Category: The good news (Page 2 of 11)

Happy birthday!

Birthdays.  Lots of fun (?) as we get older.  Even our friends aren’t too thrilled when our day comes around.

Everyone’s busy.  Everyone’s broke.  Everyone’s scared to consider they also are aging.

But we celebrate them.  Or at least, we stop and consider them. Even though as we age, the age we are “sounds” different than it did when we were much younger.  Remember how old you thought your 45-year-old art teacher was?  How over-the-hill the bus driver was?  How you’d never look as “bad” as that gray-haired woman who lived down the street with all the cats?

50?  Yeech, that’s when you stop staying up late at night.  60?  You probably won’t leave the house then.  70?  Teeth in a jar.

And then we turn these ages…and realize how untrue all that is, how we had no clue when we were young that we were infants compared to what life is all about.  The experiences we have, the wisdom we gain, the pain we live through…it all makes us who we are right now. 

And that includes those wrinkles.  And extra inches around our waistline.  Nature is going to do what nature is going to do.  We don’t have to completely give up, we can get off the couch and go to the gym, walk 10,000+ steps a day or do some chair aerobics, and have an apple instead of a snack cake.

And we can celebrate right now, in this moment, being alive and not being a kid anymore. How great it is to no longer worry what everyone thinks about us all the time.  Not letting fear rule every decision we make.  Not putting important things off because we think we’ll live forever. Not thinking every disappointment or failure has doomed us for eternity.

In fact, it’s those disappointments and failures that give the cake of life its flavor.  You might not taste it at first, you might have to wait quite a while, but you’ll eventually detect the spices that make up your unique recipe:  the heartbreaks, getting fired, making a bad choice or two or three, poor judgment, bad haircuts and more.

And as baby boomers, we get to celebrate what all we’ve seen and it’s all part of us as well…landing on the moon, the battle for civil rights, protecting the environment…it’s not too late to stand up and make our voices heard when we see things going in the wrong direction.  We’re still here.  We’re smarter and more patient now (in most cases) and we have a lot to contribute.

So light those candles.  And make that wish come true.  Every day could be the birth of something wonderful—if we help make it so.

“Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and who we want to be.” 

  Lauren Hutton 

I know it’s here somewhere…

Where are my glasses?

I know I put them somewhere…I thought it was in this room…wasn’t I in here last?  No, wait, I might have set them down in the bedroom. Let’s see….no, don’t see them…I’ll try the office. What a mess this office is, I really need to clean it.  But I can’t, until I find my glasses.

I’ll retrace my steps…got up, went in the kitchen…look at the stack of dishes, geesh, I need to wash them…but I can’t see them well enough at the moment, so need to find those glasses…okay, after I went in the kitchen this morning, I then went in the utility room to try and find the leash so I could take the dog for a walk…that’s it!  My glasses are on top of the dryer next to the dog food.

Speaking of dog food, did I feed her already today?  Dang it.  She looks hungry.  But then she always looks hungry.  Maybe I need to start marking it on the calendar, if I can ever remember to keep a pencil by the calendar.

Speaking of pencils, I need to buy more.  I’ll add that to the list on the counter.

Okay now that I have my glasses, where is my phone?  Shoot.  I have no idea where I had that last.  It’s not on the charger.  It’s not in the bedroom.  And I can’t call it because my kids convinced me I didn’t need a land line anymore, so either I find it, or I have to go by a new one.  But where is it?

Did I use it late last night?  I’ll check the pockets of my jackets…nope, is it on the end table?  Or was I playing Angry Birds while watching the movie….aha!  Right between the sofa cushions.  Perfect.

Now if I can remember where my keys are, we can go…. wait, wasn’t I making a list?  Why isn’t it on the counter?  

Have you been there?  Getting older isn’t dull.  Sometimes it can feel like a conspiracy…invisible gremlins gleefully hiding things, moving furniture, causing chaos.  There was a book I read when I was a child called The Borrowers, wee folk who took small things for their use like thimbles (remember those), utensils, etc. so the residents of the home always seemed to be losing things, or at least could not remember where they were.  We can joke about it, but sometimes it’s worrisome…when is it just being absentminded, and when it is a sign of dementia…and what can we do about it?

