David AmmonsDavid Ammons is president of Retirement Living Associates, Inc. (RLA), a company which provides planning, development, marketing, and management services for new and existing retirement communities. He has worked in and with Senior Living Communities since his graduation from Wake Forest University in 1985.
In this issue, David Ammons has invited Paige Armstrong, a Life Enrichment Coach, to write a column on staying young in mind, body, and spirit.
It was the perfect fall night for an outdoor venue. The breeze on your skin was refreshing, and the setting sun was a brilliant orange-red. Onlookers danced to the music of Johnny Cash. I was enjoying the vibrant crowd when I spotted a “young” (84 years young) man, whom I will call Bill, leaning against a lamp post to support his aging body.
Bill had “young” energy! This is not to be confused with immaturity or inexperience. No, Bill had more life experience and acumen than most men these days. I struck up a conversation with Bill and from that moment on magic… yes, magic… was in the air!
Bill shared parts of his life story with me. He disclosed how he became head of household at age 12 while his father went off to fight in World War II. He doted on his children and grandchildren. He spoke lovingly of his deceased wife, and reminisced about the early years of their marriage when they would swing dance at the community town hall.
It didn’t take long before Bill asked me to dance, and although I am 40 years his junior, he had me twirling on the black pavement. Bill exuded a “young spirit” that captivated the audience. Many people approached Bill and expressed the joy they had witnessed and wanted to know his secret to his “fountain of youth”.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Life Coach, I am privileged to witness intimate life stories from people of all ages. Although, Bill is not a client, he demonstrates the Top 5 key strategies for preparing for and coping with age:
Count your blessings, not your losses
As we age, we experience losses. Loss of friends, youth, career, and health are the tip of the iceberg. By staying focused on the things one is grateful for (even in grief), you can feel a shift towards the positive in your internal state and outward world view.
Practice staying young
• Mind – Keep your mind engaged in learning. Practice something new every day. This keeps the brain waves connecting.
• Body – Stay active. Take a walk, dance, or swim. It doesn’t have to be far or fast. Just move!
• Spirit – Your body may tell you it’s aging. Your mind may even agree. The spirit is full of life. The spirit does not know age. The spirit knows love, hope, and joy.
Expand your support system
As we age, we lose friends. By cultivating friendships that vary in age, interest, and ability, we create the opportunity to learn new activities, lean on others for support, and maintain your current interests. Try new people, places, and things.
Accept and adjust
Accept that your body won’t be able to do all it once did, and adjust to what it can do now. It is normal to grieve. Do not stay stuck there! Professional support can help.
Let go and live in the present
Let go of could’ve, would’ve, should’ve! Be present to your life here and now. There is a lot of life to live!
L. Paige Armstrong, MSW, LCSW, partners with high achievers on their journey from self-discovery to life enrichment. She has over 15 years of international and national experience in providing coaching and therapy to individuals and couples who desire healthy, functional, and fulfilling relationshps. She specializes in transitioning your relationships with self, others, money and/or recovery transforming from “surviving to thriving”. She is in private practice in Raleigh. (www.LifeEnrichmentNC.com).