Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Aging, I decided, is a gift
As I get older I am at peace with myself and proud of the person I now am. Oh, not physically! I sometime moan about my body, the wrinkles and the sagging butt. And often I wonder about the person in my mirror I hardly recognize, but not for long.

         I would never trade my amazing family, my wonderful friends, my tranquil life for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I have seen too many leave this world too soon -- before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

         I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of my youth, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swimsuit stretched over a less-than-perfect body if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
         They, too, will get old before they know it.
         Over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved
one, or when a child suffers, or even when your beloved pet dies? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being compassionate.
          I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to see my youthful laughs forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
          As we get
older it is easier to be positive. We care a lot less about what other people think. We have even earned the right to be wrong on occasion.
       I like my age. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

On Laughter
We’ve all heard the expression Laughter is the Best Medicine, but how many of us take it seriously?
            The first one to do so was, of course, Norman Cousins who was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that caused him severe pain. When doctors were convinced that he would not live more than a few months he took matters into his own hand to reverse the damage. He left his hospital bed and followed his personal road to recovery. He took massive amounts of vitamin C and embarked on laughter therapy by watching comedies. He soon realized that ten minutes of laughter allowed him to sleep pain free for several hours. He slowly improved as he continued to laugh as much as he could. Two years later he returned to work completely cured. 
            Laughter is good for the body and the soul as it increases endorphins leading to brain activity which amps up memory and recall. In short it makes the brain work better. Nothing works faster or is more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer. In addition studies have found that laughter improves the function of blood vessels which can help protect against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
            What about those who seem to have negativity ingrained in their heads? It then becomes a question of making the effort to focus on things that can make them feel better, and laughter is a great vehicle to reach that goal. It certainly reverses a bad mood.
             Laughter therapy to relieve negativity, pain and stress is free and universally accessible to everyone. There are of course comedies on television and movies and many radio stations now offer comedy hours. There’s also laughter yoga which provides exercise for the body and the mind. We only have to look to find sources of laughter. Or hanging around with those for whom laughter comes easily rather than with sourpusses.
            Groups calling themselves Laughter on Call visit care centers to help those suffering from dementia and severe pain, and they are making a difference. They are improving the lives of people who might not find much to laugh about in their reality.
            Canadian Albert Neremberg, one of the world’s top experts on the benefits of laughter, uses laughter therapy when working with patients in drug and rehab centers. “Recovering addicts are pining for a rush, and laughing gives them the most natural high there is,” he says.
            As it does for the rest of us!



Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Honor to our Veterans
The first time I went to Europe some years ago, I visited two military cemeteries honoring fallen soldiers. The white crosses all in a row as far as the eye could see brought tears to my eyes. A cross for every young man who gave his life for freedom in bloody wars. We don’t often think of how many soldiers perished to ensure the enemy was defeated, but we should. And we should also never forget the number of soldiers who came home after giving their all in battle. We owe them so much.
            At the November ceremonies honoring veterans, we see a quickly diminishing number of older men who served in WWII proudly at attention because there are so many younger veterans these days. The ranks of young men and women who serve their country in varied far-away places with honor keep growing. Let’s show them we appreciate their sacrifice. As someone put it: A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'citizens of my country' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
            That is honor. There are too many people who no longer understand what it means.
            This November, let’s pay homage to all those who ensured our freedom. We owe them that much and so much more. And let’s make sure our children and grandchildren understand the sacrifices of our veterans.
             Lest we forget, lest they forget.