I've spent a good amount of time with 90+ individuals in the past few years and I've learned a lot from those hardy, positive folks. I've also witnessed the fact that aging is humbling. Just recently my own experience with an aging-related medical procedure at the same time that the young people in my life were celebrating a few raucous, exuberant, fun-filled events of youth was a stark reminder that I'm getting older. That reminder jolted me in an abrupt way leaving me a bit cranky and filled with a desire to be young again. That's not a good place to me, and I knew I needed to make a correction quickly.
We can't wish ourselves young, but we can re-look at our lives to see how to "enjoy the stage we're in" in ways that maximize our health and happiness. We don't want to be crotchety naysayers when met with the excitement and happiness of youth, but instead we want to support and enjoy their celebrations just as so many supported and celebrated us during those chapters of life. We also don't want to find ourselves as caregivers and supporters alone, but instead people who are immersed in our own good times, adventures, and fun too. As I am always reminded, there's a balance to be had.
So as I age and I think about those older than me who have modeled some great ways to age with grace, good humor, and strength, I want to do the following:
- Accept and take care of the health and medical needs that show up in a timely manner
- Enjoy and support good times, good health, and positive support for those I love and care for in whatever stage of life they are in
- As much as possible have good times on the schedule to look forward to, plan for, and enjoy
- Balance the role of helper with other aspects of life--if you try to help too much and don't care for yourself, you won't be a very positive or successful helper.
- Have a positive attitude, and when you get cranky, give yourself a restful, enjoyable break of some kind--do what you love in an environment that you love with the people you love.
