By Ruby MacDonald

“I began to understand that the promises of the world are for the most part vain phantoms, and that to have faith in one self and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.” – Michelangelo

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback; I don’t think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, the woman was immediately embarrassed. I then explained that it was an interesting question and I would ponder it.

Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body, of course! The wrinkles, the baggy eyes, skin spots and bumps, the sagging butt, and – - -. Often I am taken aback by that old person who lives in my mirror, but I don’t agonize over those things for very long. This is God’s plan for us.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family 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 finally become my own friend and I like her.

I don’t chide myself for eating that extra cookie or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly trinket. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy and to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. I dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50’s and if at the same time wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach in a swimsuit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. Oh yes, they too, will eventually look like me.

I know I am often forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. Eventually I remember the important things.

Sure, 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 a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

Most importantly, I think that by living this many years, I have finally begun to understand a bit about why we are all here; why we were gifted to walk the pathways we have trod and maybe glimpse a bit of God’s plan for now and later. I have been truly blessed.

So, to answer the question: I like being old. 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. And -I shall eat a bit of the “dessert of life” every single day! (Author unknown – an email forward 5-05)

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I’d like to thank the person who wrote this article because she has fed us some challenging food for thought. Today let’s all rethink our own attitudes about aging and if they are less than positive, turn those thoughts around so that each and every day that God gives us will be a precious gift for which we truly give thanks and receive with gratitude each and every morning as we awaken.

PEOPLE DON’T GROW OLD.

WHEN THEY STOP GROWING, THEY BECOME OLD. – (Anonymous)

Is there really a secret to the secret or is the secret no secret at all?

By Ruby MacDonald

“A person who sets his/her mind on the dark side of life, who lives over and over the misfortunes and disappointments of the past, prays for similar misfortunes and disappointments in the future. If you will see nothing but ill luck in the future, you are praying for such ill luck and will surely get it.” – Prentice Mulford

This is the last in a series of three regarding this subject. As I’ve talked with various retiree’s about using this technique for changing our lives and getting what we really want, I am asked the same question many times:  “But don’t we have to take responsibility and do something besides ask, believe, and wait for it to come to us?”

The answer is YES, you must participate.  It takes more than asking and waiting. You must participate with your whole mind, body and soul. Don’t expect the universe to dump a million silver dollars in your lap simply because you asked. If it is realistic for YOU, it may come after you’ve asked, if you’ve made an effort to enter all the doors of opportunity that the asking has provided for you.

One of the other questions I’m asked is about age. Many people think that their age is a barrier to using these principles, but let me assure you that there is no age limit – it is only each of us who set those limits.  So now let’s go to work. I’ll explain how to use the principles in the book, The Secret, and in other motivational wisdom books such as those written by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Carolyn Myss, and many others.  Basically, only the words are different, the message is the same. The message is about THE LAW OF ATTRACTION – OR

— I attract what I think about all day long — Senior Living Insights

I know a man who is always pinching pennies, is always saying he can’t afford to do what his peers are doing, is always worried about where the next check is coming from – and when he speaks, he mostly comes from a negative place.  I ATTRACT WHAT I THINK ABOUT –. Yes, you got it. As you know, when you come from a negative place, the mind only hears negativity and works to produce more of what “we think about,” even though we may say we don’t like the cards we’ve been dealt.  But in reality we are creating that negative environment by our thoughts and words.  Do you remember hearing, “Change yourself and you change your universe?”

We can certainly apply the law of attraction to health. If we focus on our aches and pains (and who amongst us doesn’t have any?) our pains will increase, and we will talk more about them and they will get even worse. It’s not to say that we should ignore whatever is going on in our bodies; we need to take care of the problems with medication, exercise or whatever has been suggested or prescribed, but we don’t need to tell the world about it repeatedly, and keep complaining about the pain because that serves to reinforce the illness and produce more. Focusing on something positive opens the door to joy and happiness even though the pain is a companion.

