Baby Boomer Women Making a Difference

Today we are featuring another member of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, as interviewed by Dotsie Bregel. Dorothea Hover-Kramer,Ed.D., RN, CNS, D.CEP enjoys educating her baby boomer generation of women about engaging your body’s energy resources for optimal aging, creativity and health. She’s and author and has been a psychotherapist in private practice for over 30 years and combines her career as a psychologist with a background as a clinical nurse specialist. She co-founded the International Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP), served as past president and was instrumental in designing and implementing its certification program. She is now a designated diplomate in comprehensive energy psychology (D.CEP).

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself?

 About 15 years ago I decided I had lots of information to share about the energy therapy methods I had been studying and started writing books for other practitioners. You might say it was a midlife change from being an established nurse and counselor in private practice. I just completed my seventh published book so I guess I could call myself an author. I reinvented myself as many of us baby boomers do because we have so much zest and such varied interests.

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc.

My parents passed on some time ago as I was the fifth child born when my father was fifty. Most of my siblings are still alive and well into their later lives so I’m learning what works for them and what does not. (playing solitaire for 3-5 hours a day, as my sister does,  will definitely not work for me!)

I have been married three times. The third time is the charm as the saying goes; he’s been in my life for 28 years. My four children are from my first marriage that ended in divorce after twelve years. I’m proud to have a total of seven grandchildren, no boomerangs (yet).

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

Playing with the grandchildren, taking them to a playground, catching ocean waves.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

I’m adventuresome, willing to explore new things and ideas, eat sushi and sashimi, love to travel and am committed to full-energy living while sailing through the 60s, and beyond.

What inspires you?

Hearing about how women are reinventing themselves even when it means going beyond their trauma and losses. I watched a program about the two widows form 9/11 who went to Afgahnistan to meet with other widows. What a great way to move beyond their grief and to give to others!

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife?

I know more about myself, I can stay much more focused on a big goal rather than getting lost in details, I can enjoy being by myself or with others, I enjoy a good meal all by myself or with friends, I love to walk outdoors.

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Yes, I’m a pretty good pianist and play regularly with a violinist and cellist. Music is an unending hobby because there is so much of it in every century to explore.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite.

One of my favorite movies is “Never Cry Wolf” about a young man  who tries to figure out how wolves live in the arctic. He learns that wolves are much more consistent and trustworthy than humans. No wolf pup is ever abandoned or mistreated.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go?

My husband does not like to travel so I gather up a boomer friend as a travel companion. One friend who is ten  years younger went with me to Bali, Singapore, Switzerland, and England over the past decade.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate.

Absolutely! When I’m tired I rest as soon as I can because I’ve learned to trust my body. I eat proteins and fresh fruits and veggies—no processed foods. I get 6-8 hrs. of sleep a night and try to do some form of exercise every day.

What do you stress about?

I worry about the future of the human race. Things are not getting any better. Resources like fresh water are getting more and more scarce, and the rich are running the show at the expense of the other 99% of the world population. It’s not a pretty picture and we as conscious women need to get real about where we are going and how we can be part of the solutions.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go?

I’ve always appreciated the way I look so I get facials and massages once or twice a month. I use good face creams and try to shed the extra 5-10 pounds I always seem to have with varying successes.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how?

As mentioned above, YES.

Do you plan to retire?

Never! I plan to re-fire myself as often as possible.

Are you doing anything to GO Green?

I recycle as much as possible and use only simple green as a household cleaner.

Do you engage in any faith based practices?

I’m not big on organized religion but I meditate often and read inspirational books like Marrianne Williamson’s.

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife?

My ex-husband’s death from cancer a few years ago woke me up to the short lifespans some of us may have. I never put off anything anymore.  When I thought we need a will and advanced medical directive, we got it done.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them?

There are lots of places I still wish to travel to like Italy and Greece, maybe South America. I want to perform more music, write more books, paint pictures of the beauty around me, and see my grandchildren grow up.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world?

I see clients on a sliding fee basis because I understand financial difficulties. I contribute by being on several boards in my community and participate in a free clinic, and work to preserve forest and farmlands. Everywhere I look there are unmet needs so I need to set time limits on some of these endeavors.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?

Many people have inspired my thinking. Maya Angelou as a woman poet and writer now in her seventies who has overcome incredible suffering is one of my muses.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose.

My life goal is to reflect the beauty of Creation in all that I do. To laugh, live, eat and sleep with as much joy as possible, and to transform pain as much as possible.