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As she was passing through her eighties and nineties to the ripe old age of ninety-nine, my mother-in-law used to say, “Growing old isn’t for sissies.”
As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes that can significantly impact our day-to-day functioning. If you are in your 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s, you know what I’m talking about:
• We lose muscle mass and strength. (That darn pickle jar is hard to open!)
• We lose bone density. (I didn’t know so many parts could get broken!)
• Joints may start hurting. (“Shoulders, knees and toes, knees, and toes! ♫♫)
• Our heart may not pump like it used to. (How many stairs to the bedroom?)
• Eyes see less, ears hear less, food doesn’t taste like it use to (“Eh? What did you say?)
• Skin wrinkles, gets thinner, and can tear. Hair may thin and gray. (“Now where did I put my Just for Men?”)
• Metabolism slows, digestion is less efficient. (“May I have the senior portion, please?”)
• Balance and coordination get harder (Hanging up my roller blades!)
So how do we dance with our bodies when they are in decline? I’m sure you know the drill: exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get regular check-ups, stay mentally active, make your home safer to avoid falls, use hearing aids, glasses, walkers as you need them, stay connected with friends and family.
Preventive maintenance is important to keep us dancing with our bodies. But how do we keep our souls dancing as our body declines?
Focus on what you can do rather than on what you can’t do.
Keep a positive attitude. Find things you enjoy doing that align with your current state of functioning and health. I can’t play racquetball any more but I can shoot a mean game of pool!
Have an explorer’s mindset.
Ask yourself, “What has my life been like so far? What have I learned? What can I discover about this phase of my life? Who can help me navigate aging and decline?
Keep a gratitude list.
Keep a list of what you are grateful for. See if you can add at least one thing to your list every day.
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Have a friend or cousin or aunt or uncle you haven’t talked to or seen in years? Call them. Find them on Facebook and friend them.
Volunteer.
Hospitals, social clubs, the Red Cross, polling stations, are always looking for volunteers. Get out of the house and give of yourself, or use the phone to provide support and friendship to people.
Feed your soul.
Stay active in or return to a community of faith. Listen to music. Read. Sit outside or at the window and enjoy nature.
Dance in Your New Phase of Life
Dancing, living, with a declining body as we enter late life requires learning some new dance steps. The dance of later life may be uncomfortable at first. But there’s plenty of music playing to dance to, plenty of things we can still do as we age and our bodies begin to wear down.
With an attitude of gratitude, find something you can enjoy doing and put your heart into it. Share what you find with family and friends. Volunteer and share your time with people who can use some encouragement. Feed the hunger in your soul with what gives you meaning. Who knows, you may even learn some cool dance steps!
Growing old isn’t for sissies, take courage and dance!
Need help dancing with your body in decline?
Jim Cyr is a trained spiritual companion who helps older adults reflect on the meaning of their lives and how God has been present or absent as they face the challenges of aging and end of life.
You can learn more about Jim at www.jimcyr.com.