It’s easy to idealize our 20s, now that they’re firmly in our rearview mirror. It was a fun part of my life, but it also came with an undercurrent of uncertainty. I knew that a lot was going to happen, but my path was bracketed by fuzzy outlines that intimidated rather than inspired.

Many of our parents come from a generation during which they relied solely on the doctor to understand, identify and quickly know the answers to our medical concerns. The patient-doctor exchange was primarily focused on the doctor’s input, while the patient rarely questioned or added additional information.

Nancy “Safari Jane'' Tetzlaff wrote “Jaguar in the Kitchen – My Life with Jungle Larry.” It’s the story of how a girl from Cleveland’s west side ended up traveling the world in search of rare and exotic animals and became a TV star along the way. It’s got a bit of drama and lots of memories of Jungle Larry.

                  Here is our digital edition of the January/February issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond, featuring our original wintry cover by local artist Virginia K. Phillips! Beyond the joys of winter hiking, we cover a wide range of topics to enrich your journey to “Better Living After 50.”

One of the positives of 2020 was an opportunity to review aspects of life that were not serving us well. I ask that you take a few moments to consider the following for your brain care and wellness as you enter 2021:
 What aspects of your life would you like to return to post-COVID-19?
 What aspects of your life would you like to reinvent, repurpose and refold back into your life following the pandemic?

Feeling down? Dr. Krystal Culler reminds us that there are many ways to find small uplifts in our daily lives. Seek these moments out and work to be present in them when they occur. After all, happiness is our inside work but we can benefit from other boosts in our environment and the way in which we live our lives: Reach out to others, stay active, rest well, nourish to flourish, meditate, spend time outdoors, and express gratitude. These actions can spark inspiration to find happiness in your day and create moments of joy for yourself.