Smart Senior

What are you doing on Valentine’s Day? It’s a day, a whole month for that matter, that focuses on love. Not a bad idea actually, but it needs to go beyond chocolates, flowers, candles, and date nights.
Love is a bigger than that; a multifaceted enigma that starts and ends with you. Factor self-love and self-care into the picture. Remind yourselves that you don’t need to rely on others for self-affirmation.
That’s a lot of “selves,” but the buck starts and stops with you. Yes, it’s a big task, and no one knows that better a senior. Older people really have “been there, done that, and seen it all,” but you are not alone if you still need to be reminded that you are worthy of love.
Many seniors, maybe all of them, are still “old school.” We were brought up to believe that we were never quite good enough. After all these years we still hear those exact words rattling around in our heads; they have made us our own worst enemies.
If you think, really think, that you aren’t rich enough, smart enough, thin enough, pretty/handsome enough, or funny enough to be accepted on your own merits, you will remain on that downward spiral.
We can all do better than that. Stop looking at social media or ridiculous magazine articles for self-affirmation. Look inward; pray, meditate or read self-help books. Learn how to appreciate who and what you are.
Not sure where to start? Give yourself a pat on the pack. Think positive thoughts. Improve, to the best of your ability, what you can, and learn how to love and accept what you can’t.
Take loving care of yourself and move on. Spend Valentine’s Day thinking of ways to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. It isn’t too late.
You don’t have to score the winning touchdown or become a CEO to be a good neighbor, a good citizen, or a good grandparent. Love yourself first and the rest will follow.