Instead I want to share ideas--and hear yours--on adaptations to the challenges of getting older. What helps us? What practical things is it good to know and try? What spiritual or community-based things should we look at? How does it feel at different stages? What can we expect? How can we prepare? How can we be more intentional about something that is going to happen no matter what we do? How can we make it easier, more meaningful? How can we cope physically, financially, emotionally? How can we be of aid to those around us facing similar situations?
Who might be interested in this blog? Hopefully, anyone recognizing their own aging needs. Anyone looking in the mirror and facing those first wrinkles around the eyes, anyone feeling tighter and stiffer after their regular workout or just after getting up in the morning, people dealing with older relatives whom they would like to understand better, maybe even some younger folk who want to hear what it's like on the road ahead.
Welcome to my blog.
Dear Joan,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your initiative!
This is my approach in coping with aging: I don't waste energy and resources on things that are difficult to deal with (creaking hinges, wrinkles, saggy skin). The chemistry of my body is my physician's concern. Escapism? Denial? Perhaps.
I spend my energy on my spirit and my mind. I study all the time because I enjoy it. I devote more time to my husband, children, grandchildren, friends. Whatever makes me feel happy. I hardly take up commitments that make me tense or upset. I devote 5-10 minutes every morning to watching the view of the valley. It helps me start the day relaxed. I don't wear a watch. And I look for reasons to have a good laugh at least once a day.
Believe me: my spirit is now younger than it was at 20. I am a warmer and more welcoming person than I was before. As to my mind, I may forget a chore here and there but I am better equipped to think in depth.
All in all, I could be worse off. But I try not to let aging interfere with my life. I don't know what lies ahead but I sincerely hope that I can keep up with this approach.
Congratulations once again! I'll keep visiting you here.
Lancy
If you read your URL quickly, it might say "gettin golder by the minute"! I'm surprised you didn't post a Colorado photo of yourself.
ReplyDeleteOops. I sounded boastful and I apologize. I'll try to be more explicit.
ReplyDeleteFor several years, all the ills of the world seemed to fall on me and my surroundings: my mother, my husband, my friends, myself. "Getting older" was the axis of my world. At some point I decided to break the loop by investing in my mind and my spirit. Now, three years later, I feel much better with myself.
No, I'm not gettin' golder by the minute. Joan asked how we cope with getting older and that's what I did.
Actually, what I'm trying to say is that even if the process of aging is irreversible, there are things we can decide to do to feel better under the circumstances.
I didn't post a photo of myself in Colorado (a) because I'm not in Colorado and (b) nothing to brag about in my looks.
Have a beautiful day!
Lancy
Lancy,
ReplyDeleteI think your advice is perfect, when you wrote: "At some point I decided to break the loop by investing in my mind and my spirit. " I do want that to be a part of this blog-ging. When you have time, let us know more specifics.
One question I want us to ponder is what happens when our minds shut down by increments? Yours is such an incredible mind: I know you speak at least 3 languages beautifully and write in them equally as well. I know your spirit travels far as well. How do you adjust when you start to no longer advance in all those areas?
Maybe the theme is sort of what you wrote. At all stages there is something to do or be that can make us feel better. Coping is what we are talking about--as individuals and as a community? joan