People think that the elderly don’t have any lessons to give, but they’re wrong. Author, John Leland interviewed seniors in his book Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old. Here are 5 life lessons from the book that the oldest seniors around gave.
5 Life Lessons From the Oldest Seniors
Here are a few simple things you can do to enhance your life as you get older.
1. Don’t Let Age Define You
The seniors in this book defy cliches and expectations. These people ranging from 87 to 92, are full fledge people with their own personalities.
They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, wives, and husbands. Age doesn’t change them. It’s not a problem to be fixed. It’s a stage of life like anything else.
2. Still Set Personal Goals
Just because you get older doesn’t mean that you have to stop being ambitious. Whether it’s personal or for something more professional, setting goals will keep you strong.
It can even be as small as finding something that makes you happy everyday.
3. Focus on What You Can Do
It’s easy to get stuck in a downward spiral of all the things you’ve lost. Leland found that in this age group, people who do things that interest them have the most satisfaction.
They focus on what they can do instead of what they can’t.
4. Be Adaptable
Don’t let a change of circumstance limit your life. Just because one thing changes, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.
For example, someone who has a hard time moving around, may decide to use a wheelchair. While some may think this is restrictive, it opens up their world. They can go more places and be comfortable.
5. Embrace the Changes in Your Life
Change is hard, and as much as we want to pretend we have control, we don’t. For some people who are older, their roles will change. They might be getting help from their kids, instead of the other way around.
This isn’t a bad thing though. You can still be emotionally supportive of those who are helping you physically.
Read more about these lessons here.