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December 2013

Top 10 Greatest Things About Aging

“Life is a country that the old have seen, and lived in.   Those who have to travel through it can only learn the way from them.”  – Joseph Joubert

Aging is great!   We all do it, albeit at seemingly different rates, and we share this trait with each other with varying levels of grace.   Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate aging more?   Well, I’m not willing to stand by and wait…So here is a list of greatest things about aging, with tongue firmly placed in cheek, for you to enjoy:

1. Time.   You have much time to enjoy, or do whatever you please with.  All those fun and interesting things you always wanted to learn and do – it’s time!
2. You know yourself better.  After spending many years with yourself, you know enough to know what makes you happy.   If you choose not to act on that information…well that’s just a shame.
3. Fashion no longer worries you.  The ‘Fashion Police’ are no longer chasing you – but if you want to focus on fashion, you have decades of experience (and styles!) to choose from.  And the fashion fads don’t affect you since you’ve seen each of them a few times already.
4. Wisdom.   This is not guaranteed unfortunately, but at least decisions become easier over time based on experience.  And you’ve witnessed things that younger people have only heard about.
5. Play the seniors tees.   Better chance of achieving that score for the round you expected when you were 30.
6. Closer parking.  The prime spots are now available to you.  And further to this, people give up other seats for you.  You’ve earned all the best views.
7. You don’t care what other people think of you.  Too bad it takes so long to understand this in the first place…one of the most important things to learn in life to avoid anguish.
8. Your children are grown and you know how they turned out.  No more worrying about whether you are doing a good enough job.  It’s all on them now.
9. You know that it’s really not important to rush.  You’ve seen how the young driver drives like a maniac to pass you, only to get stuck behind another driver or at the next light, as you pass him by.  You’ve also seen how rushing to save 2 minutes never really made a difference. 
10. You haven’t died before your time or been cut down in your prime.  Nope.   Just right.   Seasoned, experienced, ready for more!

So there you have it.  Ten great things about aging!   Now carry on aging with more grace, less fear, and a ‘devil may care’ attitude.   Have fun and enjoy the ride!

And if you think of something that should be in the Top 10 list here, let me know!

Chris Wilkinson is the Owner/GM for the Nurse Next Door Home Care Services franchise serving Cowichan, Nanaimo, Parksville and surrounding communities.   Nurse Next Door provides award winning in-home care and support for seniors who want to remain living in their own homes.  Email Chris@NurseNextDoorNanaimo.com for more information