Ten Ways Senior
Citizens Can Change
By Sue Miller
You get up achy,
stiff and tired. You check the obituary listings
to see who is still around. You meet with friends
and everyone complains about being ignored by family,
former business associates, and the few friends
that are still around. Your opinions are never taken
seriously and you feel your relatives are resenting
you for living too long and spending what would
have been their inheritance.
Sounds familiar and depressing, doesn’t it?
It needn’t be that way. The examples cited
are never going away. But we can change, even slightly,
and prove to ourselves that we are still vital and
productive seniors. Now is the time to update our
own personal ten commandments. Here are ten ways
in which senior citizens, or anybody, can change
for the better.
1. Get up and force yourself to exercise every morning.
Anything that you do will make you feel both mentally
and physically better.
2. As long as you don’t see your own name
in the obituary list, you are better off than those
who are listed, and you can begin to challenge the
new day.
3. Instead of always complaining about your family,
recall how great they really are and what the both
of you have accomplished and achieved. You should
be proud of them, but more important, they should
be proud of you.
4. Your opinions and viewpoints are important to
you and you should not be ashamed to express them
regardless of how outlandish. It shows you are thinking
and trying to stay up with the world.
5. Try traveling to see different parts of this
country as well as foreign countries. There are
many organizations that cater to seniors --- Elderhostels,
Tauck Tours, Cruises, to name but a few.
6. Go to movies in the afternoon (popcorn is free
on Tuesday). For hearing problems, look for foreign
films that have English subtitles.
7. Take chartered bus tours to parks, museums, theatres,
and casinos. Take very little money to the casinos
and always look for the free or inexpensive buffets.
The ride is relaxing and the scenery is beautiful.
8. Check out books in the libraries that have a
big selection of books in large print. The most
current fiction and non-fiction books are now both
in regular and large print.
9. Recognize and accept that you are a senior. When
driving your car becomes dangerous, turn in your
license and keys before your children start to pressure
you.
10. You should always regard yourself as number
one. Your children will respect you for your independence.
So get off you duff, and live each day to the fullest.
Find a friend, a partner or, yes – even a
new spouse to share your life. If you don’t
have one, keep on looking. It is never too late.
(Sue Miller is the author of "I'm Tougher Than
I Look," Williams Cohen Press 2006). You can
visit her website at: www.imtougherthanilook.com.
Contact information: Stacey J. Miller, S. J. Miller
Communications, Randolph, MA http://www.bookpr.com
email: sjmiller@bookpr.com)
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