I believe senior citizens will continue to play an increasingly important role in our society. It is worth stressing that senior stereotypes are changing and it is no longer correct nor fair to consider a senior as a ” has been” or as ” over the hill”. Seniors have gained considerable experience in their lives and their contribution and numbers have continued to grow. A North American study showed that the average life expectancy has increased from 68 years in 1950 to 78.6 years in 2017.
It is true that aging involves wellness challenges that require different forms of continuing support. However, these sometimes difficult and unpleasant aspects of aging have been more than offset by the accumulated experience, wisdom and love that we seniors can continue to share throughout our family and friendship circles. Even more importantly, our longer lives can allow us to extend our sharing and enjoyment of such wonderful things as – love – happiness – dreams – caring –grandchildren and even great grandchildren – empathy – volunteer services – insights and advice – friendships – and family bonding.
The following thoughts and amusing quotes are intended to demonstrate some good things that aging provides:
- Age is much like wine. The older we get the more we appreciate the quality of life we have been blessed to live and taste. (FMF)
- The spirit never ages. It stays forever young. (Lailah Gifty Akita)
- We have no control over growing old. However, we do retain control over such things as: – the decisions we make – the lessons we absorb – maintaining our many lasting and enjoyable relationships – sharing inspiring feelings and memories (FMF)
- To help keep our heart unwrinkled simply requires that we be hopeful, kindly, cheerful and reverent. This allows us to triumph over old age. ( Thomas B. Aldrich)
- Following are some suggestions to help us feel and act like we are still young: -remember to take our daily prescription, vitamins and cups of coffee or tea – stay active indoors and/or outdoors – constantly enjoy our “family bubble” – maintain our friendships – freely give complements – light a candle when darkness tries to invade our thoughts and those of others – keep nourishing our heart which is unaware of the wrinkles, aches and stiffness that invades other body parts. (FMF)
- Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been. (David Bowie)
- Our heart is the source of our love. It is connected to our feelings and emotions with a love hose. This allows our heart to constantly nourish them with its love seeds. These love seeds allow our feelings and emotions to grow and become a garden of love that blooms throughout our life. Let’s never allow a rock to be placed on the love hose that will cause our garden of love to wither and die. (FMF)
- Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
- Old age can be a pleasant experience. It is true we are given a cue to say goodbye and walk off the centre stage. But the good new, is that we are guided to a front row seat to continue to enjoy the rest of the show. (FMF)
- You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.(C.S. Lewis)
- Aging wrinkles are not a sign of aging but rather a sign that your life has overflowed with smiles and laughter and making funny expressions. (FMF)
