Dealing with Old(er) Age
Life is an amazing journey, though getting older can mean unwanted changes. Sometimes, our bodies (or our minds) let us down. In 2004, Pope John Paul II acknowledged this as he battled Parkinson’s. He said, “The passing years make one feel an ever more intense need for help from God, and from people." Even popes struggle with getting old! So, what can we do to handle the unwanted changes we face? Here are a few ideas:
Let GOD (and people) help:
As Pope JPII said, struggle can be an opportunity to grow deeper in faith and give our burdens to God. Just knowing He is there, and that He loves us despite how we see ourselves can can help us replace some of the burden with peace. Give it to God!
After a life of valiantly overcoming the world’s challenges, needing to ask for help can feel weak and unfair. However, giving others in our lives the opportunity to share in our struggles can be a blessing for them as well as for us! Consider how good it feels to help someone for whom we care. Those are often gifts, not burdens! Let others in to receive the gift of you!
Find joy in change
A healthier lifestyle may accompany aging. For example, we tend to have more restricted diets. Eating involves more than just the actual food. It includes cooking, enjoying restaurants, socializing, as well as enjoying foods like baked goods or fried foods. In facing the need to eat healthier, we can focus on what we can no longer eat, or we can get more creative with what we can. Try exploring the more exotic produce at the supermarket. Google an interesting recipe from scratch and give it a try. Have fun with the change!
Maybe you need to stay active, but you don’t like to exercise. Combine activity with something you do enjoy. It may be conversation with a friend, or a good book or podcast, or music.
Have grace for yourself:
Many of us have high expectations on ourselves. Throughout life we compete in games, in sports, in our jobs, and most aspects of our lives. As our bodies and minds age, our production and our performance may decrease. Acceptance and gratitude lead to peace and happiness.
Find value in lower pressure activities:
Okay, this one is particularly difficult for me. As we age, we’re told to enjoy the experience and not worry about the outcome. I’ve had to learn this hard lesson with running. Learning to enjoy activities for the experience can bring tremendous joy to life. I’ve learned to appreciate the slow jogs, without the expectation of speed. Activities like painting, walking, woodworking, knitting, writing, reading, and so many more can be enjoyed without the pressure of having to excel. With work, instead of worrying about earnings, find ways to give back to the community or support your family in other ways.
Find humor!
Clearly, some things in life are serious. Yet, we can find humor all over the place if we’re willing to look. Laughter heals, and you can share it with others. Humor can challenge boredom, fatigue, sadness, worry, anger, and even shame. In the TV show, Shrinking, Harrison Ford’s character struggles through the progression of Parkinson’s disease, so he creates the mantra; “(F@&#) Parkinson’s.” While I doubt Pope JP II would approve the language, the humorous (yet defiant) sentiment feels healing. It’s a life lesson for us. If you have the wisdom to accept what you must, do so with humor.
