21

Our age will reveal many circumstances about ourselves during the active process of living and engaging with the world around us. Aging is a journey, and a topic that many older people tend to put off. Seniors  tend to turn a blind eye to daily nourishment, exercise and social contact until it becomes past date due. Barring unfortunate health  circumstances beyond personal control (nourishment, selective exercise and social contact can still be acquired) many ambulatory seniors simply have poor life habits. They may not have always been this way but let slip the good bits over the decades. Encouraging greater mental acuity, preferable sleep, less falls, aches and pains, and the reduction of depression seems like a good goal, but it is a different process for everyone. I am now in my 7th decade and, it seems to me, still going strong. Of course there are compromises that I have made because I am not 20, 30, 40 plus years old any more. What some might see as the beginning of the end when they reach certain decades I see as an opportunity for new determination and the appropriate time for increased advancement of better habits that have been, for many, non existent or dormant for many, many years. So, in this series I want to contribute some of my current and past pathways to staying mentally and physically fit. With as much humor as possible and some serious thought I will dispense some personal incites on aging for the retiring body and mind. And of course always, ALWAYS consult a Physician or other qualified Health Practitioner before changing or starting new routines. I AM NOT a licensed Health Professional in any shape or form.

With age comes wisdom? Maybe and maybe not, but I can say one thing, with age you understand how long the runway of life is. It is shorter than you think! No time to waist! Try to find the kindness in life and wear it every day just like your clothes.

Part of aging is realizing that you are aging. Sounds like a silly thought but it is true. By accepting the inevitable you have a good chance of complying with the practicalities of having more time behind you than in front of you. Love and kindness become brighter beacons of truth.

A constant in my life has been exercise. When I think about how I have exercised 3 to 5 days a week for over 50 years it puts a smile on my face and a glow in my heart. I try to encourage my friends with words to move their bodies into a more healthy state, but I find that by setting an example I can catch more fish! I encourage people to have an honest engagement with their mind and bodies. Peace Out!

When I was a young man I would look at someone who was 10, 15 or 20 years older than myself and I would think, "they look healthy. If they can do it so can I." All through the decades I have looked to others as examples of a healthy life style. It was not a perfect solution, but it was a constant source of inspiration for me. It was a well I could travel to and replenish my determination. A well that still pulses through my life.

SLEEP, SLEEP and SLEEP.....Each and every person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Our Brains need deep sleep in order too flush. We need to Dream in order to make sense of the waking world. Our Muscles and Nervous system need Sleep to heal. The world will be brighter and happier with a good nights Sleep. Research the Topic for your own edification.

Eat, Sleep, Exercise, Read, Laugh, Friends, Hobbies, Meditate! These are a basic list for the aged, for Senior Citizens of which I am one. Lead by example and encourage others young and old to embrace the goodness that surrounds you. Sometimes you have to look really hard for those surroundings, but believe they are there!

When my body is burning calories. When I am engaged with my environment and moving within the spaces surrounding me, I sense the energy of gravity, of people, of nature. Metaphorically speaking  life is light to me. It helps me to see and feel. As I age  parts of me slowly change, disappear only to be replaced with a freshness I never knew was there.

Getting older and "going for the ride"