Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Aging Memory
It has been my experience that one common fear people over 50 have is that they will suffer from dementia, perhaps even early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Of course, many of us are aware of someone who is battling the dreaded disease, often someone close to us, so it is natural to wonder if we will also suffer the same fate.
          Since people are living longer, the statistics seem to be dire. However, all is not lost. While memory undergoes subtle changes with age, there are many things that can be done to keep our brains healthy. It is not unusual to forget simple things like the reason we came into a room or the name of our neighbor’s dog. My friend Barb calls those brain farts. Colorful word but rather accurate, don’t you think, since we do remember a moment later.
          If we forget where we parked the car in the large lot of a mall, we may be tempted to think we’ve really lost it, but that happens to people of all ages. In the days when cars had actual radio antennae, people put a flag or other colorful aid on it so a car could be found easily. Of course, since the car antenna today is mostly invisible within the glass of the windshield that option has gone out the door although we can use our remote keypad as a guide.
          Experts say that it’s important to pay attention to simple things that may be causing less than perfect memory, and which we can remedied.
<    -- Fatigue: when the body if tired, memory is not as sharp.
<    -- Absentmindedness: thinking about half a dozen things at the same time the mind is not as focused.
<    -- Grieving: the loss of a loved one can play havoc with our intellectual ability for a time.
<    --- Depression: when the mind sees only the dark side of life, memory can become clouded.
<    -- Medication: some medication can lower our level of perception.
<    -- Alcohol: excessive drinking can perturb the way the brain works and lead to short-term memory loss.
      -- Stress and anxiety: they keep attention focused on only one aspect of our lives and can make us forget things we normally would not.
    It’s important to get the help we need when we need it to keep the brain and memory sharp.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Butterflies
While I don’t consider myself a lepidopterist like those who make the study of butterflies their vocation, butterflies inspire me. The wall in front of the desk in my home office displays an array of butterflies of various colors, sizes, materials and details. I like butterflies not only because of their beauty and colors, but because they remind me that although they begin life as crawling insects they metamorphose into elegant flyers. They remind me that anything is possible, at any stage of life if we are willing to transform our views and ideas.
Some people believe that those they loved and have passed often appear as butterflies. They see butterflies as messengers connected to the spiritual world to bring comfort in times of grief. Of course, no one can actually prove such a thing, but that does not alter the belief of so many people with touching stories to tell about butterflies. We all need to know that there is a grand life on the other side, and those who believe in the role of butterflies find comfort in being shown that their loved ones are in a better place.
I certainly accept the possibility. After all, there are so many mysterious things in this world, and one certainly does not have to be a scientist to appreciate that fact. As Albert Einstein said: “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”  
We live in a world of mysteries that humans are forever attempting to understand. Sometimes, it is reassuring to simply accept the mysterious without attempting to decipher it.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

ABOUT LABELING
While traveling by car recently, I was half listening to talk radio. I perked up however when the announcer who was discussing a local incident referred to a 66-year-old woman as elderly. The remark made me scream: What!
            From the sound of his voice, I was certain the man was young and of the opinion that anyone over 50 is disgustingly old. I couldn’t blame him too loudly because I remembered that I felt the same way at some point. When my dad passed away at the age of 55, I was 14. Relatives and friends all seemed to make the same remark: He was so young! I couldn’t understand that. To me, he was simply old.
            But then life happened and my perspective changed. I suppose it’s the same for everyone, and that young announcer will surely realize one day soon that not everyone over the age of 65 is elderly, and that being a senior does not necessary mean being elderly. If a 66-year-old is elderly, what do you call a person in their 90s? I say Young at Heart.
            Anyway, why is it that we feel to need to categorize age. Some people are children, some are adolescents, and the rest are adults. And if we mention a person’s age, there is certainly no need to qualify it. Some people are old at 40, while others in their 70s are full of joy, vitality and optimism.
            In my view, labeling people for whatever reason can be misleading. For example, I object to hearing the label “women’s issues.” Shouldn’t they be people issues? After all, whatever affects women, also affects the family, the community, the workplace, etc. To me, the moniker women’s issues simply perpetuates men’s long-held social attitude of the not-so-distant past that being female means being somewhat apart, inferior in some way.
            It’s the same for age. By qualifying a person’s age, we detract from the essence of the person. In fact, we declare that that person is somewhat inferior in some way. As people get on in age, they may face physical issues that slow them down, but they are still simply adults who have acquired wisdom and enrich all other adults.

             
           

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Summer Light
It’s summer. Time to relax and enjoy life. Is there any better way than by laughing? Looking over the e-mails I got lately, I’ve decided to share some that made me smile.
                          
Civilization in 2017-  
Our Phones - Wireless 
Cooking - Fireless 
Cars - Keyless 
Food – Fatless 
Leaders  - Shameless  
Relationships - Meaningless                      
Feelings -  Heartless 
Children – Mannerless 
We are-SPEECHLESS 
Government-is CLUELESS 
And our Politicians-are WORTHLESS! 
 I'm scared – S*#&less
Summer is short. Enjoy it!