The National Institute on Aging offers these insights:

“Some changes in thinking are common as people get older. For example, older adults may have:

  • Increased difficulty finding words and recalling names
  • More problems with multi-tasking
  • Mild decreases in the ability to pay attention

“Some older adults find that they don’t do as well as younger people on complex memory or learning tests. Given enough time, though, they can do as well. There is growing evidence that the brain remains “plastic”—able to adapt to new challenges and tasks—as people age.  Aging may also bring positive cognitive changes. People often have more knowledge and insight from a lifetime of experiences. Research shows that older adults can still:

  • Learn new things
  • Create new memories
  • Improve vocabulary and language skills

“It is not clear why some people think well as they get older while others do not. One possible reason is “cognitive reserve,” the brain’s ability to work well even when some part of it is disrupted. People with more education seem to have more cognitive reserve than others.”

Some brain changes, such as those associated with Alzheimer’s disease, are NOT a normal part of aging.  Check with your physician if you are concerned about you or someone else.   

The good news:   there are ways to keep your brain healthy:

  • Regular exercise, we’re talking at least 30 minutes of true cardio exercise several times a week, pumps blood to your brain and helps reduce cell loss in the brain.  So park further away from the store.  Take the stairs.  Get up and walk around when you can, or do chair aerobics.
  • Listen to music:  studies show that while hearing music, the areas in the brain involving making decision, accessing memories and making predictions “light up.”  Get out those old Doobie Brothers albums or CDs.  Or that wonderful Mozart.
  • Eat lots of colorful vegetables: they are high in disease-fighting antioxidants and they work to rid the body of bad free radicals.  Make your plate look like a rainbow.
  • Stop smoking and drink moderately.   Smoking is just plain bad.  Alcohol, depending on the study you read, can actually be beneficial, but only in moderate amounts.  Be smart.
  • Be social.  Regularly communicate with friends and family,  put yourself in social situations, engage in the world around you.  It really makes a difference.

It’s important not to panic if you often find yourself forgetting where your key are.  We all do it. But it’s equally vital to understand that bigger changes—such as frequent mood swings, loss of interest, confusion, poor grooming habits, etc.—in yourself or someone you love requires the attention of a physician.

This is a busy time of year and we all have way too many lists to keep up with…so cut yourself some slack if you accidentally put the Christmas stocking in the refrigerator and the turkey on the mantle.  Give yourself the gift of patience.  And a little good music.

 

“Happiness is good health and a bad memory.”

    Ingrid Bergman

 

 

Getting older or better?

Are you scared of turning 60?  Or 70?  Or whatever age you’re about to be?

We get a number in our heads and we start worrying…what will life be like, what will I look like, and how much longer do I have…and most of the time, these fears are based on advertising, old movies, or mean old people we knew when we were children.

That crabby lady down the street who never handed out Halloween candy.  The old man who seemed to get so old so fast.  Our third-grade math teacher who never smiled.  When we were about 10 years old, they seemed to be 100.  But of course, they weren’t.

They were just older.  And since it was probably 50+ years ago when we knew them, they were older in a different time.  A time when there weren’t yoga classes for people over 70. Or strength training opportunities for anyone past 80.  Or well-designed communities for people over 55 with everything from an indoor pool to a pub to a non-stop calendar of events.

So, whether it’s true or not, it seems like people “back then” aged faster. They certainly didn’t have all the health and nutrition advantages we do now.  Many of them probably did physical labor for so many years it took its toll. Health conditions that are quite treatable today weren’t then.  People sat outside and worshipped the sun without realizing the dangers, so there a whole lot more wrinkles to rock.

Today, some say 50 is the new 40, 60 is the new 50, and so on. Maybe just say 60 is the new 60!  Maybe don’t worry about the number; but do have a good understanding of the physical changes that occur as we age and how we can enjoy life more than ever.

There are some physical changes to be aware of as we get older…startsat60.com lists a few:

  • Our taste buds are not quite as sharp.
  • Body odor changes.
  • Always loved sweets? You might find yourself with stronger cravings for salty, or vice versa.
  • Feeling stiff and sore in the morning is common as we age.
  • Wonder why you always seem to have a bruise? Your skin is thinner so a slight bump can leave a mark.
  • Feel achy? If you’ve had bad posture or have been inactive for years, it’s going to show.
  • Dry skin. Drink more water and use lotions.
  • Bladder problems can occur.
  • You might forget things more often.

