Author’s note: The great debate about whether our life is shaped by our choices or free will doesn’t really exist is highly relevant for people over age 60. This is when we become more aware, and often distressed, that we are in the last chapter of our mortality, with its many risks to our quality of life. In the precious time we have left, can we live it to our liking and aspirations, or is it too late to be the master of our life?
From my perspective at age 80, I‘ve identified four major mindset and lifestyle patterns that people over 60 can find themselves living – passively ending up in them, or consciously and actively selecting their best option. I invite you to look at your Self to determine which choice you have made and if you want to stay the course or change it – before it’s too late. In the form of an accessible poem, I’ve described what I view as the four major choices awaiting seniors.
Your Choices shape your life! … you have no Free Will!
That’s the debate … confusing or giving you a thrill
Among the states of mind directing life’s course
Of the options one of them you must endorse
Drift, Dementia, Death, Delight made my list
Sculpting our journey to either flourish or exist
Drift happens when we redo what we’ve done
Whether resulting in pain, boredom or fun
Worshipping Routine … safe yet no room
For better practices to make a life bloom
Time occupied … as life’s quality slides downhill
Until escaping via busyness, alcohol or a pill
Dementia takes hold as the mind stops working
Science explains how the brain’s not perking
Or see the disease as an Unconscious Solution
When living isn’t valued we reverse our evolution
What am I? Who are you? What are we doing?
Entrapped in a fog … bewildered in a dream
Death strikes causing life’s flame to go out
Coming as a surprise or heading to a final rout
Substituting a dark space of pure nothingness
Or imagining Heaven’s paradise or Hell’s distress
Living without purpose the walking dead types
Death wields the sword to silence their gripes
Delight is the way I aspire to live before I expire
Celebrating love, joy, peace feeds my fire
Enjoying a light touch to navigating this life
Emphasizing fulfillment … minimizing strife
At a higher level aglow with spiritual Light
Guiding the ride with inspiration and insight
Larry Rosenberg, in his new role as The Wisdom Troubadour, is passionate about writing personal poetry that appeals to seniors who want to celebrate and clarify the final chapter of their life. If you have an issue facing seniors, please let me know what it is and I shall consider if for my next poem. Feel free to contact him at larryros@gmail.com or 928-202-0010.
Larry Rosenberg’s life mission is to share consciousness, creativity, connection and contribution. Post-retirement, he founded The Larry Show, one-person musical and inspirational shows based on his life’s wisdom, and Adventurous Aging, holistic wellbeing coaching and workshops for people 60+ to reset their life from retiring to refiring. Prior to these enterprises, his 50-year career included higher education in marketing (New York University and University of Massachusetts Amherst), international management training (University of Maryland Global Campus, Tokyo), innovative business consulting and coaching, and holistic health corporate communication. He earned a BS from Drexel University, and an MBA and PhD (Marketing) from The Ohio State University. He lives in Pompano Beach, Florida, where he delights in the area’s tropical lifestyle, cultural diversity, and business vitality.
Learn more about Adventurous Aging for Seniors, a coaching service, at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082105301582. You can contact Larry at larryros@gmail.com and 1.928.202.0010 Eastern Time.
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