How to face the fear of death

 

“Mankind holds no greater fear than fear of death. That is why they put their faces to the ground and plead for God’s mercy. It is the nature of all living things to prostrate themselves before fear.”

I have no idea where my grandson get this quote, but it something that gives a huge impact on me – huge enough for me to write something about it. Reflecting on its concept, I can be the one who is nearest facing this fear, in terms of life span, since I’m the eldest among my family. And now that I’m facing this thought, I realize that I am one of those people, that I am also have this fear of dying.

But death, like aging, is something I can never avoid. No matter how I keep myself healthy, I’ll end up dying (Hey I don’t want to sound like a negative granny…. it’s just a reality check….) And now that this terrifying thought sinks in my chest, the best thing I can do is to face it.

Acceptance is the best way to face death. Knowing that someday I’ll face my death bed and accepting that someday I will die has a thick line. And if I want to live my life with happiness while having this thought, I have to accept my fate, especially now that I’m getting old and weary.

Since my aging years limits me in doing some things, I have to live my life to its fullest. Without wasting any seconds, I have to do what I want, before I lose all my energy and spend my life lying in bed and being taken care of.

 How to Cope with Aging

 

I sit in the nearest bench in the park, tired from a long walk with my dog. Wiping my sweat with a grimace on my face, I remember how energetic I used to be back when I was young. But now that I am already old, it seems that all those stamina slipped away. I hate aging…. I always hate aging…. When I was still in my adulthood, I knew that there are things that I held on to would slip away… just like how my energy vanished as soon as I stepped in my 50’s. And now that I’m in my aging years, I can’t help but get irritated with all the changes that I am going through. I don’t want it, but I have to deal with it.

I have to face it…. and embrace it…. Unless I drink something extraordinary like that miraculous water from the Fountain of Youth, aging is, without a doubt, inevitable. And since I don’t want to get uglier with my agitated wrinkles, I have to face the fact that I am getting older… with smile on my face. Apparently, this is the only way for me to avoid irritation on my situation.

I also need to keep healthy to keep me glowing. I know it’s one of the best ways to make me as young as I can be, with lesser physical problems. Stretch my muscles, walk, just like what I’m doing right now, and other activities good for my physical fitness are some of the things I should be consistent of to make me as vibrant as I can be.

 

Keeping positive, though it sounds like a cliché, is also important. If my physical health needs improvement, and so is my emotional health. Enriching it and filling it with happy thoughts are the best steps to make my emotional health better.

As I follow my ideas on embracing my aging, I don’t think getting old would be that bad…..

As I retire and get my life stuck inside my house, I need to survive this material world and get my family insured with what I have earned. And in terms of survival, I need my insurance handy, especially when unexpected things happen. Since I am in my aging days, where I can’t do much, one of the best things I can do, not just to survive but to help my loved-ones as well, is to be sure I give them my support. And in this case, my insurance, once again becomes handy…. But how to get a good one????

  1. Select an insurance company that has the best credibility. There are several companies out there that establishes good features, only to trap an innocent victim on their hidden scum. A well-established insurance company should be on the list of choices…. And it has to be known for its credibility and good service.

  2. Make sure that its benefits are compatible with your needs. Some companies requires a huge amount of money for insurance while some don’t. In this case, find the one that suits your lifestyle…. and budget.

Convenience is also a concern when it comes to insurance. As I said, I need to make it handy during the mot unexpected times and clearly, I don’t want any more problems regarding insurance when such case happens.

 Falling in Love Again

 

You have been alone for half of your married life. He has left you – there were unexpected events, and death has taken him away from your arms. Your grief seemed unbearable but you knew you have to move on…. Until you become the person you are now, wrinkled-faced, white-haired, and your remaining moments seemed to fade away….. Until you meet him…. the person who reminds you that life, despite your grief, is still a beautiful place to live in….

Sparks fly between the two of you, everything appears to be like when you’re young…. well, everything feels like you’re young, happy, and cheerful. But that kind of spark only remains in your fantasy – for you have to live in you’re reality where you are no longer young, but an old, gloomy hag waiting for her death bed to rise.

But remember what they say, “Age doesn’t matter,” and this applies to love as well – and you can fall in love no matter how young or old you may be….. So, if you found another guy who seems to be the love of your life, then remember these things….

  1. Do not hesitate. Who cares if you’re old and in love? Who cares if you exchange sweet words with your new love? Who cares if you’re joyful in his arms? Just because you are gray doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love. So, when you find the person who makes your heart throb, then fall for him and love him with all you have.

  2. Move on. Forget about your past. If you didn’t have a good relationship back then, or got widowed too early, then wallow and grieve – but not for too long. After a period of grief, learn to move on, especially when you find you new happiness. Fur sure, you deserve to be happy again.

