Autumn Years Fall 2023

Research has found people with positive attitudes toward aging lived 7 1/2 years longer, all other things being equal. Studies also show that staying positive about aging limits the physical signs of aging. Positive people are less stressed and live happier, healthier lives, think sharper and remain more physical ly fit. They are also significantly better at bouncing back from illness and severe disabilities. By developing and maintaining a positive attitude, growing older can af ford us opportunities to experience new pursuits, meet and enjoy new people and try things that we did not have the time or the chance to try when we were younger. Make every effort to look at the bright side of everything. Surround yourself with positive people and steer clear of negative thinking and situations. Do not consider your age as an obstacle but rather as a triumph. Focus on the pros instead of the cons, then on how to turn the cons into pros. Appreci ate the good things and people in your life and enjoy them more. Keep a good sense of humor, smile a lot and learn to laugh at things that do not go as you wish. Stay healthy with daily exercise, good nutrition and proper rest. All this and a positive attitude will keep you Fit for Life!

Sometimes it is learned from the behav ior of negative people in our lives. Even what we read or watch can take us down a dark path. Misinformation can also cre ate attitudinal roadblocks. It can create inherent insecurity or an irrational fear of failure. Once you recognize a pattern of negative attitude and identify possible reasons for it, you can begin the process of embracing a positive outlook. It may take courage and effort but consider that whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, it is always refillable! Our Autumn Years should embrace the joy of living. Choosing pessimism closes doors. Optimism and positivity opens new ones. We have the power to fill our lives with what we choose. Why settle for half a glass when we can fill it to the brim? Be self-aware of your attitude. “Life is a bowl of cherries. Some cherries are rotten while others are good; it’s your job to throw out the rotten ones and forget about them while you enjoy eating the ones that are good! There are two kinds of people: those who choose to throw out the good cherries and wallow in all the rotten ones, and those who choose to throw out all the rotten ones and savor all the good ones.” – C. JoyBell C.

What will people think of me?” Sadly, a negative attitude can prevent us from participating in and enjoying some of the things we deserve to benefit from in our remaining years. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your at titude.” – Maya Angelou The good news is that even learned attitudes are not set in stone and can be changed. You, yourself, determine your attitude and you have total control over it. A positive attitude is a disciplined and deliberate way of seeing, thinking and responding to life. The same influences that lead to attitude formation can also help to create attitude changes. It has to begin by realizing and recog nizing that you have a pattern of nega tive thinking. This requires some serious introspection and acceptance. Positive attitudes foster good feelings but nega tive attitudes can bring anger or hostil ity. Negative people focus on what is the worst that could happen. Positive people focus on the best possible outcome. Positive people think “I can do that!” Negative people think “What if I can’t?” Think about what may have influenced your negativity. Often negativity is a result of person al experiences or observation.

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FALL 2023 I AUTUMN YEARS