Written By Alan Good
Senior, pronounced, sēnyər, is defined as, “of or for older or more experienced people” or “more grown up”. Other adjectives are, higher-ranking, superior, chief, to name a few.
Ages for seniors can include those of 50 years but generally are reserved for people 60 and over. You can receive old age pension at 65. Many retire then or at 70, but some remain working past that age.
For myself, senior seemed like a dirty acronym at first, like now I am “a senior citizen”, or senior member of the population. So, at 71, I’m a senior, whom young men call “sir”, and young women laugh at my dad jokes and say how I remind them of their grandpa.
In some countries seniors are revered as full of knowledge and wisdom, not to mention keepers of the family lore and history. In Canada, seniors are placed in “homes for the elderly” and perhaps forgotten by some.
But we (seniors) are healthier, more active and, hopefully, more in tune with today’s issues and events than ever before. We ride bikes (Harley Davidsons for some), walk, swim, and generally move better. A new hip or knee can revitalize us and offer even more active years. Exercise classes, yoga, or some other physical regimen can add years—years filled with energy and less wrinkles.
For me (I won’t always use my life), working out has helped me to reduce weight while gaining firm muscle. After several surgeries followed by physiotherapy, which I not only took seriously but stepped up, my confidence improved.
How do you see the world? Are you looking through “old” eyes or do you still feel 10, 20, or 30 years younger than you are? You have pain, yes, but feel somehow you are not 60, 70, or…
In future articles let’s explore our health—physical, mental and spiritual—let’s look at issues in growing into “superior” beings, let’s see what other seniors are doing, and perhaps, find out where those senior discounts are.
Got a comment or suggestion? Email me at alangood17@gmail.com. Can we explore our elderly status and view it as something to be proud of? Like the old song by James Brown states, “Wow, I feel good”!
