For a life well lived don't fear change, and change your friends if necessary. Each phase of life comes and goes in a Gaussian curve kind of way, as I wrote in a previous blog post. Entering and leaving each phase involves some adaptation, making the absence of misoneism (fear of change) on your part a critical skill for continued happiness, especially as you age. The real trick is to keep your mind AND ... Read more
As the years go by, the more difficult it becomes to stay active into old age, but try you must. I think the reason I have done so well with my abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft is, at least in part, due to my general level of fitness at the time the stent was installed, in 2010, and throughout the intervening years. Your body will deteriorate without exercise, and this affects every system, including your ... Read more
"Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plats are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail." From the Tao te Ching, Lao-tzu (about 300-400 BCE), translated by Steven ... Read more
A friend of mine, Henry Heck, died recently, and he was not the first to leave us. Each time it happens, I'm left thinking that every day is more precious than the last. People speak of the autumn of life, and I guess it's the natural cycle of things, but I'm in no hurry to go. I'm working to enjoy these lovely fall days and nights in North Carolina. The dogs are certainly happier, and more active, as the ... Read more
There is no doubt about the fact that aging is stressful, and developing the tools to deal with it, such as meditation, and a good network of friends and family, can transform a living hell into a delightful life. When I discovered meditation, years ago, I realized that I could calm my mind when needed, with some training. The greater the stress level (which is all in the mind, really), the tougher it is to ... Read more
You can exercise to look younger, I've noticed, as I continue Ironman training into my 70s. It works best, Deb tells me, when I keep my hat on to hide my white, yes, white, not grey, hair. Exercise-induced youthfulness comes with many benefits, especially when you need to attract a good mate, and keep them. Bit like fishing with the right bait, don't you think? When I was actually young, in my 20s, people ... Read more
As an older athlete, now in my 70s, keeping my body moving in endurance races takes a little body work, where the input of experts helps a lot. I must admit that I love my training life-style, but each day I have to work on tight spots, and from time-to-time I seek assistance from body movement experts. If I was as well off, financially, as Bob Hope in his later years, just like him I'd have a massage every day, ... Read more
Hi folks, welcome! If you are having a hard time finding inspiration to help you cope with aging, remember that there are always others who have overcome greater adversity into later life, and with a smile. Along with aging, can come a feeling of increased separation from the mainstream of society, but it can be countered by inspiration from others who have traveled a harder road, which is why I spoke to ... Read more
Healthy food for a healthy body and a happy planet.
The secret is to be a Jack of All Trades, but master of one. One that will earn you a living if the grants don't come in.
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