  3. Just fall in love. Let go of those feelings. Do not stop yourself from loving him because you’re old. Come on, you can love too just like everyone.

Our classy time has been faded by their progressive and fast-paced lifestyle. They have their slangs while we seniors have been stuck to our old language. And as I grow older, it becomes harder to cope with my grand children’s style and way of living. Their gadgets are way too modern for me and my knitting tools are way too boring for them. As our generations clash with opposite nature, my grandchildren and I have established a gap. Of course, I do not want to spend my remaining days without seeing an expression of love on their faces, that is why I do my best to communicate with them.

Fortunately, a cool friend of mine has been successful in this field. She has been labeled by her own grand kids as the “coolest grandmother on Earth,” for understanding their slangs, lifestyles, and even their interest in fashion, technology, and celebrities. Sensing that I am poor on her field of expertise, she hands me a list of things that I can do to gain my grand children’s attention and interest….( Hopefully, I’d be labeled as “their coolest grandma.”)

  1. Try to understand their slangs and use them. Teenagers, and even the adults have their own set of language that they use in their normal conversations. “Peace” is used as their ending remark and have this “y’all” to refer to “you all.” As I try to master the correct usage of their slangs, I try to avoid applying my own language and try to use theirs so I can get their attention.

  2. Get to know their sense of fashion. Curls these days are used for special occasions, not on day to day events. While the trend of this generation is quite different from mine, I have to understand the essence of their fashion for me to be able to catch up with their lifestyle. And once I get used to it, I guess I can be their fashion counselor whom they can ask about the best clothes that will fit them.

  3. Start a conversation. This has an exception. Starting a talk with a question like “How’s your school?” can suggest an authoritative impression to them. They may even think that I am even a strict grand mother who has such a high expectation to them. So instead of using this question as my starter, I’ll be applying friendlier approach like asking my grandchildren like “How are your friends in school?” With this, it may grab their attention, thinking that I have interest in their social life too.

Old Man

 

 

It’s such an overwhelming fulfillment for me to become a part of hotel administration for a long time. It’s always been my dream, and now that I have done my job and made this hotel quite progressed, I can no longer ask for more. Besides, this has become my bread and butter, providing my family a decent lifestyle all this time. But now that I am starting to face the aging years, I have to do my remaining days with my family. Now that I am going to retire, I make sure that everything has been completed.

  1. I passed my job to the most deserving one. Being a successor of my position means leadership, ethical values, and dedication. Since my job requires such, I need to select the best one fitting for my position.

  2. I also prepared for my insurance. Well, I established my insurance back then, but I have to be sure, that before I retire, I am still being financially secured with this. I also want my family to have similar security, well, in case, you know…. something happens?

  3. I get myself emotionally prepared for this. Since my job is my life-long dream, being in our home all the time, and not doing the same tasks again can be nostalgic for me, so it’s necessary to be emotionally ready for this. My time is done and now I have to take a rest and spend my time with my family.

As I get these things done, I embrace my retired life with satisfaction on my face. I have done my job, and serve my guests, and now is the time to spend my time with the ones I love.

 

 

You have “Prison Break,” “Heroes,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “Sex and the City” in your television screen. You flip the channel and you still see similar sitcoms. It’s just like the movies, the songs, the stars…. And darn, you miss your favorite TV programs. It sucks to admit it but your time has become a “has been” for a long time. It’s the new millennium now and there wouldn’t be a pretty blond genie appearing in your screen or three adorable and hilarious buddies making you laugh hard.

Speaking of which, I write my stuff not to put you into solitude as this new age grows faster while you become gray and weaker. I’m just like you buddy, a senior who misses his sitcoms, longing to see my three favorites that used to make my day.

The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone. Rod Zerling was put in the limelight for being the host of this mystery, sci-fi, and suspense program, Twilight Zone. Airing in the 50’s, everyday is a series of scenes that steals your attention with its surprising twists and turns and sometimes, trigger your political views with its commentaries.

BewitchedBewtiched. What if the love of your life was actually a witch? This is the main theme of “Bewtiched,” a famous sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1972. Starring Elizabeth Montogmery as Samantha Stephens, the beautiful, loving witch and Dick York and Dick Sargent as Darren Stephens, Elizabeth’s husband, Bewithced provides a long-series of laughter and even a sense of romance among its audience. It has become a “50th Greatest Television Program of All Time” by TV Guide.

The Three StoogesThe Three Stooges. An all-time comedy classic, Three Stooges presented “Moe, Larry, and Curly/Shemp” as the three hilarious buddies having their goofy adventures and funny slapsticks.

