John Kuzava’s Post

I’ve been seeing so many threads on the threat of declining births globally and how it supports the emerging dominance of the East. Many European countries have rolled out parent and child support systems, tax incentives and more. Many also believe that women today have lost their maternal purpose in the world due to career ambitions and overall feminism. What I observe is something else: - we need more intentional, smart, good, spiritual (not just religious) people to have children. The more visionary couples embrace a leadership presence in parenting and have babies, the greater the chance of broader healing, health, and growth. - women and men don’t talk about it early enough. If you want children and you’re in your mid 30s talk about it somewhere between date 2-5. No hard feelings if the other person doesn’t want it, just not the right fit for this lifetime. - women especially are so afraid that having kids will make them lose a part of themselves (our self care culture destroyed the desire for family legacy). Let me say: yes, you will. And it’s good. We’re meant to mature through life, we’re meant to get out of our own way and offer life to others, we’re meant to find meaning in caring for others and making sure our values continue to live when we’re gone. - Men and women need to be more in sync and attuned with each other than ever. Couples need a vision, a desire to build an empire together. Why? Because raising kids is not possible with one income, and women tend to carry all emotional labor. We’re being called into unity, connection, and visionary family building. - social media has created a culture of instant gratification. We’d rather look at the couple on insta than work on our own. We have lost our commitment to commitment. This one is huge. In a world where a new partner is just a swipe left or right away, we need to embrace a culture of honest and healthy conflict, a commitment to seeing a vision for a shared life that nobody else can. - somehow “family” became something that boxes you in, your life ending. Our obsession with happiness over meaning makes it impossible to find liberation in commitment and struggle. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing your children become young men and women because of how you showed up for all the hard and beautiful moments. No there is no ROI on children, but pure surrender to service and care. - we’re so obsessed with living our life to the fullest that we think children will get in the way of that… when nothing has created more trust in my body about death than having children. Creating offspring with a partner you love creates acceptance and peace around dying. My values, spirit, and love will continue in them. So much more. Let’s sit with those for a while 🙏🏻 My pregnancies are hard. Otherwise, I would have two more children immediately. Nothing has made me more aware of my impact in the world than these beautiful boys. Random Tuesday tickle fights included 💜

I've been grappling with big midlife questions, especially after delving into "The New Midlife Crisis: Why (and How) It's Hitting Gen X Women" on Oprah.com. This exploration reveals the distinct challenges faced by Gen X women: ✨ Intense Pressures: The struggle to balance careers, family, and societal expectations. ✨ Financial Instability: High education has not shielded many from debt and financial worries. ✨ Career Stagnation: The evolving job market has left some feeling left behind. ✨ Health and Aging Concerns: Navigating aging and health adds to the stress. ✨ Relationship Strains: Pressure on personal and social relationships. However, the article also sparks hope and calls for action. It underlines the strength found in community and resilience. This resonates with my dream of building a community of diverse women. A community that supports each other through these challenges and paves the way for the next generation, making their transition into midlife a gentle rite of passage. Let's consider how we can lift each other, using our experiences to foster resilience and hope. How can we turn this moment of challenge into an opportunity for growth and positive change, not just for ourselves but future generations? With purpose and compassion, let's move forward together, creating a legacy of empowerment and support. #GenXStrong #MidlifeCrisis #Resilience #CommunitySupport #Empowerment #FinancialFreedom #CareerGrowth #HealthAndWellness #AgingGracefully #RelationshipGoals #LifeReimagined #HopeRises #GentleRiteOfPassage #LegacyOfEmpowermenthttps://lnkd.in/etXGWebM

Raise your hand if you are one of the 60-year-olds reading this who has one or more living 80-year-old parents… It has become the adult child in their 50’s and 60’s latest and, in some ways, most agonizing life crisis: what to do when the parents who once took care of you can no longer take care of themselves. Lillian Rubin is my guest blogger this morning and she writes on the topic of “The dilemma of taking care of elderly parents.” The demographic and cultural context in which this takes place is vastly different now than it was a century ago. Then, few women worked outside the home, so someone was available to care for an ailing parent. Today, a changed culture combined with economic need has put most women in the labor force alongside their men, which means that there's no one at home to take care of Mom or Dad when they need it. Then, life expectancy at birth was just over 48 years; today, it’s now close to 80. Then, so few lived to 65 that there is no record of life expectancy at that age. Today, if we make it to 65, we can expect to live another 20 years. And one-third of those over 65 need some help in managing their daily lives; by the time they reach 85 (the fastest-growing segment of our population today), that number jumps to well over one-half. If there's one word to describe the dominant feeling on both sides of the bridge that connects the generations at this stage of life, it's "ambivalence." “I love my parents, but..." That's a line I hear spoken repeatedly as women and men struggle with the duality of their feelings, their love for their parents; their sense of obligation; their guilt that, no matter how much they do, it never seems to be enough; their difficulty in coping with their own needs, with their jobs, their families, their fears about their future and, not least, the inability to see an end in sight. The parents’ stories are the mirror image of their children’s. “I love my children, I know they want to help, but..." The words say they appreciate their children's concern while they feel it as an infringement on their autonomy. Children grumble about how hard it is to reason with their parents, about how they resist any change even when it seems clearly necessary. Parents complain about unwelcome intrusions, about being talked to as if they were incompetent children. If this describes your situation and after reading Lillian’s rant, you would like someone to talk to about the issues with mom and dad, I am available via a call or text @ 904.553.9539 or email me @ [email protected] All of the senior care resources I have at my fingertips are yours, simply for the asking, and if I can help in any way, you can count on me… #elderlyparents #seniorcare #seniorcareadvocate #seniorlivingcommunity #seniorliving #homecare

