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A discussion for people over 60: Let's focus on what we can do

Posted by nanette2022 @nanette2022, Feb 18, 2022

Is is possible to start a new discussion for over 60?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Profile picture for Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @nanette2022 "OK, we have some things in common: I walk a lot, 6-8 miles, I do watercolors,..." + (show)
Profile picture for nanette2022 @nanette2022

OK, we have some things in common: I walk a lot, 6-8 miles, I do watercolors, I sew, reading annoys me because in my arrogance I always argue with the writer, I do not know how to change that.

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@nanette2022, I was attracted to this discussion by the over 60 in the title! Oh Yes, I'm over 60, so I began to read. I want you to know that you have made me laugh when I picture you arguing with the writer! Can you believe that I argue with the sewing needle because it's eye is just to small for me to see! I am doing some work with seed beads, and my eyes just don't cooperate like they used to, so I take it out on the needle.

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theai | @theai | Feb 19, 2022

what would you like the group's focus to be about?

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athenalee | @athenalee | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Nannette, of course you’re not the only person over 60 who is feeling the loss of..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

Nannette, of course you’re not the only person over 60 who is feeling the loss of what we were able to do in our 20s and every decade forward. But the ability to change and adapt is a gift we’re given.
Accept, adapt and move on, has been a motto of mine since my mid-30s. I’m now 68, been through a battle with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant almost 3 years ago. I’ve lost most of my family members and a couple of really close friends. Covid has messed up the ability to physically interact with people but I stay connected and active.

My life has changed but I embrace every single day. I mourned for maybe 10 minutes over some of the things I can no longer do. I don’t dwell on the past or what I can’t do. I focus on what I can do and want to do! Then make it happen.

Heck, I was a gymnast, but at 68 I don’t lament that fact that I can’t do the iron cross on the free rings anymore or that I can’t flip effortlessly on the parallel bars, no backflips or cartwheels…unless it’s on the winter ice! 😅

But what I can do is walk 8 miles a day, or grab my paints or read or sew, or ride my bike. I have no limits. I don’t rely on others for my happiness. The only two things over which we have any control are our attitude and our effort.

Sometimes our fear of failure is what holds us back. What is it that you want to start but can’t?

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Your effervescent bubblingness is always a source of inspiration and respect, Lori! 😁

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nanette2022 | @nanette2022 | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @rosemarya "@nanette2022, I was attracted to this discussion by the over 60 in the title! Oh Yes,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya

@nanette2022, I was attracted to this discussion by the over 60 in the title! Oh Yes, I'm over 60, so I began to read. I want you to know that you have made me laugh when I picture you arguing with the writer! Can you believe that I argue with the sewing needle because it's eye is just to small for me to see! I am doing some work with seed beads, and my eyes just don't cooperate like they used to, so I take it out on the needle.

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You made me laugh too, and we both need this apparently and God found a new way to make it so: you with the eye of the needle and me with the stupid writer whom is not aware that I will be evaluating his book!

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @athenalee "Your effervescent bubblingness is always a source of inspiration and respect, Lori! 😁" + (show)
Profile picture for athenalee @athenalee

Your effervescent bubblingness is always a source of inspiration and respect, Lori! 😁

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LOL thank you…it’s either a gift or curse. 😂

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athenalee | @athenalee | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "LOL thank you…it’s either a gift or curse. 😂" + (show)
Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

LOL thank you…it’s either a gift or curse. 😂

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Certainly a blessing for the world!

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mar1419 | @mar1419 | Feb 19, 2022

Yes,iagree.it seem to be very interesting

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @nanette2022 "You made me laugh too, and we both need this apparently and God found a new..." + (show)
Profile picture for nanette2022 @nanette2022

You made me laugh too, and we both need this apparently and God found a new way to make it so: you with the eye of the needle and me with the stupid writer whom is not aware that I will be evaluating his book!

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@nanette2022 @rosemarya Me, three! Danged sewing needle eyes! I sometimes need to use the standalone magnifying glass used for my artwork, to thread those needles. And why is the light just "never right" for the sewing, now? And you're going to get me started on arguing with the authors! Why can't I spend longer periods of time being outside and hauling rocks, or chopiing wood, or pulling weeds before my body is complaining [loudly, I might add!] Oh, and my skin -when did it start looking like THAT!!?? Is this why my eyes going bad are a blessing?
Ginger

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bonespo | @bonespo | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Nannette, of course you’re not the only person over 60 who is feeling the loss of..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

Nannette, of course you’re not the only person over 60 who is feeling the loss of what we were able to do in our 20s and every decade forward. But the ability to change and adapt is a gift we’re given.
Accept, adapt and move on, has been a motto of mine since my mid-30s. I’m now 68, been through a battle with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant almost 3 years ago. I’ve lost most of my family members and a couple of really close friends. Covid has messed up the ability to physically interact with people but I stay connected and active.

My life has changed but I embrace every single day. I mourned for maybe 10 minutes over some of the things I can no longer do. I don’t dwell on the past or what I can’t do. I focus on what I can do and want to do! Then make it happen.

Heck, I was a gymnast, but at 68 I don’t lament that fact that I can’t do the iron cross on the free rings anymore or that I can’t flip effortlessly on the parallel bars, no backflips or cartwheels…unless it’s on the winter ice! 😅

But what I can do is walk 8 miles a day, or grab my paints or read or sew, or ride my bike. I have no limits. I don’t rely on others for my happiness. The only two things over which we have any control are our attitude and our effort.

Sometimes our fear of failure is what holds us back. What is it that you want to start but can’t?

Jump to this post

Wonderful. Lori - Your story inspires me. I like this message
board. I’m 75 this year and appreciate the reading suggestions and personal stories. Thank you all.

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alive | @alive | Feb 20, 2022

So, I am not quite 60. I will be 57 next month, to be exact. As someone who had leukemia 6 years ago, I feel like I am 60 or older. Anyway, here is a quote that helps guide me in life, even though I have a number of limitations. “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” I take it to heart a push myself to have a full and meaningful life.

I do have a sister who is 61. She is inspiring me to make a difference in other people’s lives. She is in the process of organizing a group of volunteers in the Bay Area to adopt an Afghan refugee family who is living in one hotel room since they fled Afghanistan last September. All eight members of the family are in one room and the mom is due to give birth next month. My sister is hoping that her group will find them housing and work, provide them with donated furniture and other things they need. My sister said there are over 100 such families waiting for someone to help them get settled in her part of CA. There is so much we can do for others even as we age and deal with health issues!

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