News Briefs
February 16, 2016
Roman Antoine Guidry
February 17, 2016Last week, I passed on 12 suggestions given by seniors on how to be fully alive in our senior years. Today’s article will complete that listing.
13. Try to accept all invitations even if you don’t feel like it – Baptisms, Confirmations, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences, whatever. Try to go. It’s good to get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). Still, don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Resources limit some events, and not all family members can be invited. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, plays, concerts, just go walk through a field.
14. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some very positive things to say.
15. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are; they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
16. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone – say you are sorry. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said, “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with life.
17. If you have a strong faith and belief in God, savor it. Don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They have to make their own choices no matter what you tell them. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs by letting your light shine and the joy you show with your life may persuade them to follow your lead.
18. Laugh. Laugh a lot. Laugh at everything. Remember that you are a lucky one. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many people never get to this age, never get to experience a full life, but you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.
19. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. You should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and extremely happy!
20. Remember: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” St. Paul of the Cross once said, “Let all creation help you to praise God. Give yourself the rest you need. When you are walking alone, listen to the sermon preached to you by the flowers, the trees, the shrubs, the sky, the sun and the whole world. Notice how they preach to you a sermon full of love, of praise of God, and how they invite you to proclaim the greatness of the one who has given them being.” •
