How do you view advancing age?
There are many different ways that people choose to look upon old age coming to visit them. Consider some of the following options that very mature people anticipate and accept as inevitable.
One thought is, “that is just the way it is, and I cannot do anything about it.” That is like giving up – don’t do it. Another way people treat advancing age is, self-pity and depression take over – don’t do it. Another way people handle it is to lock themselves away and do not communicate with the rest of the world – don’t do it. Some go to the extreme of contemplating taking their own life – don’t do it.
My take on old age is I am just like a very valuable antique automobile. The older that I become makes it more difficult to keep the body and mind in top running order. If a knee goes bad and you may need it replaced, think of it as needing mounting and balancing a new wheel and tire. If the eyes start to fail, think of it as replacing a burned-out headlight. If the heart starts to fail, view it as an opportunity to adjust the car’s computer. An antique Cadillac deserves all the attention and respect as the one that just rolled off of the assembly line. You have to believe that you are as valuable and necessary as you always were. If you no longer believe in yourself, why should others believe in you? We are all valuable to family and friends no matter what our age. There may well be another 80-year-old lady that lives next door who needs and values your conversation.
There will always be a car dealership or auto body shop around that is willing to invest their time and energy to repair the ailing part. So I say this to you – don’t give up on that dented fender or cracked windshield. It is often quite true that a well maintained antique Cadillac is worth more now than when it was new.
So I say this to you, as long as you are willing to keep your motor running, there will always be a body shop that is ready to replace your parts. The good “Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise,” you are always one “tune up” away.
Submitted by Mike Steffer