Thanks @peach414144! That's wonderful you are 80, I'm 64. Some things that really help me is writing, especially poetry. Most of my poems have been written when I'm having down times and it helps me to start feeling better, remembering I have so much to be thankful for. Also, I color. Sometimes in adult coloring books, (they're not what you might think if not familiar with them), other times I draw with the colors or color pencils & draw/color my feelings and label them. I usually take my "homework" to my therapy appointments and share them with my psychologist. She has been extremely helpful in guiding me in ways to deal with my feelings when they come up, that I make my own homework usually.
What kind of animals do you have? I rescued a dog a year ago, but I think she actually rescued me. She is a lot of company and comfort, I don't know what I would do without her now. You take care too and have a good evening!

hi there, i did much coloring when hiding in the closet, hiding from being beaten. now, i at times still do color in children's coloring books, or sketch and color. for many years i have "saved" older cats and dogs. not many people seem to want them. and especially now, i do not want them to outlive me. at the moment i have an 11 year old chihuwawa, a 13 year old 70 lb. heinz variety and 2 old cats. no more until i go to "rainbow bridge" to pick up my friends on the way to heaven. i say this with a smile. you are right. the animals are here to save us. there are so many ways to keep busy even if it is just to dance to the music when washing the dishes or look out the window to see the flowers, the wind rocking the trees, a bird a butterfly. all the miracles to be appreciated. listen to the radio talk shows. especially at night when you cant sleep. and on and on. if you can still dance, go to a dance even if you go alone. so what. enjoy.. even just take a walk and watch everything. good talking. next time. barbpeach

@peach414144

I'm not sure I'll make it to 80. But then, none of us are assured of tomorrow. I appreciate your input.

Jim

@magspierce, my dogs have been a lifeline to me, as well. We heard about a newborn runt of the litter who was the last pup left because people didn't select him until I showed up the day before he was going to be put down. He died February of '16. He was an accidental Aussie/Border Collie mix, and was loved for 9 years. I trained him to be my service dog, and losing him to a possible stroke was really, really difficult. I planted a garden bed over his grave. I still grieve. A month after Barnabas (which means son of encouragement in the Bible) died, my wife and I stopped by the local humane society shelter and met my new service dog, Sadie. She means a lot to me, even more than our other pet dog, in a different way, and she's always with me. It's amazing how much therapy an animal can provide.

Jim