Over the hill and liking the view

Submitted

 

Have you ever wondered why so many older people are smiling?  Let’s think about that for a moment….Most seniors have a warm place to live. The kids are grown up and out of the nest. They only work if they choose to, and they are finished with having other people tell them what to do!  True, they might have a few more aches and pains, but when your most burning question is “What will I do today?” a sore knee and a slightly leaky bladder are mere inconveniences.

Most seniors have a sense of satisfaction and anticipation around their newfound freedom, because they’ve paid their dues and now they get to sample life from a huge smorgasbord of possibilities.  Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” But that’s okay, as long as you enjoy chocolate and surprises!

This wonderful attitude is what we refer to as positive aging. Even if every day isn’t a bed of roses, most seniors are thankful to be on this side of the grass, or as one put it, I’d rather be over the hill than buried under it!  It’s not so much about having a big wad of money in the bank, or even having 100 friends…it’s more about learning to let go of the things that make you feel old and move on with a fresh look at life.

While doing some research on positive aging, we discovered a book entitled “From Aging to Saging:  A Profound New Vision of Growing Older” by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.  It is described on www.amazon.ca as a book in which Reb Zalman shares his journey to find a way to turn aging into the most meaningful and joyous time in his life.  The author shows readers how to create an aging process for themselves that is full of adventure, passion, mystery and fulfillment, rather than anxiety.  By harnessing the power of the spirit, as well as explaining exactly how to become a sage in their own community, he gives readers a helpful and moving way to use their own experiences to nurture, heal, and perhaps even save a younger generation from the prison of how we typically regard aging.

Positive aging is:

• Taking advantage of opportunities to become contented and fulfilled as we age because we have experienced much and now know better what to do and not to do to be happy.

• Learning to relax demands placed on us by others and ourselves. We don’t feel the need to be super heroes.

• Forgiving ourselves and others more easily because we have learned it is more work to carry a grudge.

• Taking chances more frequently, as we don’t fuss over a failure.  Who cares?  Try again.

• Acknowledging that smart eating and frequent exercising are good choices, which will help us live longer and have a better quality of life.

• Realizing that getting involved is more fun than being bored, and it opens doors for us to communicate and grow.

• Doing things that bring us joy, peace and fulfillment and not wasting time on negative stuff.

• View helping others, learning and growing as opportunities not obligations.

What does positive aging look like?

• You go to a party and you feel out of place, but you still accept and like yourself for who you are.

• It’s learning to SKYPE on the computer so you can keep in touch with your grandchildren.

• It’s buying a bicycle so you can ride downtown on Saturdays.

• It’s volunteering at the local school to help young students with their reading skills.

• It’s taking a road trip with your best friend, to finally see the Rockies up close.

• You go to a meeting and finally have the guts to stand up and say what you really think.

• Being grateful that wrinkles don’t hurt.

• You fall on the stairs and hurt your ankle, but are grateful that you didn’t break both legs.

• You finally take that painting class that you’ve been putting off for years because you were too busy.

• When you’re beyond the shame of asking a person their name when you’ve met them several times before.

• Going to the hairdresser and deciding to try a new haircut or a new style.

Growing older can be a meaningful, positive experience.  Even if we encounter declining health or other problems, it is all about our state of mind and heart.  If we think happy, we will find happiness.  If we feel love, we will find love.  If we believe older is a wonderful time of life, it becomes such.

So if you’re 70, 60 or 50 – C’mon.  Hop on the bus.  It’s gonna be a great ride!