Being a movie goer that you are, you watch every film that seems to have interesting plots, even though it’s always Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise whom you see in the screen. It’s not that you don’t like these actors; they have earned your admiration in acting, in fact. It’s just that you miss watching the actors and actresses that have captured your heart….. those celebrities in your time, showing glamor, fame, and of course, talent.

As a way of refreshing those memories when you and your wifey visit the screen in the red carper premiere, here are three of the screen legends that have become the talk of your time.

  1. Humprey BogartHumphrey Bogart. Dubbed by the American Film Institute as “The Greatest Male Star of All Time,” this handsome actor charmed his way to fame and glory with his smartness, ethical, and romantic roles like Casablanca. He’s known as “Rick Blaine,” in this story of love and moral code.

  2. Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor. She once became the epitome of Cleopatra in her film, with her glamorous beauty and mischievous charm. Elizabeth Taylor is not just known with her irresistible charm and superb talent, but also her numerous marriages with men.

  3. Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe. Who wouldn’t recognize this timeless beauty with her gold curls, mole, and oozing sex appeal? If Elizabeth Taylor is known for being “Cleopatra,” Marilyn Monroe is known for her steamy performance, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” She is the cover girl for the first edition of Playboy magazine back in December 1953. One of her most famous film is “Some Like it Hot,” in 1959 where she earned $200,000 as her salary.

Old Couple
I get inside our home with a big grin on my face. My husband removes his cap, but his smile remains there. We just went from a ballroom party with our good colleagues, sharing great laughter and cheerful spirits. It was tiring, but we had a lot of fun. You see, my hubby and I have been going out all our lives since both of us are spontaneous. And despite our old age, we never stop doing what we like, though I have to admit that there have been limitations due to our weakening bodies.

But then again, everything is still good. We still do what we want like ballroom dancing and going out with our family. It feels like we are still young since we get to have outdoor fun without worrying too much about our gray flesh.

I type these words to encourage you, my fellow seniors to have fun the same way we do. Just because you have arthritis or something doesn’t mean the only thing you can do is stay inside your home, eh? And don’t worry, I am writing this with full consideration of your condition, as I experience some physical difficulties myself. So, here are some activities that you and your hubby and friends can enjoy outside your home….

CruiseGo cruisin.’ You don’t have to go to do an island-hopping and have a pirate-like adventure for you to enjoy this. You can just sail in the middle part of the sea and feel its breeze touch your body. See the sun set while you enjoy the food and the drink with your loved ones. You can already have a great fun just by doing that, especially when you exchange some stories about your lives.

 

CampingCamping. This can be a hassle for some because of its preparations. You need tent and other camping gear and food for camping. Besides, trailing a park can be tiring for us folks. But the good thing here is, you can still have this camping trip without going somewhere. Just have your good backyard ready for this. With a little help from junior, you can set up your tent and have your pillow and blankets ready. Then, you can start grilling your snacks and enjoy the rest of your camping trip just right outside your home.

These are just two samples of outdoor activities you can enjoy. Ballroom dancing, as what I already mentioned, is already considered as one of such activities. Doing these trips, for sure, will start your graying days more colorful.

 

Staying Fit

Prevention is better than cure, eh? I’d say it’s correct. Though seniors like us cannot completely avoid the “inevitables” during our aging, we can at least minimize its damage by staying healthy. I for one have arthritis and have several experiences of heart attacks. On the other hand, the good thing here is, I do not experience it as often as others do. My secret? Well, it’s not really a mystery to crack and a undiscovered thing. In fact, they just come in the simplest and most common methods.

  1. Exercise. Stretch those muscles, walk those feet, and have a good breathe of fresh air. No matter what age, exercise should be done at least everyday. Or, if you don’t have much time doing a proper exercise like a few minutes of stretching and jogging, you can do this in form of doing simple chores like wiping the floor. The effort that your muscles exert is tantamount to some forms of exercises good for you.

  2. Eat the right food. Keeping a balanced diet must be hard task, as everyone has that tendency to pig-put on when faced with their favorite food. Sometimes, veggies are not included in the table and there are moments where all you eat is fruit. When one of the food groups is missing, the best thing you can do is to eat the right one. Avoid those fat-rich food that will only increase your capacity for heart attacks.

  3. Consult a doctor. Sometimes, you think that your body is undergoing normal changes during aging without really knowing that it can be manifestation of a life-threatening disease. To be certain that you are still having the normal phase of aging, ask a professional who is expert on this field. Your physician will provide you information about your body condition and that is only when you will be confident about your physical normality.

 

As I said, what I incited here is not a great discovery that will shake the world. These things have been actually repeated for millions of times to remind us that being healthy is the key for longer life. But aren’t these things the ones that we usually forget?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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