seniors aging gracefully

“Sometimes you gotta say ‘What the fuck’, make your move. Joel, every now and then, saying ‘What the fuck’ brings freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.”  These words from Risky Business makes sense when you age. If you recall that was one of Tom Cruise’s first film and the one that launched his career. I especially like the scene in which Tom dances in his underwear to Bob Segar’s Old Time Rock and Roll, call me a dirty old lady. BTW I saw Seger play with the Eagles when I did my internship at the New Orleans VA.

SO what does this mean to a senior citizen. It is your time now, time to let go of all those negative thought that have kept you back in the past – you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not attractive enough, not smart enough.

It is time to spread your wings, go for it, make a bucket list and start checking items off. Usually on that list is travel and I have already written about some of the trips I have taken in recent years. If travel outside the States is scary, there are amazing places to explore here at home. The Grand Canyon, not to miss. I was there many years ago right before I was diagnosed with this autoimmune disease that almost killed me. I was going down hill rapidly and as typical with rare diseases, it took forever to get a diagnosis. So there I was at the Grand Canyon, thinking this may be one of my last days on earth, so I indulged myself and took a helicopter into the canyon. awesome

there are so many places to see in the states, cities like NYC, New Orleans, San Fran, Boston, Chicago. There are the national parks, which have a special admission rate for seniors. Apparently the parts in Calif are quite overcrowded but there are other options like Maine. And if you really want to test your limits, try hiking a part of the Appalachian Trail.

But going for it, taking chances can begin at home. Think about taking a course at your senior center, take up a new hobby, consider learning a new language. Anyting to get you off the couch, plus there is the added benefit – it will help keep your cognitive functioning intact.