We, who have surpassed our golden years, offer these
valuable tips that have been collected from many a senior, each with his or her
own piece of advice. So read well, share with your loved ones, and have a great
day and a great life!
1. It's time to use
the money you saved up.
Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may
have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing
more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard
earned capital. They only bring problems and worries and this is a time for you
to enjoy some peace and quiet.
2. Stop worrying
about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren.
Don't feel bad for spending your money on yourselves. You've
taken care of them all their lives and you've taught them what you could. You
gave them an education, food, shelter, and support. The responsibility is now
theirs to earn their own money.
3. Keep healthy
lives, without great physical effort.
Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well, and
get your sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy.
That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your
medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor and get tested even
when you're feeling well. Stay informed.
4. Always buy the
best, most beautiful items for your significant other.
The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One
day, one of you will miss the other, when money will no longer provide any
comfort. So, enjoy it together.
5. Don't stress over
the little things.
You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good
memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the
past drag you down and don't let the future frighten you. Feel good in the here
and now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
6. Regardless of age,
always keep love alive.
Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your
neighbor, and remember: "A man is not old as long as he has intelligence
and affection." Be very patient with each other. Avoid cariño brutal, it
may hurt sensitive souls.
7. Be proud, both
inside and out.
Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your
nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams
well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making
you feel proud and strong.
8. Don't lose sight
of fashion trends for your age, but keep your sense of style.
There's nothing worse than an older person trying to wear
the current fashion among youngsters. You've developed your own sense of what looks
good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It's part of who you are.
9. ALWAYS stay
up-to-date.
Read newspapers, watch the news on TV. Go online and read
what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to
sign up to Facebook or a couple of social networks. You'll be surprised how old
friends may be found. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the
people you know, is important at any age.
10. Respect the
younger generation and their opinions.
They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the
future and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism,
and try to remind them of yesterday's wisdom that still applies today.
11. Never use the
phrase: "In my time".
As long as you're alive, you are a part of this time. Have
fun and enjoy life.
12. Some people
embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly.
Life is too short to waste being surly. Spend your time with
positive, cheerful people, it'll rub off on you and your days will seem that
much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you an old grouch
and harder to be around.
13. Don't abandon
your hobbies.
If you don't have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike,
cook, dance, read and write you memoirs. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a
garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer
at an NGO or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some
real time having fun with it.
14. Even if you don't
feel like it, try to accept invitations.
Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try
to go. But don’t go to wakes for obvious reasons. Get out of the house, meet
people you haven't seen in a while, experience something new (or something
old). But don't get upset when you're not invited. Some events are limited by
resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the
house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk barefoot through a field. Get
out there.
15. Be a
conversationalist. Talk less and listen more.
Most seniors go on and on about the past, not caring if
their listeners are really interested. That's a great way of reducing their
desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don't go off
into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to
complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations
as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low
tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.
16. Pain and
discomfort go hand in hand with getting older.
Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the
cycle of life we're all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They
are not who you are, they are something that life has added to you. If they
become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
17. If you've been
offended by someone, forgive them. If you've offended someone, apologize.
Don't drag resentment around with you. It only serves to
make you sad and bitter. It doesn't matter who was right. Someone once said:
"Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to
die." Don't take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.
18. If you have a
strong faith, savor it.
The key is not to waste your time trying to convince others.
They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only
bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your
beliefs and let that memory sway them.
19. Laugh. Laugh out
Loud (LOL). Laugh at everything.
Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You've managed to live
a long fruitful life. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a
full life. But you did. So what's not to laugh about? Find the humor in your
situation.
20. Take no notice of
what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking.
They'll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself
and what you've achieved. Let them talk and don't worry. They have no idea
about your history, your memories and the life you've lived so far. There's
still much to be written, so get busy writing and don't waste time thinking
about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as
happy as you can be!
21. Do not surrender
to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren.
Filipinos are great for being family oriented. Your children
or grandchildren will definitely avoid dumping you to old folks home. But
modern condo living is getting to be unavoidable and househelp is getting
scarce. But we all need our privacy.
They need theirs and you need yours. If you've (heaven forbid) lost your partner, then find some kind soul
to care for you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need
the help or do not want to live alone.
AND REMEMBER: "Life is too short to drink bad
wine."
