Beginnings

  When friends Nancy and Linda suggested we start a blog, my thought was what an exciting challenge that would be. It would mean spending time with two people whom I like and find interesting; figuring out the technical aspects of setting up a blog; writing posts on topics that affect people who are within … Continue reading “Beginnings”

 

When friends Nancy and Linda suggested we start a blog, my thought was what an exciting challenge that would be. It would mean spending time with two people whom I like and find interesting; figuring out the technical aspects of setting up a blog; writing posts on topics that affect people who are within a decade or two of my age, on either side of it; and helping to find my own way through this newest stage of development in my life, my seventh decade on this planet.

A salute to beginnings and change. They should be anticipated, exciting, fun, challenging, a change of routine, otherwise why every year do we look forward to spring; a new fitness routine; meeting new friends; starting a new book; planning a trip to the Antarctic; planting flowers; trying new foods or the latest restaurant; starting a new class; or as they say, “whatever rings your bell”.

And yet, there are times when starting something new fills one with uncertainty, those feelings of what I’m doing today is comfortable, so why change it?; might it fail?; are my abilities up to this?; is it more trouble than it’s worth?, etc.etc. We come up with the best of arguments to continue on the same road we’re on when there’s so much “off-road” adventure awaiting us. I’ve spent considerable time thinking about the phrase “Aging Well” and it seems  that one of the most critical elements is to interact with the world around us. Our health and well being depend on relationships, on engaging with people, making and keeping new bonds, and of being part of a community. This is good for the brain, the body and the soul. Studies say that it preserves memory and our thinking abilities and  nurtures the feeling of well being. A second key to aging well is to keep learning and growing, activities which also stimulate the brain, lead us to thoughts and places we haven’t been to before and bring new possibilities to our future.