Is it all bad news?  NO!  While it’s a good idea to understand that these changes are normal, it’s even more important to know you can do quite a lot to level the playing field.

Here’s some thoughts from Mayo Clinic about healthy aging:

  • Every day, do something physical. Walk, swim, do chair aerobics…it will help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and feel better in general.
  • Don’t smoke. Eat a healthy diet.  And get enough sleep.
  • Bones weaken as we age. So, get enough calcium, vitamin D and watch your alcohol intake. And join a gym for some strength training—you are never too old to build muscle.
  • Stay social. Find reasons to get out and meet people, stay in touch with friends, have the family over.  Social interaction wards off depression  and stress, which can contribute to memory loss.
  • Exercise your mind by always learning something new…a foreign language, a new way to drive to the store, or a complex puzzle to solve.

The GREAT news about turning older.

Remember when you were 39 and you thought 40 meant it was all over?

Or turning 50 and thinking everything was going to stop?

Well chances are it didn’t….you look back now and laugh, thinking how young you were then, and if “I’d only known” then I wouldn’t have worried.  It’s the same now.  Find someone 10 years older and they will urge you to get up, get active and enjoy life with all the gusto you can.

Because being afraid of what might come isn’t going to help.

Being proactive in making “now” better just might.

  • You can sit in front of the TV all day. Or you can go to the park and walk by a lake.
  • You can never learn another thing. Or you can take an adult education class and learn all about something you never even considered, make new friends, and expand your world.
  • You can eat the same food every day. Or you can go online and find new recipes and try them out on your friends.
  • You can look at old photos and cry. Or you can become a docent at a local history museum and interact with interested people all day.
  • You can decide no one cares anymore. Or you can connect with a volunteer agency in your town and start helping the truly needy and forgotten.

Life really is what you make it.  And you have the wisdom, experience and talent to make it spectacular.  Or at least, more interesting than you thought possible.

It’s your time.  And it’s your choice.

Sit and stew…or rock that wrinkle?

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.

        Henry David Thoreau

Is the party over?

It’s hot.  It’s late July.  Are these the “Dog Days”?  I used to see that on my father’s calendar in his office and wonder what that meant…were dogs suddenly going to appear somewhere?

Now I understand.  You just feel like walking around with your tongue hanging out.

It’s been a weird summer  Weird weather.  Weird interactions in the workday.  Weird injuries.  It’s frustrating because I always feel like every day is so precious and I shouldn’t waste it….I should get out there and be doing things.  But sometimes I think Nature finds a way to slow us down, make us stop, and be still.  Really still.  Or, as a member of the clergy reminded me the other day, “put our toes in the sand.”

Sounds pretty good to me.

Already, we’re in a rush.  We let Sunday advertising tell us it’s time for back to school.  Put away the toys, balls, and bats kids, because it’s time to start worrying about school.  Hurry up and take that vacation everybody, because it’s about to all be over.  What are you waiting for?  Make your reservations or forget it.

Was it this way when we were children?  I can’t remember already getting depressed at the end of July.

IMG_0130I remember thinking in late July I had one more month of freedom.  So I savored every second of it.  Popsicles at night, hide-and-go-seek on the street corner, cool dirt and soft grass to run in.  Surely now that we are so much older, we can give ourselves the permission to extend the summer as long as we can.

Because really, it should be a state of mind.  A place where we can go when life just gets too hectic.  And it is too hectic.

We’ve made our lives insanely busy.  But sometimes I think through all the appointments, commitments, and requirements, we’ve forgotten to live.  To even notice where we are or who we are with.  At the end of the day, can you answer these questions?

  • Was it sunny today or cloudy?
  • Did you smile at a stranger today?  Help anyone?
  • How many times did you laugh?
  • What have you learned today?
  • Did you remember to have some moments of gratitude?
  • Was there even a minute when you stopped, looked around, took a deep breath and really noticed your surroundings?
  • Isn’t that what living is supposed to be about?

Don’t let advertising tell you when it’s time to relax or play. Or when it’s time to stop.  If you’re a boomer and beyond, you know better.

You know life is what you make it…and maybe right now, you’re ready to make it fun.

 

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.”

      Helen Keller

 

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