Habits For Aging

     Aging is an inevitable part of life regardless how long you have to live.  In my senior years I have pause to ponder what my behaviors will be to bring happiness and contentment to my days.    Habits of doing and being seem to be two branches of behavior to consider. 

    Each day needs some meaningful physical, mental and social activity.  Waking with a plan for the day is helpful  to set the stage for rewarding activity.   However spice is added to life when one can also adopt to a changing landscape.  Today for me was a day of adapting to changing conditions.  I fully expected to spend at least a few hours on the ski slopes even the weather forecast was iffy with high temperatures and rain later.  Upon arriving at my ski area it was clear the conditions were too treacherous for this geezer.  A friend I met in the locker room was just returning from a single run to describe ice patches and variability in the surface so unpredictable that she was leaving.   Thus my day suddenly changed.  Rather than being discontented by the change, I welcomed the opportunity to use some creative energy to write this blog.

    Mental stimulation is always satisfying.  As long as one maintains basic mental facilities there are millions of unread books to pursue.  If one likes puzzles there is an abundance of options.   Perhaps one can carry the puzzle thing too far!  (According to my wife).   My personal addiction of crossword puzzles is almost an obsession.  Wordle has entered our home with my wife embracing this new fad.  I get to assist on occasion.  

    One of the greatest satisfactions in old age can be more time to give back.  I am fully convinced a vigorous personal volunteer program is one the most healthy aspects of successful aging.   Along with the satisfaction of helping out comes a social network so vital to combating isolation and getting stimulation.

    I am sure there are millions of therapists who have a myriad of suggestions for successful aging.  These are but a few of my thoughts for what it is worth.   May all your days spin out as a great adventure of living a satisfying life both for you and those around.  Find your habits for embracing aging as just another adventure!

A Reset Day

    It has been a great week of skiing at my home mountain Greek Peak.  Several bluebird days followed by a big dump of snow to refresh the whole area.  Normally I would be racing out this morning to sample more of the overnight powder.  However, in the interests of preserving this old body I am making this a rest and reset day.  Five straight days of skiing has depleted my energy reserves and now is the time to have a bit of rest and relaxation.   Recharge is the order for the day.  Perhaps there is some more incentive to stay home this weekend in view of the large crowds showing up.   Weekends are much more chaotic.  Even this Friday was a zoo with the schools being closed.   Another factor in avoiding the weekend also centers on my anxiety of a crash with a snowboarder.  Geezer skiers are more vulnerable to the more aggressive boarders and skiers that a more likely to show up on weekends.  An incident yesterday underlines my anxiety when even waiting in the lift line I was nearly struck by a boarder zipping through the line.  

    So back to the reset day!  Even though I am on recharge, it doesn't mean I sit all the day.  Per my normal non skiing regimen I was on the exercise bike for nearly an hour.  Also both my driveway and my neighbors needed clearing of the recent snowfall with my snowblower.   It was a busy two hours.  As I write this my coffee is cooling and I look forward to some leisure time doing my crossword puzzles and reading a couple of books that I am partially into.  Best wishes to the younger crowd for a great weekend.  Monday is coming!   The morning geezer skier crowd will be first chair people raring to go each morning of the week.  Then ski area is our private playground for a while!