By Julie Randolph, Information and Access Care Coordination Manager
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Do not resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” -Lao Tzu
We spend our lives supporting others, reading, learning, traveling, making family history, indulging in new projects, reaching milestones and yearning for more. This trajectory is healthy, provides hope, and builds endurance. Achievement can become an expectation and a tool that we use to gage the progression of our lives. There comes a time when progress is not defined by what we can achieve. There is a stage of life when progress is simply being who we have become.
To age gracefully means to shift and bend to the changes life brings. We can end our life well by accepting support and making the changes to accept things exactly as they are now. Where we once provided support, we can accept support. Instead of traveling, we can experience virtual tours of new lands. If our vision fades, we can order audio books and accept rides from others. Instead of blazing trails, we can record our memories and tell our stories. We can move from yearning for more to building a sense of contentment.
Consider reframing necessary endings as necessary beginnings. Find ways to live that support where you are now and gain momentum into this new beginning. For more on this topic Dr. Henry Cloud has an excellent book by the same name, Necessary Endings.
