We have entered new territory in the last 6 months. Most of us are left with a feeling of uncertainty not knowing where to turn for guidance. The news leaves us confused, angry, sad, and frightened as we look to others for encouragement and direction. Relationships can be tested and finances can be strained. All we planned for in our later years seems to be surrounded by this fog of the unknown. We must deal with our inner most emotions of fear and anxiety which can affect our emotional and physical well being.
Where do you stand? How are you coping with this great challenge of faith? Is your true character rising to the surface and causing you to be shocked by your own behavior!
I once heard Zig Ziglar who is an accomplished author and speaker say, “you can change who you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind”. You’ve probably also heard the axiom, “garbage in and garbage out”. You are an accumulation of all of your thoughts. Everything in your life happens as an extension of your belief system. Have you ever known people who expect bad things to happen to them at all times and just as they expect, so do they receive! We control much more than we can ever imagine. Our thoughts every moment are laying the ground work for tomorrow’s events. Therefore, be very conscious of what you are designing for your future by your thoughts today!
I have gone down this path because I see too many seniors living life without a plan and without joy. Yes I know that many older adults are confronted with challenges that seem unfair and difficult. As we age, our bodies are designed to wear down and cause us discomfort. We are also tested financially as our earning power diminishes as we enter retirement. A fixed income combined with physical and emotional pain can seem to be too much to endure. But since this is our only life on earth we can choose how to react to these challenges. We decide whether we smile or cry. Only each and every one of us can make the choice of focusing on our bad lot in life, or we can make lemonade out of lemons! Only we have the ability to change our perspective of any situation.
If you are feeling isolated and not knowing how to change your life to a meaningful happy life, here is an observation I have made based on countless senior clients who have made the choice to connect with others to find meaning in their lives. I have been asked to provide my knowledge and expertise to help numerous older adults downsize, move, and find happiness in their new surroundings. When I first meet with many of my senior clients in their homes, the beginning of many appointments start with the statement, “I know it’s time to move but I’m afraid, overwhelmed and confused. I don’t know how to begin to clear out the 50years of ‘treasures’, then whether my home will sell or not, and how to find the right senior community to suit my needs”. Usually procrastination sets in to avoid the issue at hand. Then a change happens. I show them the facts. I help them by connecting them with the many service providers who are anxious to assist them in downsizing, determining how much they can spend each month so that their money will last their lifetime, and to find the right senior community to match their physical and emotional needs. There are so many wonderful companies just waiting to help anyone who has a desire to improve their lives and utilize their assets in a positive way. After my clients have made their moves, what do I hear most often? ”I wish I had done this sooner and why did I wait so long?”
I was recently invited to a lunch by a marketing director at a senior community. Table after table I witnessed vibrant conversations as well as laughter and smiles. Four tables included folks who blessed me with helping them downsize and sell their homes. I visited each of those past clients and found them to be transformed. Before their moves there was sadness and pain in their eyes and now after the move, joy and excitement! They were connecting with others as we are meant to do. They were finding the romance in their lives once again! They found new friends who were also connecting. They were in the game of life again. By sharing the gift of friendship to others, they had in turn given themselves the greatest gift of all…a life worth living!!
