Aging Gracefully: My Neighbor
I have a wonderful neighbor whose name I don't even know, but each time our paths cross, he smiles broadly, asks how I am and I return the pleasantry. We live just two floors apart in an apartment building, but we've never been into each other's apartments, nor have we sat on the porch to just talk about nothing in particular.
From what I've seen, he's incredibly productive, goes shopping each day, cooks for himself and I've never seen him either grouchy or curt. I wish I could say the same for me. I am a grouch sometimes.
My neighbor also has an incredible talent - he repairs violins, cellos and violas. Small children go with their parents to his studio apartment where he listens thoughtfully to their playing and then offers some suggestions about the instrument or the tuning. In the warmer weather he leaves the door open so I've taken a peek or two.
I've never seen anyone approach that door with anything but a sense of reverence. It's almost as though they are approaching a very special place, a Mount Olympus on the East Coast of the United States.
He is so pleasant, so content and I would love to talk to him about his philosophy of life. When he's not repairing violins or giving small lessons, he hops on the bus to Manhattan and returns in the evening with a small bulging shopping bag. He never seems to find his osteoporosis bothersome, even though it makes him walk with his head somewhat down. His beret is always jauntily tilted on his head and he walks up the stairs rather than taking the elevator to his apartment.
What's so special about this man? He's around 80 and he never lets that get him down from my observation. There isn't a hint of dementia. If 60 is the new 40 for our President, I guess 80 is the new 35 for this man. Just goes to prove that we are only as old as we tell ourselves and that we are the ones who keep us from being active. I guess he learned that lesson eight decades ago when he was born in China long before any of us knew of Positive Psychology.
Related Topics: Aging Bonus: Increased Happiness, WebMD Video: Seniors Kick Butt with Kickboxing
Technorati Tags: age, aging, senior citizen
From what I've seen, he's incredibly productive, goes shopping each day, cooks for himself and I've never seen him either grouchy or curt. I wish I could say the same for me. I am a grouch sometimes.
My neighbor also has an incredible talent - he repairs violins, cellos and violas. Small children go with their parents to his studio apartment where he listens thoughtfully to their playing and then offers some suggestions about the instrument or the tuning. In the warmer weather he leaves the door open so I've taken a peek or two.
I've never seen anyone approach that door with anything but a sense of reverence. It's almost as though they are approaching a very special place, a Mount Olympus on the East Coast of the United States.
He is so pleasant, so content and I would love to talk to him about his philosophy of life. When he's not repairing violins or giving small lessons, he hops on the bus to Manhattan and returns in the evening with a small bulging shopping bag. He never seems to find his osteoporosis bothersome, even though it makes him walk with his head somewhat down. His beret is always jauntily tilted on his head and he walks up the stairs rather than taking the elevator to his apartment.
What's so special about this man? He's around 80 and he never lets that get him down from my observation. There isn't a hint of dementia. If 60 is the new 40 for our President, I guess 80 is the new 35 for this man. Just goes to prove that we are only as old as we tell ourselves and that we are the ones who keep us from being active. I guess he learned that lesson eight decades ago when he was born in China long before any of us knew of Positive Psychology.
Related Topics: Aging Bonus: Increased Happiness, WebMD Video: Seniors Kick Butt with Kickboxing
Technorati Tags: age, aging, senior citizen
7 Comments:
Oh, what an interesting neighbor! Please ask his name and talk to him and share his secrets! I for one would like to know the secret to contentment. It is elusive for me. I have had it but I've lost it and can't find it again.
Could it be the music itself that soothes and rejuvinates the soul? The interaction with all ages?
... and I'll bet he doesn't watch much news!!
~Tasker
That is truly a contented gentleman and he would be pleased if you approached him and talked to him.
I am in that age bracket and feel sure his music is one of the main reasons for his longevity.
We age according to our lifestyles and genetics but envy the man with a peaceful mind and a gentle way of living. GS
Learning to accept the changes in our bodies and adapting to that change without bitterness and remorse is the key to contentment.
You said he takes the bus into town. He knows he shouldn't drive anymore and has accepted that. He listens to others play, rather than regretting he can't play like he did awhile ago. He is CONTENT to watch others and help them with his wisdom and knowledge. I have seen first hand, older adults wasteing what precious energy they have on regrets and living in the past. Saying those familiar remarks we have heard throughout our lives. Such as "If I knew then what I know now"
"If I had your body I could do so many things." The greatest gift we can give our children as we age, is to adapt to the changes that come with aging. Realzing our youth is not eternal will make us seem so content.
What a wonderful elderly gentleman! Wouldn't you just love to bring with you maybe a copy of your book BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST and ask for HIS comments on his life like you can solve or give us solutions about so many of our anxiety and stressors? (Yes! I just bought your book BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST and am really looking forward to reading it!) This elderly man seems to me like a guru of his own with whom we could learn a lot of wisdom from!
He is a very special person. Unfortunately, I haven't run into him lately, but I will ask his name. I'd love to take my video camera and record his work on the violins. It's a piece of history that should be captured for everyone to see. I don't know if he'll agree, but I may ask.
fsI understand this man very well. Our greatest curse is our affluency.It has created a nation of "gimmee", "me first" people.This gentleman knows the peace and tranquility of the simple things he loves--these fulfill all his needs.I would bet he doesn't drink or smoke.My mother lived to 93 and was never in a hospital in her life, no surgeries, no broken bones, no illnesses of any kind except an occasional cold.Her secret? Clean air and water;healthy diet of fruit, vegies,lean meat,etc; no alcohol or tobacco;hard work,always active, sufficient sleep;and most important of all a deep faith that you are in God's hands so why worry about anything--she had almost zero stress in her life. She believed that 95 per cent of things you worry about never happen or are not as bad as you thought--I have found this to be true.Incidentally,I am 88 years old and recently put a roof over my patio and dug up 2-6 ft. shrubs.I drive at night--my night vision and reflexes are excellent.Don't talk to me about genes--you can inherit good ones and blow it by abusing your body and there are too many sickly people who had healthy long-lived parents.Forget material things and enjoy the natural things that enhance your soul.Love, Alexander Turner, California.
6:45 AM(EST)
The old phrase "Time waits for no one" is as true as it gets. It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgement. Each of us has a "Start and a Finish" - everything in between is made up of Choices: Life or Death - we are advised to choose Life...So that even after death, there is hope for Life eternal. I beleive your neighbor has made some "Right Choices" throughout his life and his lifestyle stems from those choices. Now, he has been granted grace with contentment which is such great gain.
"Ms. Shirley"
Charlotte, NC
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