Words for Middle & Upper-Agers

LIFE'S TOO SHORT to always be working your knuckles to the bone and thinking only of the next project or required responsibility. Yes, for most of us there will always be some duties and obligations, but we need to live our lives more by the calendar rather than the stopwatch.

To be wound as tight as a drum most of the time, or putting ourselves in a pressure-cooker, is not progressive. In fact, it may be dangerous. At times, all of us need to give our bodies, minds, and spirits a break!

This can be accomplished by adjusting our thinking to include a more leisurely approach to living. Carefully consider the words below - especially if you are a middle-aged adult or beyond.

FAMILY - It is possible to find "family" where you find belonging. Perhaps this would mean at church, the office, a civic club, or the gym. But real family is of paramount importance. Find time for your spouse, kids, grand kids, and even best friends who are like family to you.

FOOD - Escape the fast-food world and find culinary delights in community eateries. Attempt to dine, and not just grab a quick bite. Always be on the lookout for new places to relax and enjoy a meal, even if they are not just around the corner.

FINANCES - Yes, we all need money. But what do we buy with it beyond the necessities? Think about the fact that we don't have to buy everything we might want. What would be the best way to spend those extra funds?

FITNESS - God made us with the ability to move and to physically interact with our world. Therefore, we need to be as active as possible. Go for a bike ride; take a walk; enroll in an exercise class; or enjoy a swim at the Y. Embrace physical fitness on a regular basis.

FLIGHT - Reduce unnecessary expenses and divert that money to travel. Getting away and changing your scenery can work wonders in rejuvenating a person's life. Planes, trains, automobiles, or ships; any form of travel will do! Most likely, it will re-charge your batteries.

FUN - Make sure to put some kind of fun in every day. Read the comics page in the newspaper; see a good movie; share funny stories with others; watch a ball game; or, visit a museum. Doing things which bring genuine joy releases those "feel good" hormones that reduce stress.

FRIVOLITY - Compensate for the necessary times of seriousness, soberness, and solemnness. Save some time for levity, lightness, and even silliness. Learn to laugh a lot! Remember, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine ..." (Proverbs 17:22a; The Holy Bible).

FAITH - This is going to the edge of all the light you can see, then taking the next step. Faith is the grip the parachutist feels when his harness tightens. It's a grip that comes from just beyond our darkness. Best of all, faith keeps us from falling when all else fails to do so.

While these eight f-words were first intended for middle and older adults, chances are they could be important for younger adults as well. Here's a suggestion: why not ponder them again - and then decide what you think.
______
-- Some ideas for this article came from Norris Burkes.