Owen Waters, author of “The Shift: The revolution in human consciousness,” says “The state of regular, conscious thinking often contains self-limiting filters like skepticism, fears, or a lack of self-esteem.”  Sometimes we must work hard to break those habits of thought and change them to a positive way of looking at life, no matter what our circumstances may be. We may have pain or handicaps for the rest of our lives, but we must find some way to see life in a positive way so that we can live with joy instead of becoming bitter about life and hard to live with.

Abraham/Hicks say, “ You can get anywhere you want to be from wherever you now are. There is no place that you are that is too far from where you want to be. (There are no exceptions.) Just go there little by little, as you deliberately feel a little better now, and little better now. “

In reality, there are no secrets in life – just common sense. The laws of the universe apply. Plant weeds and weeds will grow. Plant beautiful flowers and you’ll have a joyful burst of color. I’d rather attract a bouquet of fragrant carnations, wouldn’t you?

“I AM WHAT I THINK ABOUT ALL DAY LONG“

Senior Living Insights

http://www.seniorlivingsolutions.com

(PRWEB) November 10, 2008 – Designed to give seniors the ultimate luxury retirement experience, Chateau Senior Community has added an array of new classes and activities to its active cruise boat-like events lineup.  The unique retirement community prides itself in offering an opulent, entertaining atmosphere as found onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise line ships, but tailored specifically for retired seniors.

In the midst of their gourmet food menus, fun activities, spa services, shows and cocktail hours, the Chateau Senior Community found a way to give their residents even more to celebrate.  Original and new events, meant to inspire exuberance, have been introduced to an already diverse regiment.  Senior tai chi classes, chair dancing, live theater (music and dance troops), art classes, cruises on the San Francisco Bay, senior dances, monthly gourmet fine dining brunches, a New Life Senior Forum, and much more are now available to community residents.   Seniors can even take part in new Conductorcise classes, where members get to exercise while simulating conducting a large symphony orchestra. 

Assisted living for seniors doesn’t have to be monotonous or dull; in addition to the new listing of activity options, each of the Chateau Senior Living Communities, the managers individually teach a special interest class every week in order to bond with residents on a deeper, more personal level.  Seniors are welcome to join their friends and peers in scrapbooking class, news and politics forums, old stories group, The Sunshine Gang which visits residents in the hospital, the Good Cooks network, hymn sing, Bible study, computer skills, balance and fitness class.

Created more than 20 years ago by owner Tom MacDonald, the unique Pleasant Hills, California-based Chateau Senior Community was born out of a desire to make the “sunset years” of our lives memorable and fun. 

“I was looking at possible retirement solutions for my mother,” MacDonald says. “Developing a cruise boat-like experience on land was my goal, but what was more important was pairing the fun of cruise boat living with reliable senior care services that my mother and other aging adults would need.”

The result became today’s fun-filled and trustworthy Chateau Senior Community, a place that MacDonald is confident when he leaves for the night, his residents are well taken care of.  “Not just three meals a day,” he says, “but housekeeping, laundry, doctor, shuttles, and even medication management if needed.”

With all the new and exciting courses and activities onboard at the Chateau Senior Community, it’s no wonder some residents have chosen to stay for more than 19 years. “If there’s a time to get pampered, it is when you’ve become a senior,” MacDonald says. “When you’re done working hard and raising a family and are finally ready to take care of yourself, we are here for you.”

For more information on the Chateau Senior Community, please visit www.TheInsideReality.com or call 877-468-9773.

About the Chateau Senior Community:

Since Chateau Senior Community was founded in 1986, MacDonald has become a true pioneer in the senior assisted living cruise concept.  “The Fall Prevention Program,” “Diabetes Management Program” and other community award winning programs promote wellness and prevention awareness about senior citizens.  MacDonald says that he and his team are always striving for the next thing, the new approach to living longer and living healthier.

Media contact: Francesca MacDonald

Phone: 877-468-9773