EMPOWERED SENIOR LIVING

 “BECAUSE I CAN”  

By: Ruby MacDonald

Recently our daughter Shannon moved to this area from Bend, Oregon.  I watched as the movers unloaded all of their “treasures” from the large moving van into the house. I became fascinated with one of the movers as I watched him work. It was obvious he wasn’t a kid, but he was lean and muscular and worked harder than the eighteen year old mover. Curious, I asked the 75 year old man who was checking off the items if he knew the man’s age. He shook his head and then shouted over, “Hey, Jim, how old are ya’?”

“Eighty-two” Jim replied as he kept working.  My other daughter, Deb asked, “Why are you doing this kind of hard work?”  His reply was the stimulus for this article.  “BECAUSE I CAN,” Jim replied with pride, “Keeps me moving and healthy.”  He kept walking towards the van as he talked to us.

I know a lovely lady who is in her late 90’s who also lives that philosophy. She has created and still turns out beautiful raku pottery, lives in an upstairs condo and remains an independent woman.  BECAUSE I CAN!

Perhaps some of you remember the artist known as “Grandma Moses” who became famous for her country scenes and earned the title of “Grandma” because she was in her eighties when she began painting. BECAUSE I CAN!

On the dark side of aging, I once knew a perfectly healthy, strong woman, who at the age of 55, proclaimed herself “old” and took to her rocking chair. She rocked away each year of her life only to become a grouchy, lonely old woman who lived to be 101, and no one wanted to be around.  I am thankful that I knew this woman – for she has been my inspiration to remain youthful in my attitudes and lifestyle and to remember that AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER that tells us how long we have had the privilege of living and hopefully serving in some useful way.

Of course, the opposite of BECAUSE I CAN, is that old worn out phrase on which we frequently lean.”  I CAN’T.”  How often do we use that phrase as an excuse to grow older in place instead of exerting just a little more energy  to do something different, new, or a bit more difficult — BECAUSE YOU CAN!?

Here are some things to try this week: An exercise class – how about the new “ConDuctorcise” class everyone is talking about with great excitement?  When was the last time you made the effort to talk to someone you didn’t know and made a new friend?  How about helping a new resident to integrate into your community?  When was the last time you went on one of the many outings that are offered?  Or tried a new craft?  As I look over the monthly calendar I see enough activities to keep a person in the “I CAN” ATTITUDE for a lifetime.

Tonight before you retire, I’d like you to think about some of the things you have been telling yourself that you can’t do.  Now take a piece of paper and write a note to yourself and leave it where you will see it the first thing in the morning.  Write down at least one new thing that you will do to start or improve the ‘I CAN ATTITUDE.”  And have fun and be proud of yourself.

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