Deborah Mason
I started a little earlier today, in the hope of completing my Blog before distractions got in the way.
Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking about things that I would really love to do before shuffling of this mortal coil, please don’t ask me why........... well if you must, its because I am getting on a bit, and as my Mother used to say when I was a youngster, "make the most of being young, time flies as you get older" ......and listen up youngsters, Mother was right.
All those years ago sitting in the classroom, having long since given up battling with the whole concept of maths, I really did not believe her because in those moments time stood still. I thought what a load of rubbish and then it happened , I married, had children, worked, worked and worked, my life started galloping ahead of me and then I retired. Fabulous I thought time will now slow down again, did it heck, retirement does not slow things down at all, and this brings me onto one of those other sayings I have heard so many times over the years " I dont know how I ever had time to go to work" one week rolls into the next and before you know it, its New Years Eve again and we all say "well where did that year go".
As you can imagine there has been a lot written about this and most of the studies suggest that the key to slowing down the pace of life (at least psychologically): is to where possible, take advantage of new and unique experiences. Apparently when we go to the same places and do the same things, we don't make distinct memories and time seems to fly by, they also suggest holding a positive perception of the future - envisioning a future full of hope and optimism. This is all very well and good but if you spend too long watching the news ( yes the news had to make an appearance in my blog) hope and optimism is sometimes in short supply.
Because my mind works in a particular flitting around way, (my husband has great difficulty following my thinking, as I can quickly turn thoughts into comments ~ without the benefit of him knowing what my thought was in the first place) This brings me onto the similarities between older humans and older dogs and why to me they are such a good match. Just because a dog is getting on a bit we should never underestimate the value of quality interaction between human and dog. It is still important to keep his or her brain stimulated and functioning as much as possible. Physical exercise is also very important, even if it has to be at a slower pace than in younger years. Keeping your dog active, both physically and mentally may actually help extend his quality of life........... Now which bit of that doesn't work for us human oldies.
Whats on my list of things I want to do........... that has to be for another day.