So what if life doesn’t always play out the way you planned? It is important that you don’t think of yourself as a failure. Human nature dictates that you can still move on and you can still change. Hopefully, even though you are older, you can still see yourself as a work in progress. Author Lesley Garner wrote in her book “Life Lessons Part 4” that it is never too late to turn the tide as you journey toward self discovery. Comforting words don’t you think?
People of all ages write to her asking if it is too late to effect a change in their lives. Don’t tell me that you haven’t thought that very same thing, even if you wonder if it is all worthwhile. Believe it or not, you face the same issues at ninety that you faced at twenty. You still have issues with love, relationships and loss of meaning. On the inside you are still the same person. No matter how old you are, you are still searching for answers to the same questions. It gives you pause doesn’t it? People adapt. Adaptability is a life-skill that you carry with you until you take your last breath. You cannot adapt if you resist the idea of change.
A lot of people just assume that they have already burned too many bridges, but there is still time to try again. People want to change. Why else would self-help books be so popular? I have seen more than my share of apathy while working with seniors. It makes me sad. I hope that it doesn’t happen to me. Just waiting to die should never be an option.
If you feel like giving up, perhaps it is time to re-examine some options. The author has some interesting suggestions to help you on your way:
- You don’t have to pretend that everything is fine when indeed it is not. If you can analyze and give a name to these feelings you can regain a semblance of control.
- Write those feeling down. The author is a great believer in writing things down. The act of writing clarifies things and detaches you from them. If you regain control you can start thinking of a way to get out of your funk.
- She recommends getting in the habit of taking walks. She promises that your thinking will change and your spirits will lift. You can get a lot of thinking done during a walk. If you have ever had the opportunity to walk on an isolated beach or enjoy the quiet of a forest, you will be especially mindful of this.
- Keep to your old rituals or develop some new ones. Rituals keep you reconnected to the flow of the world around you.
- Take some risks. Do something or go somewhere you have never been or done before.
- Decide to change but don’t do it all at once. Change your life in small steps, one step at a time. The author is a believer of the magic of 20 minutes. Focus on something that you can do right now and go for it!
It is time to sit down today, no matter what your circumstances and think about making some changes.
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