Decline is Not Inevitable
by Barbara Morris, R. Ph.
Oprah is getting her OWN network and has invited those with an idea for a show to submit a video. In response to the video I submitted, (see the video link below) a very wise person made this comment:
"Barbara, I would love to see you get your own show, you would have a huge audience out there, just speaking about the capabilities of people who are somewhat senior citizens, encouraging them and giving them something positive to think about and do, making them feel like they are still worthwhile human beings who have some dignity left. I have worked in the nursing homes and assisted living facilities and it is not a pretty picture, so you have my vote, and I will be watching with baited breath."
Old age for many people is not fun. It can mean years of debilitating pain and dependence. But does it have to be that way? As people age, why is it that so many suffer severe decline while others continue to rock 'n roll?
There are several things necessary for healthy aging that will help you stay in control of your life and improve your chances of having fulfilling mature years (Notice I did not say "senior" years):
* Awareness of what you have now, mentally and physically. You must make an effort to maintain and improve what you have. It requires a commitment to staying healthy through diet, and exercise, not just occasionally, but forever.
*imperative to be productive with something that has value, not just for you, but for others.
*Above all, it's essential to avoid becoming part of the traditional retired lifestyle.
Retirement in our culture has become a cherished entitlement. If you've worked most or all of your adult years, by the time you are 65, you are probably looking forward to finally cashing in your chips and enjoy what's left of life. The lure of retirement is enhanced by your "existence manager" whose job is to get you to the end of your life. Please understand that your "existence manager" is an anti-survival instinct subject to your control and if you exercise smart management over it, you are more likely to get to the end of your life on your terms.
If you are close to retirement and you are worn out and having health problems, decide that after retirement you will take a year to unwind, refocus, and try to fix or improve what's ailing you. You may be thinking, "It's going to take more than a year to fix what's wrong with me." Maybe so. But if you have been accustomed to using your mind, you will become bored very quickly if not challenged. Boredom is the twin of decline. If you get one, you get the other. They are inseparable.While you are recuperating from a lifetime of toil, plan how you will avoid the lures, pitfalls, and traps of the traditional retired culture after your year of renewal is up. (Actually, this is something you should have done before retirement.) If you don't do that you are a dead duck, in more ways than one. I can tell you right now that the senior culture has it's "membership bazookas" trained in your direction. It's not going to be easy to steer clear of it, but if you know it's out there waiting for you, you can take action to avoid it.
As long as you live and breathe and still have the ability to make choices, you can choose how you live, think and behave. You don't have to opt into the retired senior culture and decline with your passive peers. If you think and plan ahead you can choose to make your mature years the best years of your life by striking out on your own, developing a personal lifestyle that is growth oriented, productive and of value to others.
You are a big girl or boy. You don't have to follow what your peers are doing, or what society says is the proper thing to do "at your age." Ignore your chronological age and all the depressing, negative stuff that has become an accepted way of life for retirees. Create your own world filled with new fresh unorthodox ideas, and acquire ageless, productive friends who are as gung-ho as you are. The sooner you do it, the better.
It's a simple but profound truth. If you allow your mind and body to lie fallow, it will decay faster than you can possibly imagine. A nursing home or assisted living is not necessarily your fate if you take control of what you allow to go on in your head, and the lifestyle you choose to live - while you still have the capacity to make choices.
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Here's my video on Oprah's site:
http://theycallmemovies.com/newwave/MEDIA/Barbara/FLVPlayer/deploy/videoPlayer.html
Source: July, 2010 Put Old on Hold NewsletterBarbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Barbara@PutOldOnHold.com
© 2010 – Image F/X Publications, All rights reserved. If you "borrow" my articles, or other articles in this newsletter please do not re-write them as your own. Give proper attribution. Thanks!
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