My latest article "We Need to Talk - Planning to Help our Older Parents" recently published in the Enterprising Women Magazine - Summer 2024 issue is now available to read on our Savant articles page here: https://lnkd.in/dbWX8b74 #financial #women #eldercare #financialplanning

Elderly women possess a wealth of life experience and wisdom that can offer invaluable lessons. Here are some key life lessons we can learn from them: 1) The Importance of Resilience: Elderly women often demonstrate incredible resilience, having navigated various challenges throughout their lives. They teach us to persevere through difficulties and to adapt to changing circumstances with grace and strength. 2) Value of Relationships: They emphasize the significance of nurturing relationships with family and friends. Long-lasting relationships are built on love, trust, and mutual respect, and these bonds provide support and joy throughout life. 3) Embracing Simplicity: Many elderly women find joy in the simple things—nature, a good book, a heartfelt conversation. They remind us that happiness doesn’t always come from material possessions or grand achievements but from appreciating life’s small, everyday moments. 4) Patience and Perspective: With age comes a broader perspective on life. Elderly women teach us the importance of patience, showing that time can heal wounds and that challenges often seem less daunting in retrospect. 5) Living Authentically: They often encourage us to be true to ourselves, to pursue our passions, and to live authentically. Life is too short to spend it trying to meet others expectations rather than following our own path. 6) Financial Prudence: Many elderly women stress the importance of financial responsibility. They advise saving for the future, living within one’s means, and being cautious with debt. 7) Cultural and Historical Awareness: Having lived through significant historical events, they offer insights into the past, helping us understand the cultural and social contexts that have shaped our world. This awareness can foster a greater appreciation for the present and inform our decisions for the future. 8) The Power of Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and practicing forgiveness is a recurrent lesson. They show us that holding onto anger and resentment only harms us and that forgiveness can lead to personal peace and healthier relationships. 9) Contribution and Legacy: Many elderly women find meaning in contributing to their communities and leaving a positive legacy. They encourage us to think beyond ourselves and consider how our actions impact others and future generations. By listening to and learning from the experiences and wisdom of elderly women, we can gain valuable insights that enrich our own lives and help us navigate our personal journeys with greater understanding and compassion. #Wisdom #LifeLessons #ElderlyWisdom #Resilience #Relationships #Simplicity #Patience #Authenticity #HealthAndWellbeing #FinancialPrudence #HistoricalAwareness #Forgiveness #Legacy #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #Women

With #MothersDay approaching soon, it is important to recognize that the #MentalLoad of being a mother is immense. She wants to do it all as the society tells her she can. #Shero and #SuperWoman are just a few names we call her by, in awe of her prowess to juggle it all, family, work, friends and a million things in between. But can she have it all or is it a story we tell her to maintain the status quo and not ruffle any feathers - Except hers of course, when she internalizes it as a “personal failure” This Mother’s Day let’s not only acknowledge her #InvisibleLabour but also how the impossible standards of perfection impact her. Let her know that you see that the burdens at home are too unequal and the conflict she experiences over family and career is not fair. The mere fact that she has to choose is not fair. Instead of recognition and respite for one day, give her something she needs every day. Talk to her, ask her, how can you make the division of responsibilities more equitable through out the year. And for the society, let’s normalize children walking into zoom calls, fathers stepping out of meetings to do emergency school runs, parents talking about their struggles without fear of being stigmatized as “not-committed enough” and most importantly stop judging the mom who stays at home as “lazy”, the one that leaves the home as “selfish” and the one that tries to keep a balance as “incompetent”. Damned if you do, doomed if you don’t This Mother’s Day let’s make an effort to free women from these #DoubleBinds we subject them to on a daily basis. It will take concerted effort from an entire society to truly ease the burdens of a mother. Let’s self-reflect in our households and take a small step in that direction. #MothersDay #InvisibleLabour #MotherhoodPenalty #FixedGenderRoles #EquityInHousehold #DEI

