books & Literature Lifestyle Living Religion U.S

Sixty Is a Good Start: Allison McCune Davis Inspires Women to Embrace Their Next Chapter

Turning sixty is a milestone that often comes with a mixed bag of emotions. For many women, it’s a time of big changes: the kids have left home, retirement is on the horizon, and life feels, well, different. It can leave them asking, What now? For some, it’s a feeling of restlessness, a quiet uncertainty about what the next chapter will bring. Add to that societal expectations that aging means slowing down, and it’s easy to see why many women struggle to redefine their purpose.

But Allison McCune Davis has a bold message: sixty is just the beginning. In her book, Sixty Is a Good Start: A Powerful Body, a Purposeful Life, and a Plan to Make it Happen, Davis offers a fresh perspective on aging, brimming with possibilities. “Sixty isn’t the end of the road—it’s a new beginning,” she explains. Davis knows this stage of life comes with unique challenges, but she also believes it’s the perfect moment to embrace new adventures and redefine what’s possible.

Through her innovative Self-Perpetuating Circle of Purpose—BodyWork, BrainWork, and WorldWork—Davis has created a holistic approach to thriving at any age. This is a framework she designed to help reshape life for women in their sixties and beyond.

#1 – BodyWork is essential to optimizing physical health. One of the cornerstones of Davis’s approach is BodyWork, which focuses on boosting physical health and energy. “Good health is essential to living a vibrant life,” she says. A certified Traditional Naturopath, Davis offers simple, practical tips to enhance strength and vitality at any starting point. From nutrient-rich meals to easy fitness routines, her advice is all about small, consistent actions that lead to big results. “Don’t feel bad if you think you haven’t done enough for your health,” she reassures. “What matters is starting now and taking steps that support your body every day.”

#2 – BrainWork is the key to living a long life. Davis knows that wellness isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. BrainWork is all about nurturing the mind to foster clarity, creativity, and connection. She encourages women to prioritize activities like reading, writing, and prayer while seeking out creative outlets that bring joy and inspiration. “The stories we tell ourselves matter,” she explains. By choosing uplifting books, engaging in meaningful conversations, and focusing on positive experiences, women can cultivate a mindset that supports resilience and optimism at any age.

#3 – WorldWork starts with redefining purpose and prioritizing relationships. Perhaps the most transformative element of Davis’s philosophy is WorldWork, which blends purpose and relationships to create a fulfilling life. For Davis, purpose isn’t something that ends with retirement; it’s something that evolves and deepens. Whether it’s mentoring grandchildren, volunteering, or starting a new project, she believes that, “Discovering what lights you up is the key to thriving. The world needs you because only you can do what only you can do.”

Equally important is the role of relationships. Davis emphasizes prioritizing family, building supportive social circles, and finding connection in faith-based or community settings. Research shows that strong relationships are a cornerstone of longevity, and Davis’s advice brings this to life in practical, heartfelt ways.

At the heart of Davis’s book is the Sixty-Day Dare, a challenge designed to help women step out of their comfort zones and take meaningful action. Whether it’s trying a new hobby, committing to a fitness plan, or reaching out to loved ones, the dare inspires women to set and achieve goals that bring more purpose and vitality to their lives. “This isn’t about perfection,” Davis says. “It’s about progress and embracing the adventure of the next phase of life.”

Allison McCune Davis is a writer, speaker, and advocate for women embracing their sixties and beyond with energy and confidence. Her book, Sixty Is a Good Start, is more than a guide—it’s a call to action. Through inspiring stories, practical tips, and her holistic framework of BodyWork, BrainWork, and WorldWork, Davis offers women the tools they need to make their sixties their best chapter yet.

Available on Amazon, Sixty Is a Good Start is already making waves as a must-read for women eager to transform this stage of life into something truly extraordinary. And for those who want a daily dose of encouragement, Davis shares more tips and inspiration on her Instagram, connecting with women who are ready to embrace purpose, health, and joy at any stage.

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Family & Parenting Lifestyle Living Religion U.S

Making End-of-Life Decisions for Pets: Insights from Animal Communicator, Liz Murdoch

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Navigating the decision to euthanize a beloved pet is one of the most heart-wrenching choices pet owners face, as they balance the pet’s quality of life with their own emotional well-being. While veterinarians offer guidance and friends may provide opinions, the ultimate decision rests with the pet’s caretakers, often leaving them wondering, “Is it really time?”

Liz Murdoch, an Intuitive Animal Communicator and host of the podcast Talking with the Dogs!, deeply understands this struggle as she has shared in a recent episode, “Navigating Pet’s End of Life.” Drawing from her own experiences and consultations, Liz helps clients navigate end-of-life decisions for their pets. In a conversation with Dr. Judy Morgan of Naturally Healthy Pets, Dr. Morgan highlights the value of animal communicators like Liz in providing insights that can guide families through euthanasia decisions. Liz explains, “I help people reach their own understanding of what’s right for their situation by sharing the pet’s perspective, which can lead to clarity when faced with difficult decisions.”

