We often forget about the gifts we received over the years—well, maybe not the big sparkly ones or even the life-changing ones. I’m talking the gifts you receive and use everyday, but never see or touch.
These gifts aren’t wrapped in pretty paper or tied with a sparkly bow. They are the unrecognized, seldom acknowledged gifts you’ve given yourself over time and now you get to unwrap them. These are the Gifts of Aging!
You don’t need to go to the mall or shop online to buy them. You’ve had them all along. Here are a few:
The Gift of Knowledge. The information you need now you get from your Lessons Learned. These lessons help you navigate your life and avoid what doesn’t align with it or doesn’t help you grow.
The Gift of Time. The time you now have to give back to yourself and your community. It’s time you have to fulfill your purpose and feed your passions. It’s time you’ve earned to live life by your own rules and you’re not going to waste it.
The Gift of Freedom. The freedom to pursue your dreams and discover who you are. Now’s the time to “do you!”
The Gift of Realization. The realization that you don’t need a lot of outside influences to be happy. It’s all within. Your happiness is a product of your self-awareness and self-acceptance. Now you know who you are, and you are content—and contentment is where happiness lives.
The Gift of Connection and Reconnection. The opportunity to reconnect or simply connect with family and friends is welcome and nurtured and takes on a different perspective and approach because you have the time and the wisdom to listen and engage.
The Gift of Gratitude. Gratitude is the opportunity to show someone, or even yourself, appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude. Gratitude letters are an amazing gift to give because it lets those you love know how thankful you are to have them in your life.
These are the Gifts of Aging! Merry Christmas!
Pat Landaker is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of Living La Vida Senior, Ageless Aging and CSA Senior Solutions. She serves on the ASA’s Innovation and Social Impact Council, the CSA’s Certification Council, the City of Henderson’s Senior Citizens Advisory Commission and she teaches Positive Aging at UNLV/OLLI. Email her at contact@livinglavidasenior.com.