Article by Liisa Ogburn.
Fear
Sometimes old coping mechanisms don’t work in new situations. Sometimes we are forced to change. It’s not always a bad thing.
The bulk of my clients call me in crisis and full of fear. Fear that there is no solution to address the very difficult situation at-hand or, if there is one, they cannot afford it. They call me when their internal worlds are all stirred up because of something happening in their external world.
It is interesting because over the last week, since my own hospitalization, I am suddenly standing in similar shoes. I read recently in an article in the New York Times that we have 40,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, 98% of them are the same as yesterday. 80% of them are negative. As a 51-year-old mother with three kids still at home, a job we’ve come to depend upon, family, friends and the assumption I would live to the ripe old age that three of four my grandparents did, it’s probably higher than 80% negative for me right now.
To read the entire article, visit: https://www.wral.com/fear/17658552/
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About the Author:
Liisa Ogburn is at the heart of Aging Advisors NC, bringing a rich blend of personal experience and global perspective to elder care. Raised in North Carolina with deep roots in Finland, Liisa has a unique appreciation for diverse approaches to aging, shaped by her life across different cultures including Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Her path into elder care consulting was deeply personal. While juggling her role as a Duke University educator and caring for her father-in-law and three young children, Liisa started sharing her family’s journey through articles for The New York Times and later, over 300 posts for WRAL Raleigh on everything from handling loss to choosing the right elder care options.
A teacher at heart, Liisa thrives on empowering others with knowledge. She offers her expertise in presentations to various groups—from churches to professional firms—and writes extensively, reaching audiences far and wide. Her credentials include certifications in geriatric care and a special certification from Brown University to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, reinforcing her belief that calm minds make sound decisions.
