Planning to Enhance Life Purpose During Your Advanced Years...

Life is rich when we have a purpose in our lives. Science is now proving just this, even though many wise ones have known this over past centuries. As we move into the second half of life, this means redefining so much of who we are. During our earlier years, meaning seems to be in life so naturally with our families and careers. When children are grown, careers have wound down, spouses may be gone, and we are not physically able to do the things that we used to be able to do. I’ve spent some very rich time with my 83-year-old aunt, who just recently passed away. I was struck with how deeply she longed for the days when she was able to help others, and how she wondered why she was still here. She had always been one to create fun experiences for her blind foster brother, Jack, and his good friend. Jack had been blind since birth, and his good buddy had mental challenges. They both lived in a hotel for seniors with low incomes. She would take them to their favorite hangouts for burgers and fries; go with them on excursions around the city, to her house in the foothills, or even shopping for the everyday things. This brought them such great joy. When Jack passed away, she continued to take his buddy to do things. She also would pick up her 94-year old sister to take her to her monthly reunion with her high school class. She continued to do many kindnesses for others. It was her joy in life. Then the day came when she lost her driver’s license. She lived in the foothills of Colorado where there were no bus lines, stores, or...

Leading A Simpler Life

When I was younger, there was a point where I was moving every six months, whether it was just to a new neighborhood, or across the country to a new state. Although this was sometimes stressful, it did bring something positive to the table – it kept me from accumulating a lot of things. Every time I moved I only brought the essential things I needed, the things that were most dear to my heart. Now, having been in the same place for a while, with no plans to move anytime soon, I’ve noticed that over time, my once pared down collection of items has grown substantially. As we get older, it is easy to accumulate belongings and habits that no longer serve us. It is also harder to keep track of excessive belongings, to remember what you have, and where everything is located. Simplifying your life by clearing out some of that proverbial clutter can help you be happier, think clearer and make room in your life for things that are truly important. As you enter the second half of life, don’t be weighed down by the things of your past. Allow yourself to grow from them, and let them go. The easiest way to start simplifying your life is by following these two simple steps: identifying the important things in your life, and then eliminating everything else. However many people need more guidance than just that. Here’s a more detailed list of things you can do to simplify your life: What Does Simple Look Like to You Begin by writing out what a simple life looks like to you. What makes you happy? What brings joy into your life? What causes stress in your life? What feels...