From March’s Life Enrichment Wisdom Circle by David Gear: Finding Joy in Elderhood
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen
Many people who have entered the “Golden Years” wonder out loud: “what is so golden about getting older?” One of those people is my father, Howard, who, when asked how he was doing by one of the staff at his retirement facility, stated “I really don’t see any gold in my golden years!”
According to a Harvard study, researchers found that “Good genes are nice, but joy is better.” While facilitating Life Enrichment Wisdom Circles on the topic of “Finding Joy in Elderhood” at Larksfield Place, several of the wise elders who attended found joy recalling things in the past. They recalled getting married, giving birth to a son and spending 60 years with the same spouse. Other joyful memories included graduating college after returning to the university at the age of 40, entering the hall of fame at the Wichita Aviation Museum and a granddaughter’s graduation from college.
When sharing their wisdom about what brings joy to life currently (there were over 1,708 years of life experience in the circles), several of the wise elders shared that visits and calls from children, grandchildren and friends brought them joy, and others identified making new friends at Larksfield Place as joy-bringers. One participant shared that she experiences joy by waking up early and watching the sun rise every morning.
I am currently experiencing joy along with the residents of Independent Living at Larksfield Place. WSU’s Freshman Seminar Connecting Generations students interview the elders about their lives from childhood through current times. The look of joy on the elders’ faces as they walk through their life history is joyful and uplifting for both the elders, the students and the instructors.
David Whyte, in his book Consolations writes “Joy is the act of giving ourselves away before we are asked to, Joy is practiced generosity.” One couple shared that it has given them great joy recently by making a donation and another resident shared that she experiences joy by learning everyone’s name and greeting them with a smile at each encounter and saying their name. Larksfield has implemented a program where the Independent Living residents can volunteer throughout the campus and one of the residents shared that he really enjoys it.
Whether it is giving of your time by volunteering or practicing generosity, what brings you joy in your life? Being a part of Larksfield Place Life Enrichment brings me great joy… consider sharing your joyful moments with me by email or text. It would bring me joy to hear your stories of what brings you joy!
