Throughout history, practically every culture revered its elderly members. These were people whom the entire community cherished and respected for their deep knowledge and wisdom about life.
Even today, we can still learn important lessons from people who have “been there, done that.” Here’s how:
Don’t Take Life Too Seriously
We live in a culture that takes life desperately seriously. Everyone is worrying all the time about their status, whether they will go to heaven, and whether they are fulfilling their potential.
For wise older people, though, the question is different. They come to realize that life is not a journey with a destination. It’s just a big flow and that taking it too seriously actually harms the experience. Much better to dance along.
Laughter Can See You Through
When life gets you down, you can sometimes forget to laugh. Everything just seems so hard that you put all your energy into succeeding instead of enjoying the process.
Laughter, however, can be great medicine. It’s a way of celebrating the good times and getting through the bad times. Older people have a fascinating ability to laugh in the face of adversity, proving that a little humor can go a long way.
Focus On What’s Important
Time is limited, especially if you’re in the latter years of life. For that reason, where you focus matters a great deal. You want to concentrate on the things that really matter to you and not focus on what everyone else thinks. After all, it’s your life. Nobody else can live it.
Family Is Critical
If you ask knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyers about the biggest threats to seniors, they’ll tell you that it’s their carers. That’s why many older people believe family is critical. As you go through life, you always need people around you who you can trust. If you don’t have that, you’ll automatically put yourself in a vulnerable position. Family members support you unconditionally, even when times get tough.
Learn That Some Things Just Don’t Matter
Think about all the tiny things that cause you concern during a regular day. Somebody might make a critical remark or you might be worrying about what your landlord is going to think about the state of your flat.
But wise older people generally have more perspective. They know what’s important to health and happiness, and what’s not. So they focus on that instead.
Critically, the most successful older people don’t bear grudges or hold onto bitterness. They let it go, choosing to move on with their lives instead.
Spend Time On Joyful Activities
Think about how much time you spend watching TV or working in a job you dislike. A lot of your life goes to waste.
But wise elders try to focus on the essence of life – the stuff that really matters.
For you, that could be things like spending time with kids or focusing on artistic projects. Or it could mean going deeper spiritually and letting go of the material world.
