Aging with Grace

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The Strengths of Aging and Where to Go for Health Help from those Who Care about You!

Frank Jordan encourages those encountering the difficulties and challenges of Aging,

“Jesus…said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Put your faith and hope in the hands of H I M today!

Apply the five truths below and realize your strengths truly do put old on hold.

Your mind is not old or tired – keep developing it.
Your sense of humor is not gone – keep enjoying it with others.
Your strength may be lessened, but it is not absent – keep using it with purpose.
Your opportunities have not vanished – keep pursuing them.
Your God is not dead – keep seeking HIM and His wisdom!

Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Gives His Thoughts on Aging and Getting Past Feeling “It’s Too Late”

Often as we age many feel they are useless with no further purpose or contributions to make to family, the community or self. If you feel this way you are wrong! Age is not a disease!

You are what you want to be and these words from the famous poet beautifully tells of new opportunities, no matter how many summers and winters have contributed to the depth and wisdom of our lives:

“It is too late!” Ah nothing is too late —
Cato learned Greek at eighty; …
Chaucer, at Woodstock, with his nightingales, At 60 wrote the “Canterbury Tales.”
Goethe, at Weimer, toiling to the last, Completed “Faust” when eighty years were past.
What then? Shall we sit idly down and say, “The night has come; it is no longer day?”
For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress.
And as the evening twilight fades away,
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Be positive and recognize the benefits of age as told in Psalms 92:12-15: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree [known for long life], they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon [120′ high-30′ circumference]; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruits in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Stars become visible only as we become seasoned citizens! You are not alone in your journey and there are people who truly care about you as an individual and child of God. Go to HIM and learn how you can make your own stars shine bright in helping and inspiring others!

Care-Givers Have Excess Stress and a Confined World – But there are Spiritual and Natural Aids to a Successful Relationship in Caring

More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year. Caregiving is no longer predominantly a women’s issue as men now make up 44% of the care-giving population. The average length of time spent on care-giving is about eight years, although only 46% of caregivers thought care-giving would exceed a two year period. To emphasize the changes in our society, the average person today has more living parents than children and most women spend 17 years caring for children and 18 years helping an elderly parent!

Frank Jordan on behalf of H I M has suggestions for Care-Givers taking care of parents, or others, with dementia or Alzheimer’s or other chronic diseases relating to what they can do for personal stress minimization. The constancy, lack of personal time, sometimes abusive responses and guilt associated with the care almost always lead to excess stress in the Care-Giver.

Focus on positive events from the past to get past difficult moments in the present.
Avoid arguments that only you will remember – it is better to agree and then do what is proper.
Walk and deep breathe, even if for only a few minutes or have a picnic and enjoy nature for a brief interlude.
Take a multiple vitamin heavy on the B’s for natural supplementation to promote stress management.
Watch DVD or taped comedies or sitcoms that make you laugh as laughter is a great stress reliever.
Avoid self guilt for at times not liking your loved ones, because at times they are almost certainly not likable! If they are really bad, leave the room and premises! See the first three suggestions above.
Remember to love always because the time together is short (You can love even when you don’t like!).
Utilize stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation and/or prayer.
Make and take time for yourself when you can be spelled by friends, family or professional assistance. Stress can make you sick, so take care of your own needs too.

Unfortunately, there often comes a time when a professional care giver or facility becomes a necessity. This is one of the most difficult decisions a family must make, but you are not alone. Seek professional counseling if you are confused or need guidance and go to H I M in prayer. Treat your loved one as you would want to be treated – we almost all will be there at some point in life!

When you feel overwhelmed from care-giving or even just from the cumulative negatives of aging, remember the advice from the Bible,

“So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those that follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong.” Hebrews 12:12

“Hymn of Promise” or “In the Bulb there is a Flower”

by Natalie Sleeth, 1986 – Hope Publishing Company

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

In co-coons, a hidden promise: butter-flies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

As we both age and take care of those aging, remember to keep your eyes on heaven and your love showing for those you love and those who love you.

Aging with Grace

The Strengths of Aging and Where to Go for Health Help from those Who Care about You!

Frank Jordan encourages those encountering the difficulties and challenges of Aging,

“Jesus…said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Put your faith and hope in the hands of H I M today!

Apply the five truths below and realize your strengths truly do put old on hold.

Your mind is not old or tired – keep developing it.

Your sense of humor is not gone – keep enjoying it with others.

Your strength may be lessened, but it is not absent – keep using it with purpose.

Your opportunities have not vanished – keep pursuing them.

Your God is not dead – keep seeking HIM and His wisdom!

Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Gives His Thoughts on Aging and Getting Past Feeling “It’s Too Late”

Often as we age many feel they are useless with no further purpose or contributions to make to family, the community or self. If you feel this way you are wrong! Age is not a disease!

You are what you want to be and these words from the famous poet beautifully tells of new opportunities, no matter how many summers and winters have contributed to the depth and wisdom of our lives:

“It is too late!” Ah nothing is too late —

Cato learned Greek at eighty; …

Chaucer, at Woodstock, with his nightingales, At 60 wrote the “Canterbury Tales.”

Goethe, at Weimer, toiling to the last, Completed “Faust” when eighty years were past.

What then? Shall we sit idly down and say, “The night has come; it is no longer day?”

For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress.

And as the evening twilight fades away,

The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Stars become visible only as we become seasoned citizens! You are not alone in your journey and there are people who truly care about you as an individual and child of God. Go to HIM and learn how you can make your own stars shine bright in helping and inspiring others!

Care-Givers Have Excess Stress and a Confined World – But there are Spiritual and Natural Aids to a Successful Relationship in Caring

Focus on positive events from the past to get past difficult moments in the present.

Avoid arguments that only you will remember – it is better to agree and then do what is proper.

Walk and deep breathe, even if for only a few minutes or have a picnic and enjoy nature for a brief interlude.

Take a multiple vitamin heavy on the B’s for natural supplementation to promote stress management.

Watch DVD or taped comedies or sitcoms that make you laugh as laughter is a great stress reliever.

Avoid self guilt for at times not liking your loved ones, because at times they are almost certainly not likable! If they are really bad, leave the room and premises! See the first three suggestions above.

Remember to love always because the time together is short (You can love even when you don’t like!).

Utilize stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation and/or prayer.

Make and take time for yourself when you can be spelled by friends, family or professional assistance. Stress can make you sick, so take care of your own needs too.

When you feel overwhelmed from care-giving or even just from the cumulative negatives of aging, remember the advice from the Bible,

“Hymn of Promise” or “In the Bulb there is a Flower”

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

In co-coons, a hidden promise: butter-flies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

As we both age and take care of those aging, remember to keep your eyes on heaven and your love showing for those you love and those who love you.