With nearly thirty years of experience, Liz began her journey working with dogs in animal-assisted therapy. She grew her abilities evaluating rescue dogs for adoption and she wanted to help other people with their pets so she trained in animal communication. She has some suggested steps that can be helpful in making end-of-life decisions for pets.

1. Consider options for pet euthanasia. Contemplating euthanasia for a pet is an incredibly stressful decision, but there are often options for timing. Liz suggests asking veterinarians about alternative appointment times or other providers if scheduling is tight. “It’s important to keep a pet comfortable while exploring options for the family to say goodbye. Integrating both the pet’s and the family’s needs can bring some relief during this difficult time.”

2. Explore provider and location alternatives. Saying goodbye does not always have to happen at the vet’s office. Liz advises pet owners may want to consider home euthanasia, which can be a more comforting option for both the pet and the family. Liz shares, “Home euthanasia may seem expensive, but often the cost is not much more and eases the stress of transporting weakened pets to vet offices while allowing everyone to be in a familiar environment.” She encourages owners to explore what best suits the pet’s mobility and comfort.

3. Adapt plans as needed. As the moment approaches, family members can be involved as appropriate, with plans remaining flexible. Liz emphasizes the importance of gathering keepsakes, like a lock of fur or a paw print, and deciding on burial or cremation details in advance. She also reminds owners to focus on their pet’s needs and preferences, “What’s often keeping them alive is their bond with you, so give space for their perspective as you make decisions.”

Liz Murdoch is a highly sensitive and intuitive Animal Communicator, dedicated to transforming relationships between pets and their people. Her skills are deeply rooted in empathy, active listening, and multi-sensory perception. Her ability to connect with animals was enhanced by a near-death experience. This heightened her intuitive abilities, enabling her to understand animals’ emotions and physical condition by accessing a unique level of detail regarding what is really going on in the mind and the body of a cat or a dog.

Through Instagram and her website, Talking With the Dogs!, Liz offers pet families the opportunity to schedule sessions where she taps into what their pets are experiencing. Her goal is supporting the human-animal bond and providing clarity for owners facing difficult care decisions. She shares, “I love helping people understand what pets want at end-of-life. Receiving a pet’s perspective alleviates uncertainty, provides comfort and ultimately, eases any guilt that they didn’t do more.”

Liz’s work does not involve diagnosing illnesses but focuses on what animals share with her, including offering valuable insights as families navigate the emotional journey of end-of-life care for their pets.

Note:  For medical emergencies, always seek medical advice immediately. 

Categories
Books & Literature Family & Parenting Lifestyle Religion U.S

Author Marsha Gray Hill Shares How to Turn Grief into Guidance in a Post-Pandemic World

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No one has escaped the events of the last four years unscarred when the world felt like it was upside down. Marsha Gray Hill is no exception when she, like so many people around the world, lost a parent in the midst of the global pandemic. As she tried to process her grief, she directed her emotions into writing a book, Grief and Grit(s), designed to help others who not only suffered loss during the pandemic, but also wants them to know they are not alone.

“It was so important for me to write this book about my mama, Adaline Gray, that I lost during the pandemic. She wasn’t just a number but an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life,” Marsha shares. “Losing a mom at any age is naturally difficult, but it was very traumatizing for me since she wasn’t allowed to die with dignity which everyone deserves. If we don’t talk about what happened to my mama and so many others, we’re going to miss out on everything we can learn from it and that’s why I wrote this book.”

In Grief and Grit(s), Marsha writes about the challenges she experienced when she unexpectedly found herself in the position of being a caregiver for her mother when she developed dementia and the assisted living apartment that was her residence was no longer an option. Marsha eventually had to hire someone to care for her mom when she could not longer do it on her own and then when the pandemic hit, it made it worse, “Our parents take care of us growing up and it never occurred to me that I’d end up taking care of my mama when she developed dementia and became like a child,” she says. “It was a challenge to find home care workers who were not only caring and trustworthy, but also compassionate for someone with dementia.”

When Marsha Gray Hill was recently interviewed on Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend, she shared these three guidelines for anyone who finds themselves in a similar care giving role like she did.

1. It is important to get support and not go it alone. It’s so easy to get burned out so don’t be afraid to reach out to others, like family or friends, that may be able to help.

2. Make sure to research home care providers and options. When it’s not possible to care for a parent directly, it’s important to research the best facilities or home care providers that are the best fit. And when working with an agency, be mindful that sometimes they’ll say they’re sending their best person when they may just be sending whoever is available.

3. Install a camera to remotely monitor that proper care is being provided. “One of the best things I did was install a camera so that I could remotely check in on my mom and see if she was getting proper care. We do this with children and nanny cams, to protect them so it’s natural to do this for the elderly who can’t speak for themselves,” Marsha shared. She also added that it’s important to let care givers know about the camera and she felt it helped them be more accountable.

Shocked by society’s neglect of the elderly, particularly evident during the pandemic, Marsha is on a mission to elevate awareness and dignity for seniors and through her book, Grief and Grit(s), she offers invaluable insights to help others navigate the complexities of grief and caregiving. She connects with readers on Instagram to share her ongoing journey. Her book is distributed by Simon & Schuster and available through her website at MarshaGrayHill.com, online outlets and at book stores across the country.