Gratitude and compassion as we age

Gratitude

Over the course of our life, we very likely have seen fortunes change in an instant. They could be our fortunes or those of others. As we age, we tend to become grateful for things we used to take for granted. And we come to appreciate the problems we don't have.

Death is no longer an abstraction

In our later years, death becomes immensely personal and closer than it's ever been before. We may not see it yet, but there's no doubt that it's on our horizon. We may get there before we think. And at the least, we realize we are lucky to have lived as long as we have. 

The inner journey

The physical limitations of aging can seem like nature's way of forcing us to look inward. When the external journey is not as available, the internal one beckons. It can be a very deep and rewarding experience. Frequently, it begins with reflection. And once one accepts the losses, whole vistas open up as possibilities when the glass is half full.

Compassion

Compassion can become a more familiar companion as we age. Resentments we may have had about past grievances—with parents, spouses, children, or friends—can seem less important. This is especially so when we acknowledge the possibility of dying and never seeing those loved ones again. 

Empathy

The aging process often yields profound insights into the behaviors and decisions of elders in our own lives. We begin to understand the challenges and sacrifices they faced, fostering understanding and opening doors to forgiveness for past grievances.

Curious about a more balanced and positive view of old age?

Contact the experts in aging:

LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting 703-677-8319