Attitude Matters!

I spent the Labor Day weekend with my parents in Florida, where they live in a retirement community. They are quite popular because, among other things, they still drive :-) Mom stays active with yoga, water aerobics, and Zumba (that's right, ZUMBA!) and Dad still swings a mean golf club and helps other seniors each spring with their tax returns. I am blessed that they are in relatively good health and have carefully planned for their golden years.

At the tender ages of 76 and 80, they are the "kids" in the community. During my visit I met several men and women in their 80s and 90s, as well as one woman who is 105 and helps care for her 96 year old "gentleman friend"! How cute is that? What's the secret to living to such a ripe old age? I'm not sure but I'm convinced that attitude does indeed matter.

Most of the people I met greet each day with a smile and a positive spirit. While the heat may be oppressive (90s and humid) they're happy to live in a community with air conditioning. At a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, they are grateful for the affordable meals in the Ice Cream Shop ($2.79 for a sandwich, add cheese for 20 cents!). While many use walkers and electric scooters, it doesn't stop them from making their way to the dining room, the fitness center, or the communal living room for an organ concert of Big Band era songs. They smile and laugh and make the most of every day in their lives.

There are, of course, exceptions, who seem to thrive on complaints. For these folks, nothing is good enough and they don't seem to have anything positive to say! They don't even say "Hello" or "Good Morning" - they just launch into the complaint du jour, whining about everything from the food in the dining room to the landscapers. Rather than seeing happy people sharing a meal and pleasant conversation they see food that isn't as good as they would prepare. They don't see the beautiful blue sky or flowering bushes, only the bald spots in the grass and algae on the pond. Not surprisingly, these people either dine alone or with others who share their negative attitude.

As my golden years approach, I have seen the fork in the road, the paths from which I can choose. I can greet each day in misery, looking only for the negative, or I can embrace each day as though it were my last, thankful for everything and everyone in my life. Hmmm! That won't take much thought. What should I do with the rest of my evening?

What about you? Which path will you choose? And why wait until our lives are coming to an end? Let's start now!