In her latest book Let Them (which I recommend reading) Mel Robbins reminds us, “You are the only person you are guaranteed to spend the rest of your life with.
How true! People come and go throughout our lives. Some leave footprints on our hearts. Others leave scars. Regardless, each one can be a learning experience if we choose. But when people leave…through their own volition or by passing on to the next realm….we still have ourselves.
Often we perform contortions to make others happy. News bulletin: us humans can only be truly happy and contented when we are comfortable and at peace with ourselves. As the old adage goes, ” If Mama ain’t happy, nobody is happy.”
Keeping that in mind, here are some questions that only you can answer.
Are you please with the person you are now? If not, what do you need to do to bring you contentment?
Are you learning something new everyday? If not, why not. We need to challenge our brains every day less our grey matter shrink.
Do you have goals? Even at 99 years, goals are still important. My daily goals help me to get out of bed every morning even when staying wrapped up and comfy seems like a good idea.
Are you taking time and choosing to get adequate rest, eat healthily and exercise most days of the week? If not, pick one and work on it with small goals.
Years ago I taught stress management classes. I would remind attendees “that even a good battery needs recharging occasionally.” And so we should “recharge” in order that that we may give. That’s not being selfish. It’s simply ascertaining that we have the resources to have strength for others and in keeping with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
SeniorTraveler 