Elders in the Community

ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY – AN INTRODUCTION

2/10/2022

Our elder years can be a time to reflect on our life and appreciate the wisdom we have gained through our life experiences. We all have a unique and valuable contribution to make and we can share this with others by remaining actively engaged in life until our last breath and living every day with purpose, being open to new learning, new experiences and new beginnings. The articles on this page are by elders who have found benefit from remaining actively involved in the community instead of retiring from life.

BREAKING THE MOULD

1/10/2022

After watching my grandparents and parents as they aged, I have had many pictures about growing old. I used to expect that I would become infirm or would be in pain as I got older. I had an incident of lower back pain and sciatica a few years ago and it was very challenging. And of course, there may be other episodes of illness and disease to come as my ageing body loses its strength or suppleness but I have realised I don’t need to have any fixed ideas.

71 AND STILL GOING STRONG

1/8/2022

I often meet people who are talking about retiring, and I’m always curious as to what they will do with their time. Many plan to go travelling and others volunteer in their local community or take on family caring roles. I have no intention to retire. I’ve worked my entire life since I was age 15, starting as a Saturday girl in Woolworths in the UK, and have worked continuously ever since.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAERIES?

30/6/2021

I have been visiting the local primary school for many years supporting the teachers of six-and seven-year-olds in Year 2 by listening to the children read and being another presence in the room to answer questions. Part of the curriculum is for the children to discover how the area where they live may have changed over the years and, as I have lived in the village for more than 40 years, I am invited to share the changes I have observed.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESENCE

28/2/2021

This past year has been a time of adapting to change and expanding my capability in what can be achieved at short notice and with little preparation. What I learned through this was the importance of ‘presence’ – the quality I bring to my work. What I appreciate even more, is that at the age of 74 as I draw closer to the end of my professional working life, there has been more for me to learn about myself as I step up to meet the continuous changes that are required.

The Joy of Being Engaged

31/1/2021

The Joy of Ageing Esoterically team meet weekly on zoom throughout the year to bring new videos, audios and articles to the website. It is always a full agenda for each meeting with little time to chat socially about what is going on in our lives. Regardless of not spending time talking about our personal lives, we appreciate that we know each other intimately because of our shared Way of Living.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF AGEING

30/11/2020

A friend and I were talking recently about ageing because I have had a ‘big’ birthday and have now entered the ‘vulnerable’ age in society . . . three score years and ten.

In the UK, you need a new driving licence at this age and can no longer drive vans. The places where I volunteer are questioning my ability to continue working there because of my age.

UN-RETIRING

30/11/2020

I have always had a job and enjoyed working, usually in self-employment or in a position with flexible hours. I never was one to try and fit into a job unless I knew I could put my heart in it, meaning I would give it my all and stay light and easy within it. I enjoyed having a purpose in the day and worked hard to get through the ‘To Do’ list.

NEVER TOO OLD

30/11/2020

Gerry and I often talked about what we would do if we decided to move out of our home in Far North Queensland – and where would we go? We went through many scenarios. Would we buy a one level house in the area or would we move from Cairns to a completely new area? Were we too old to move house?

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE UNSTOPPABLE INGRID

1/7/2020

Ingrid Langenbruch has been a member of the Joy of Ageing Esoterically team since its inception. This past year we have all watched Ingrid go from strength to strength no matter what is going on with her physical health. One day she showed up in her ‘unstoppable’ sweater. When we finished laughing, we all agreed that her story needed to be shared with our readers. Bernadette, another of our team members, interviewed Ingrid.

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Photos copyright © by the photographers: Alan Johnston, Clayton Lloyd, Dean Whitling, Desiree Delaloye, Iris Pohl, Steffi Henn, Steve Leca ,
Shannon Everest, Matt Paul, Gayle Cue