Where to Go for Inspiration and Better Insight

I visited a senior citizens' facility this past weekend--it was an enjoyable and educational experience. If you get a chance, spend some time with folks at a local nursing home, especially if you have friends and relatives at one such facility. You will no doubt gain interesting insight through the experience . . . older people have lots to teach us, like good reasons for appreciating life more. In general, older folks are thankful for just being able to get up each day, being able to walk around, eat on their own, and stay psychogically responsive and alert . . . theirs, you might say, is a simpler, more basic world, but there is more to it than that. They are at a stage where they can appreciate both small moments, individual experiences (at times, at a microscopic level), and, also, the big picture--how marvelous it was for them to make it this far, still able to hang on despite so many problems (usually of a medical kind). I am always forced to re-evaluate my perspectives on life when I spend time at such settings. Other such settings that come to mind are hospitals, cemeteries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and, yes, even prisons. Such places can remind us how precious (and ridiculously short) life is in ways that no other place or thing can. Yes, we have problems, and, yes, it's difficult to not let them often overwhelm us, to the point that we forget what is important in life . . . self-survival often becomes the most salient thing in our sights, which inherently forces us to forget others, and even forget about personal achievement (for how can we be thinking of achieving and performing when we are wondering how we will paying our rent or mortgage next month, or maybe wondering how we will be able to keep a troubled marriage or relationship afloat despite so many problems, . . . ). In my opinion, getting wrapped up in ourselves (our needs, wants, and difficulties) is one of the worst things we can do, even if it's quite natural. Like it or not, we are our brothers' keepers, and we should care about those who are sick at nearby hospitals, homeless in local neighbourhoods, or sitting idly in nursing homes (waiting for uncaring relatives or "too-busy" friends who, for some reason, never bother to show up). But, if you do decide to visit some precious older folks at a local nursing home, don't do it for them (though they will certainly appreciate it)--do it for yourself. Pat yourself on the back for having the insight and intelligence to appreciate what they have to offer: wisdom, a sincere appreciation of life at its most basic angle or perspective, and the help that they can give you to better appreciate what you have right now, things you daily take for granted, such being able to see and hear, to walk without assistance, to brush your teeth without help, to chew without the aid of artificial choppers. I enjoyed my visit at the nursing home and so will you, if you go there with the right attitude. Look around, listen carefully and pay attention. You have much to be thankful for, and, if you have any doubt, visit any one of those places I mentioned. Rhetorically ask any of the people there if they would trade places with you--don't feel sorry for them, though, for most of them, from where they are "standing," can see much better than you can, or so I would argue. Thanks for "listening" to these humble thoughts . . .