There are certain stages in your life where you reassess what matters and what doesn't. Older women - lets say 55+ and beyond - are a force to be reckoned with. Mess with us at your peril. Because many of us are reassessing. To an extent we are all victims of other people's expectations and none so powerful as those closest to us and especially when we are younger. I literally cringe when I think of 'people pleasing' days. There comes a time when your external circumstances, such as career and family, don't play so much of a part in your life. Children have left home, partner may have retired and out doing their own thing. You may be living the single life and rattling around in a house which you know is too big. Or perhaps you have outgrown it. Time to reassess. Where to start? You may know what you don't want but have yet to get clear about what you do want. I work with mid-life and older women who all have one thing in common. They aspire to live a life that feels worthwhile and to be seen for who they truly are. With the passage of time our identity does change and with it the life journey we need to take. What's sometimes missing is clarity and a sense of direction to live this next important stage in your life. This can be very frustrating! I can help. Contact me for a chat if this has sparked your interest and you feel as though you are ready to reassess. #clarity #lifechanges #identity #results #womeninbusiness #lifepurpose #coaching #aspiration

As you get older, do find it more difficult to make friends? Recently, I was in a group of about twenty women all in their sixties through eighties. One of the most animated discussions we had was about how difficult it is to make new friends at this age. I thought about the discussion later and wondered if this is true for other older women. Read now for more insight! https://lnkd.in/gdnwwDUv

How is everyone's February going so far? Have you ticked off those New Year's resolutions? Did you even make any? I'm not a fan, they don't do much for me I have to say. After last year's madness, I want to have a more mindful year where I can enjoy the present instead of hurtling from one thing to another! I am a Gemini, I love nothing more than having 20 projects in the go at the same time! Absolutely love it, but the reality is, even passion projects take energy and deplete energy. Add to the the pressures of being self employed and badass owner of my own business. That means networking, marketing, posting, being visible and much more - those bills need to be paid don't they? I've worked with incredible women in leadership who've shared similar stories, their drive and ambition very palpable. They've shared their utter frustration with being a parent, some for the first time which in itself is a full time job. Childcare, guilt, emergency response if the childminder is not available and the added stress of bosses that aren't supportive and just don't get it. Add to that the extra layer if their child has special needs. I've heard experiences of relationships breaking down because their partner is struggling with their desire to return to work, or to go for promotions, something 'most' men don't have to think twice about. And I've heard of the grief and disappointment these experiences have brought to my clients. It is understandable that so many people may be struggling with so much and yet despite knowing help is available they don't reach out. Maybe they don't know that I can help at very deep levels using decades of experience and academic research. Or that I am particularly keen to support fellow members of the LGBTQ community because there is very little support available from experienced professionals that truly understand the journey we've experienced. That when they leave our work, they will have tools to help them navigate the majority of issues life may throw at them. And importantly, that they can come back for a top-up any time they need without feelings of shame. We are all in the process of growth and development - there is no shame in investing in yourself to be the best you can be. ------------- My name is Bhavna and I am the Mindset Ninja - helping you deal with anything that is stopping you from thriving in life. I'm an accredited Psychotherapist and use proven techniques in my Therapeutic Coaching sessions to help you achieve goals fast. As a Clinical Supervisor I support you in being the very best Therapist, Coach and Counsellor for your clients. Check out my profile for more about my work and visit my website to see how I can help your business to thrive.

Inspired by a recent speech given near my hometown: I never thought I’d be living the life that I do. Never ever EVER did I see myself as a CEO and single mom. I never anticipated this reality (nor the co-existence of joy and struggle in both roles… but that’s a topic for another time). And, I’m grateful for both parts of myself and sides of my life. I’m not THAT old, and even so, I was handed a cultural map of what was expected of me, and what my most probable route to “success” would be. And, against every small scream inside from my intuition, as many of us do, I followed the map. Until I just couldn’t anymore. In retrospect, starting my first company and contributing to my family’s income while I was married surely gave me confidence to be a sole provider. And, it was becoming a mom that first unlocked my priorities, and made me unable to ignore that internal voice from God that I’d shoved down for so long. Becoming a mom gave me the resolve to break the cycle. If I hadn’t been a mom, fighting like hell for my son’s life, I would have never had the first spark of inspiration for Afloat. If I hadn’t been a mom, going through a divorce, I would have never followed through on that spark. Do I champion the need for, and call out the lack of support of, women to recognize and develop their independence? Most definitely. All day, baby. Do I also appreciate parenthood and motherhood and the immense value of families? You bet. Do I see independent women who are mothers crushing it every day? You know it. We can prioritize family values and be a single parent, and a working one. We can prioritize work, while being the safety, security, and role model that our family needs. We all need to stand behind paths that are different and diverse… and diverse doesn’t mean dichotomous. I believe we ALL need to stand behind partnerships having equality and respect. Because partners – whatever that looks like—are essential for us to function well. And can we all just be pro-good people? Because good people are the partners who give their everything to their families and their work and to everyone. Every damn day. These little things are the big things, and, with the right support and encouragement, we can do it all, together. Life is not always — in fact it rarely is, I’ve learned— black and white. I’m so grateful to have good humans in my life, and in our company, who put their heart into celebrating and supporting everything, every one, every day, and in all ways. When given the right support, we ALL have so much to give and to celebrate.