Thank you! (from me & my mom 💞)

{NAME} — I have 2 words: THANK YOU. A couple of days ago, I reached out for some personal advice… And let’s just say, your replies REALLY helped me out in the “perspective department.” You see, my mom recently confessed to me how sometimes she feels invisible to the world… And quite frankly, it devastated me. Because as someone who believes everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued… it was crushing to think my mom felt “less than.” I wanted to understand her situation better. So, I decided to reach out to the BHMD family with a pretty personal question: “Have YOU ever felt invisible?” Well, my inbox has been filled with vulnerable, open, and honest replies ever since… And they’ve truly helped me understand what my mother is going through. So again, thank you. In fact, my inbox was full of SUCH wisdom — I’d be doing a disservice not to share them with you. So, I’ll let Marsha take it away:  I just wanted to say that I can relate to what your mother said. I’m 77 and still very active, still working at the same job I’ve been at for years. But when you get older, people seem to treat you as an afterthought sometimes. I’m sure it’s not intentional but it happens. I tell myself every day that I am beautiful, that I am important and I love myself and others love me. This seems to help because I believe it. - Marsha Man, I love this mindset! Reminding yourself that you are valuable — even on the days you might not feel “seen” — is so important… And having a mantra like Marsha is a great way to do just that. Of course, I know that’s easier said than done… Which is why I also want you to hear from Lara, who shared her personal approach:  “It IS easy for us “oldsters” to feel overlooked. It’s ironic! We have treasures: talents, skills, and memories that will be forgotten if we don’t share them and record them. We also have our individuality, and we need to actively make it harder for us to be forgotten. I wake up every day determined to: 1) Scatter smiles everywhere I go, even at the DMV or the phlebotomist’s. 2) Build someone up, especially a stranger. 3) Write down a bit of personal history. 4) Do a small kindness to a neighbor or a friend. - Lara What a proactive approach! By making small but meaningful gestures every day, she's ensuring that her presence is felt and her actions are remembered… No matter how big or small. Take Dana’s experience for instance:  "I’ve definitely felt invisible and sometimes I like it that way, but when I don’t I find ways to make myself visible. I step out of my comfort zone and do something for someone else. During the bread shortage of Covid, I baked bread and shared it with neighbors. Sometimes I bake a cake, slice it up, and deliver “dessert for tonight” to a couple neighbors. Last week I was heading out for vacation, so I picked all the fresh veggies in my garden and delivered them to someone. I discover that when I quit hiding in the shadows I become visible and people begin to reach out to me with their gifts and talents.” - Dana What a great reminder: When we create connections with others, it can help US feel seen and valued. Sometimes that might mean going out of your comfort zone… or taking a leap of faith. But the risk is well worth the reward, if you ask me! Karen’s message is a perfect example:  “There are many times when an older person starts to feel invisible and it’s something that I think women especially begin to feel after a certain age. That is why for my 71st birthday this year I gave myself a birthday party with six of my dearest friends that I’ve known for over 40 years. My ”brunch birthday party” lasted from 9 AM to 4 PM and it was a joy. We laughed, we cried, we vented, and we all realized that we all feel the same way. Somehow just sharing our feelings, validated them for us.” - Karen It sounds like your “brunch birthday party” was a hit, Karen… And I really love how you all opened up about your individual personal experiences. Because not only does it help us feel not so alone in our feelings — but also helps others feel the same. In fact, Sandra had a similar experience opening up to a friend about her fear of becoming invisible:  “I honestly just had this conversation with a good friend of mine yesterday. I am 66 and she is 73. Those were my actual words, I have become invisible. We laughed about it, but still feel it is true. I have no words of wisdom, but try to have a sense of humor about it. There is a commercial for a new TV series, where Kathy Bates says “When a woman reaches a certain age she becomes invisible. The good thing is then they don’t see you coming!!” - Sandra 🤣🤣🤣 HA - I love it!! And Sandra’s note has a great overall message: Even when we feel invisible, laughter and connection with those we love can help us see the lighter side of things… Which is something Karen C. has also embraced:  "I am 63 and have been told people are shocked by that. But still, when I walk by I am a bit invisible now. I try to use that for fun and say, “well, if people aren’t looking much anyway I can wear fun hats and sunglasses and earrings and no one will blink.”(They probably think I am a crazy old lady!) - Karen C. Genius!! Using feelings of “invisibility” to take back your personal freedom to dress as you please is such a power move. (Kinda like dancing when no one's watching, ya know?) Now, I received thousands of other incredible messages — but if I were to try and share them all, we’d be here for an eternity! So I hope today’s email helped anyone who has ever been in my mom’s shoes… And I can’t wait to share these incredible messages with her. Because maybe, just maybe… Invisibility is a kind of superpower, {NAME}. It can motivate you to step outside your comfort zone… Allow you to try NEW things without feeling held back by what others think… Create opportunities for connection… And best of all? Encourage you to put yourself out there — because you deserve to shine, no matter what. With much gratitude, Dr. John Layke       This email was sent to {EMAIL} by jlayke@beverlyhills-md.com [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [VIP Discounts]( | [Join Text Club]( | [Subscribe](  8391 Beverly Blvd., #471, Los Angeles, CA 90048   [Report Spam](  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Â