I rarely if ever have soda. I use to drink Diet Pepsi all the time when I was in my 30's and 40's, but I think I had some kind of can fetish. I could not get into my car with a can in the cup holder. I have always loved ice tea, and although I grew up on sweet tea, I now drink Crystal light. I also make sun tea and drink all sorts of herbal teas. If you miss the carbanation, try putting some club soda into one of your juices or tea.

Believing in a personal relationship with a Higher Power I choose to call God is what I would wish for everyone. I still go to church because my grandma took me every Sunday and it is where I still feel close to both her and God, it is my quiet time with them both, but if I don't go I do not beat myself up. All too often organized religion can do the opposite of what is suppose to do to the human spirit. Guilt is a useless emotion. My favorite place of worship is the beach.

I have a difficult time drinking 8 to 10 a day dispite my continued "mental" committment to do so. I will start out on the right path carring around water bottles, drinking green tea, ( I do not buy bottled water just keep filling up the same bottle) I do find it easier to get those eight to ten in when the weather gets warmer, then my body really desires it. Wish I could figure out how to keep this habit once I start it.

I am 60 and unemployed recently. Being that I am unemployed I can go to Career Centers in my state and get the help I need to retrain and to find employment. These are in every state as far as I know. No one is going to come forward and tell you all the help that is out there, it sort of requires some homework on your part and you do have to file out lots of forms and jump through hoops, is it worth it, well, I think so. I am getting funding for Micro Soft Office Programs and PC Network Professional. I am taking the risks and retraining. Attitude is an important factor and I have no money, property or funds. I am living on a very low amount of unemployment, but I am willing to do what it takes to finish these classes and begin a new career that I feel will even be better than the one I left. If you lost your job because of illness you should check out what is available for retraining for yourself. Platitudes are what we use to fake it till we make it. I can relate that it is difficult when someone else is giving you platitudes instead of answers, but in a way, in order to get the answers you may have to adopt a few platitudes.

You are so right. I am will be 60 on Wednesday and I am an unemployed photographer and photo lab manager. It is time for a change and I am attending school for Micro Soft Programs. Look ahead not behind, look forward to go forward. Liked what you had to say.