Gone are the days when your children would look after you when you were no longer able to do it yourself. Today we need to make our own plans for what our future looks like and there is no better time to start than right now!
Aging is something that we really don't give too much thought to. It's a topic that really doesn't interest us until we are at that "AGE" when our bodies and maybe our minds start to slip a little. \
I can remember vividly during my 40's and early 50's never needing a phone book! I could remember peoples' faces and names and yes their phone numbers as well. Then all of a sudden one day I could not remember a friend's phone number that I would have called at least twice a week.
What was going on with me?
It was time to take a good hard look at the aging process and understand what was happening to my mind as well as my body.
No one has the magic pill that will keep these things from happening to us, but we can and do have tools that will make life (and aging) that much easier.
First and foremost, get used to writing things down. You will NOT remember! ( Or you might remember two weeks later ) Get used to it!
Don't give in though! Reading and using your mind to do puzzles, crosswords, math problems like SUDOKU, will help to keep your mind sharp. So don't just sit back and let nature take it's course without giving it a hard time. Using the brain cells will help to keep it active.
Join some groups that will teach you new skills. Maybe something that you have been wanting to do for a long time, but never had the opportunity or time to pursue. Painting, quilting, needlepoint, card playing, fitness classes ( for seniors of course), sitting in on some university courses or listening to podcasts on any topic you enjoy, will help to keep your mind and even your body moving.
Take the time to do some reading about aging, what to expect and how to win at the "End Game"!
We will all do this at some point in our lives, so let's do it our way!
This book might be the help you need to get you started!
Interesting book review, Olivia. I think humor goes a long way toward discussing any subject, but most especially when talking about the LAST subject. Lots of people don't want to talk about death and dying, or even the process of aging, but to do it with humor helps a lot. Thanks for your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteHumor and difficult topics is a good mix, sometimes you laugh and other times you might cry, but in the end the laughter will get you through the hard stuff!
DeleteI agree with Elf. Difficult topics and challenges are a bit easier to face when we can keep our sense of humor. Thanks for your review and recommendation of Winning the Endgame.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Margaret! I appreciate you too!
DeleteGetting older is challenging. What used to be right there to draw on, now seems just out of reach in our mind. Accepting yourself just as you are is important. This book seems to be full of useful information on how to do that. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, don't forget to laugh, just a little as well.....
DeleteOlivia, where you talked about how amazing your memory was when you were young....that was me! I was thinking about it the other day and I could remember what was in boxes that weren't labelled in our moves! I could remember exactly where each item was positioned - I loved that memory I had - yep, you're right, I have to write things down now, and I'm still shocked that my brain doesn't have those skills from my youth anymore. I miss that part of my youth. Quick thinking is still something I retain, and I sure hope that stays a while longer!
ReplyDeleteThat is a hard thing to accept, but, keeping your mind active is a great way to slow these things down. Like all the word and puzzle books you publish. They are excellent at keeping the mind active!
Delete"so let's do it our way!" love your attitude and have always admired JLC
ReplyDeleteMe too!
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