What's good about getting older?

I wonder how my Dad would have answered that question.  I think he struggled to see anything positive about getting older, so here's some of the things I've come up with. 

​Discounts 

Some of the discounts available to older people in England:

• Free NHS Prescriptions and eye tests
• Bus pass when you reach retirement age
• The Boots advantage card gives extra points if you're over 60 as well as £25 discount off specs at Boots Opticians.  Sign up here. 
• Eligibility for winter fuel allowance when you reach retirement age (currently between £100 and £200 a year)
• Eligibility for Senior Railcard if you're over 60.  This costs £30 a year and saves you 1/3 on rail fares
• Eligibility for a £10 Coach Card which gives you 1/3 off fares on National Express
• Discounts at various restaurants, cinemas, and local attractions.

Wisdom

Over our lifetime, we have seen governments come and go, we have witnessed global disasters; seen huge technological advances, societies breaking down, family feuds, and business failures; we have been to parties and interviews, weddings and funerals, been on holidays, travelled on business, walked to the shops, watched the seasons change; we've had good relationships and bad relationships,  We have loved and lost, travelled, been to conferences and seminars, learned new recipes, looked after the sick, changed nappies, got drunk with friends; we've earned money and spent it.  We have cooked and cleaned, opened bank accounts,  learned where to find bargains, how to make a decent meal with leftovers and how to put up shelves.........  the list goes on and on.  

All of these experiences contribute to wisdom - the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.  Wisdom gives us the capacity for unbiased judgement, compassion and self-knowledge.  This, in turn, gives us peace of mind as we have  learned when to keep quiet and when to speak up, which causes we want support and which battles we need to fight. 

Contentment

For me, one of the greatest gifts of ageing is increased contentment.  As long as I have a roof over my head, food to eat, reasonable health and a reason to get out of bed in the morning, life is good. I have much to be grateful for - especially the fact that I've been fortunate enough not to have had had any major health concerns.  As the years roll by, it's easy to focus on the negatives such as creaking bones, backache, failing eyesight, loss of hearing etc. but if you have an attitude of gratitude, you will find that you appreciate every day you wake up.  You've been blessed with another day to make a difference so try to Embrace Ageing - so many people don't have that opportunity!
​ 
As always, I would love to hear from you.  Please comment using the button below.