L
luckotheirish
Guest
...of getting old, by itself?? No.
...of some of the things that go with it?? Yup - mostly of losing my ability to think, know, and understand. Alzheimer's is one of the cruelest ways to go, IMO.
In my job as a pharmacist, I see and talk with all types and ages, but the vast majority are people who are 50 plus - as these people tend to take the most prescription medicine. I have the privilege of receiving the wisdom and advice that many of these people have to offer. It is truly a gift.
If you take the time to open them up and talk to them - and listen - there's no telling what you might learn. All day long, I hear about their life's successes and failures, good times and bad. It's like having a hundred grandmas and grandpas. Some people turn bitter and hateful, others wistful and sad. But others have taken it all in stride and, everyday, courageously look for something to make them smile, make them feel alive - even in the face of enormous tragedy and infirmity. It's quite inspiring.
These experiences have convicted me of some important things:
1. Don't waste your time - or other people's. Enjoy every moment you can.
2. Don't waste your chances. It's the worst kind of extravagance. There isn't always another chance waiting, or another, or another.
3. Good health is like a bank account. Save for your future or you won't have one. Eating right, exercising, not smoking, not drinking to excess, getting adequate rest, loving and being loved are all deposits in your account. Poor diet, sedentary living, smoking, drinking to excess, being bitter, angry and hateful are all debits. And there will be a reckoning of your account, sooner or later. The things you do, beneficial and harmful, are cumulative. Even if you don't see the benefit or the damage right away (almost always the case when we're young), the benefit or the damage is being counted.
4. Stay engaged. Universally, the healthiest, happiest 75 year olds are the ones who have stayed engaged - in mind, body, or both. Think, learn, understand, run, jump, play, love.
5. Good and bad things will happen. Do the best you can to learn what you can and move on. Enjoy the good and learn from the bad.
I've had the opportunity to ask the successful ones, "What's your secret? How do you keep your mind, body, and sense of humor in such good condition?" Universally, they all say, "Keep movin', son. If you lay down, you'll stay down."
End of sermon....
...of some of the things that go with it?? Yup - mostly of losing my ability to think, know, and understand. Alzheimer's is one of the cruelest ways to go, IMO.
In my job as a pharmacist, I see and talk with all types and ages, but the vast majority are people who are 50 plus - as these people tend to take the most prescription medicine. I have the privilege of receiving the wisdom and advice that many of these people have to offer. It is truly a gift.
If you take the time to open them up and talk to them - and listen - there's no telling what you might learn. All day long, I hear about their life's successes and failures, good times and bad. It's like having a hundred grandmas and grandpas. Some people turn bitter and hateful, others wistful and sad. But others have taken it all in stride and, everyday, courageously look for something to make them smile, make them feel alive - even in the face of enormous tragedy and infirmity. It's quite inspiring.
These experiences have convicted me of some important things:
1. Don't waste your time - or other people's. Enjoy every moment you can.
2. Don't waste your chances. It's the worst kind of extravagance. There isn't always another chance waiting, or another, or another.
3. Good health is like a bank account. Save for your future or you won't have one. Eating right, exercising, not smoking, not drinking to excess, getting adequate rest, loving and being loved are all deposits in your account. Poor diet, sedentary living, smoking, drinking to excess, being bitter, angry and hateful are all debits. And there will be a reckoning of your account, sooner or later. The things you do, beneficial and harmful, are cumulative. Even if you don't see the benefit or the damage right away (almost always the case when we're young), the benefit or the damage is being counted.
4. Stay engaged. Universally, the healthiest, happiest 75 year olds are the ones who have stayed engaged - in mind, body, or both. Think, learn, understand, run, jump, play, love.
5. Good and bad things will happen. Do the best you can to learn what you can and move on. Enjoy the good and learn from the bad.
I've had the opportunity to ask the successful ones, "What's your secret? How do you keep your mind, body, and sense of humor in such good condition?" Universally, they all say, "Keep movin', son. If you lay down, you'll stay down."
End of sermon....
You are a pretty obvious "legal" whore 
