If there’s one group of people that I feel nothing but love for it’s the elderly. I think they’re adorable in every sense of the word. What’s more, I think we could all learn a great deal from them – their experiences and their wisdom. If you are blessed enough to have parents and grandparents living who would be considered the “older” generation, I’ve got some of the best Self Help advice you’ll ever hear (and remarkably, it goes hand in loving hand with the guest article I posted earlier today!): Pull out all the wonderful information, stories, recipes (!!!), remembrances, and living history from your family members that your brain and heart can hold.
The beautiful thing is, you won’t have to pull hard. Parents, grandparents, older neighbors, co-workers, aunts, uncles, and friends love to talk and visit – we just often get so busy that we don’t take time to listen. This arrangement makes everyone a loser. You’ll make their day if you start visiting with them and listening to them regularly and, mark it down, you’ll be a better person for it.
I want to tell you about something today that’s truly beautiful. Something that I hope you’ll take advantage of – not just for the good that you’ll give, but for the good you’ll receive. As I told a friend through e-mail recently – there are certain things I believe in with all of my heart and soul: God’s love, the goodness of coffee and chocolate, the peacefulness of a cat on your lap, and the miracle of a child’s laughter. I told him that I believed in something else just as much: Karma. I believe know that we get out of life no more than we put into it. If we expect amazing things to happen to us, guess what: We have to be worthy! Here’s a test for you to try: Think of about 5 people. Think of the ones who seem, more often than not, to just have it made – they have a good life, they’re happy, and even when things go wrong – they seem to just kind of laugh through it. Then think of the ones who never seem to catch a break – things seem to work against them more than for them and they seem to almost always be on the brink of a crisis of some sort. Now think about the karma they’re generating with their lives. More times than not, the first group generally loves people and would do anything for anyone, within their power – and sometimes outside of their power. People, animals, birds, the earth – the first group genuinely just wants to make the world a better place for everyone. The second group? Well, they’re the Me, Myself, and I crowd.
And they pay dearly for it.
If you suspect that your karma needs a make over, below is your chance! If your karma is already sweet… here’s a golden opportunity to sweeten it even further. Coffee can never be too bold and karma can never be too sweet… that’s kind of Life 101 in my book.
Either way, I’d love for you to visit Seniors For Living and learn more about Random Acts of Kindness Week. They’re heading up an outstanding movement to generate random acts of kindness for seniors. How beautiful is that?!?! Read their suggestions and jump in with both feet and a full heart.
My own personal suggestion? Nothing matters as much as your time. No one is so busy or so important that they can’t take at least an hour out of their day to visit with the people who need it the most and will appreciate it the deepest. Before my grandmother got Alzheimer’s, she absolutely cherished our visits more than anything. When my girls and I would go by to sit and talk with her, she would talk about it for days! She’d say things like, “I told Juanita (amongst her other partners in crime!) that my girls came by today and we had a lovely visit…” I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences. They’re faces light up and their lives light up.
Now doesn’t that sound like something you’d like to see more of?
Random acts of kindness week is February 15-21. Like most things, this kindness should start at home, then spread outward. Read more at random acts of kindness for seniors.
Oh Joi, this post made me tear up. I have to confess I wasn’t very close to my folks when my dad was alive, because he was very short-tempered and most times our visits would flare up into arguments. And it didn’t help that very often my mom would be unjustly blamed and really it wasn’t congenial at all.
Since my dad passed away more than two years ago, things have been somewhat better. I realized that Mom needed someone to talk to, and considering that my brother lives in Australia and she doesn’t know how to use a computer, it has made life difficult for her.
I have resolved to visit her and take her out for lunch more often. Only last week I took her out for a “date.” We had a nice lunch and went to see Avatar together. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and I had a nice feeling welling up inside me. Random acts of kindness don’t cost much and what’s more they give so much pleasure to both the giver and the receiver. Thanks, Joi!
.-= Philip´s last blog ..Dream a little dream of me =-.
Whoops, sorry I just had to add this in…I can’t help telling you that SHD has been such a great help to me in my daily life…you are a wonderful soul, Joi. God bless you and your family richly!
.-= Philip´s last blog ..Dream a little dream of me =-.
Thanks for the kind words on seniors Joi. It would be a pleaser to have you as a granddaughter, although I am doing quite well in that department. I meet some nice older (80-100) seniors in my travels around town that make a point to catch my eye so as to exchange smiles. I imagine many years of the good life with nice friends and family.
I was picking up a small bouquet of flowers at the supermarket about 8:30am one day a while back . As I walked to the store entrance a very old gent about 100 came out slowly. He was in sports coat and tie and carrying a small bouquet of flowers. The picture stuck in my mind. I wondered if he was heading for some happy or sad moments. Either way, lots of pleasant memories, I’m certain.
Happy Valentines day.
.-= Grampa Ken for social change´s last blog ..Plan for Your Daily Happiness =-.
Ken,
Thank you for the very kind words – they warm up my sub-zero degree, snowy day!
In my often overly-imaginative little mind, I’m going to imagine that the well-dressed gentleman with the flowers was headed home to his bride of 70 years with a little token of his love and affection!
Philip,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart – you are such a kind spirit and you always, always make me smile.
Some family relations are strained, and unfortunately it’s usually because of some hot head! Your mom was, no doubt, in a precarious position for those years – bless her heart, I can only imagine the turmoil she went through wishing her hubby would just calm down and get along with her boys better. Dads can come across as so grumpy sometimes – but all they really want is what’s best for their children.
I LOVE that you took your mom out to eat and to see Avatar! That is so cool! I loved that movie like crazy, myself.
I lost my mom in 2006 – she died suddenly and unexpectedly (and way too young) after a kidney infection. I love to hear about people taking their moms out to eat, to the movies, and just spending time with them. You sound like a wonderful son and you and your mom are lucky to have one another! – Joi
I think this is a good idea. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to spend much time with my grandparents from either side, but I get to speak with my friends’ grandparents and they really are filled with memorable stories from their day. Being kind to them is no hard work. It’s actually touching when they remember you and feel that they trust you enough to share stories with you. I hope I get to be as patient with my parents when they’re older, and spend more amazing days with them.
P.S. See http://budurl.com/367k to find out how to bring out the best in people, even grandparents.