This article may be graphic to some of our readers; however this topic demands your understanding.

HIV infections are on the rise. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Americans over 50 who are infected with HIV has grown over 5 times (16,300 people in 1995 to 90,600 in 2003). While seniors represent about 14% of people with HIV, senior women represent 18%. The numbers of women with infections are even higher for American women of color, and come in at a staggering 47% when looking at world HIV infection rates. That means that just under half of all HIV infections are found in women worldwide.

In the United States, one of the reasons for the higher numbers of HIV infected older women was found in a study recently published by Emory University. They surveyed 514 women over the age of 50 and found that their knowledge about transmission was poor. For example, approximately 50% of the women believed that vasectomies and diaphragms would prevent the spread of HIV.

Read the complete article here.

Have you started a journal yet? No one is too old or too young to start. Gift yourself with one. Then, simply start to write. Here are some suggestions.

1. Begin writing down all the things you have left to do in your life. Forget the laundry. Name the places you want to visit, the adventures you want to experience, the people you want to meet. This is an ongoing, never ending list. Can you get your list to 100? 1000? More?
2. Stop, sit down, and start to day dream. Remember doing that in 5th grade? You won't get in trouble this time! Give yourself permission to wander around in your mind. Do this at least once per week. What are you finding? Where is it that you go when you just let go? You will learn much.
3. Do you have a vision for your life? It is said that what we focus on expands. If there were no limitations to anything...what would your life be like? What do you see, feel, smell? Who is around you? What are you feeling? Where are you? What are you doing? Write these things down. Make it real, focus on it, and just watch what happens.

One of our members Bobbi Carducci, has been published! She has an essay in the book A Cup of Comfort for Sisters: Stories that Celebrate the Special Bonds of Sisterhood (Cup of Comfort), entitled titled "Changing Currents".

You'll find other wonderful books to choose from in the WiserShop Book Store.

Eziba I love the idea of this store. All the items are handcrafted from around the globe. Their program "Gifts that Give Back" directly benefits the artisans as well as partnered organizations including Women to Women International, Heifer International and the World Wildlife Fund.. Great idea and beautiful gifts!

OlderWiserWomen Merchandise There are lots of items to choose from and you are invited to wander around the store. In the winter, the long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts are great for layering. I have to tell you though, the feedback on the tote bags has been great...women love them.

Ready for more memory exercises?

1. Stress and anger have a negative impact on your memory (not to mention other bodily functions). It is important that you take the time to learn some relaxation techniques. Your library is full of books and tapes on the subject.
2. Word puzzles are good for you as well. Here is one taken from Dr. Small's book. Start with the word SELL. Change one letter at a time until you have the word FAIR, with each change spelling a proper word. (SELL/..../..../..../FAIR)
3. To exercise your right brain, try solving mazes.
4. You can use memory aids such as those suggested at Mind Tools.
5. Attempt to move through some part of your day with your eyes closed. Use your other senses - hearing, touch, smell, sense of position to navigate.

Once again, another year is upon us. Here are 3 simple steps to get you started on the path to improving your financial life in 2005.

1. Clear out any clutter that may be in your physical space. Cluttered spaces rob us of focus. They take attention from the things we need to do. From an energetic perspective clutter creates stagnation, weighs us down and prevents new energy from flowing to us. Clear it out and make room for new things to enter your life!
2. Get organized! Spend time and sort through all important papers (including financial papers). Remove and shred documents no longer needed. Move documents you need to keep for taxes (or other reasons) to long term storage.
3. Design and/or redesign your personal filing system. Going through the letters of the alphabet, create folders for all documents needing to be stored. Your filing system should be straight forward and simple to use. Set it up so that no duplicate filings are likely to occur. Make a commitment to keep up with your papers (filing them) as they come in. Over time your financial life will become easier to manage and will leave you feeling in control.

Read the complete article here.

What percentage of money flowing into your life have you allocated to your favorite causes? It does not matter the amount...only you can decide what is healthy for you at this point in your life. What matters is that we give, that we circulate that energy around and around. Universal laws dictate that energy will come back to us in some way. Make it good energy.

While not a strictly woman focused organization, Heifer International focuses on people, families and the environment. I first became aware of this organization two years ago. To my knowledge they are the only organization taking this approach to world hunger. I wonder what would happen if every person participated in such a program. I'm sure the results would be nothing short of amazing.

Their mission is to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Visit their website to learn more. I encourage you to get involved...it's a wonderful feeling to know that you have made a difference. Isn't that what we all want?

December tends to be a month of Celebration, something OlderWiserWomen whole heartedly supports. We believe people need to Celebrate each and every day! However, the way in which some of us Celebrate may involve alcohol or drugs, and that means there are some women who will drive under the influence.

In the spirit of the WiserVillage, please be a friend who makes a difference. Do not let her drink and drive.

The entire Village will thank you.