Star Trek’s Spock certainly nailed it with that Vulcan benediction, but how to achieve that in our own lives? Particularly as we get older, it can become more difficult to ‘prosper’ in all senses. Planning ahead so that we bring a positivity to our aging is one way to maintain our good health and independence.
Of course, we might not have had all our plan-ahead ducks lined up in our youthful years, but it’s never too late to make changes to improve our lifestyle. We may have stresses, pressure, health issues or other difficulties that impact our mental and physical well-being, but even small changes can make a difference – little steps can lead to bigger ones.
In this edition, we speak to some of our wise community elders for their suggestions on living one’s best life.
Warren Overend, 77, of Beerburrum is a semi-retired teacher and former principal of Beerburrum State School, who now keeps himself busy as a part-time bus driver, maintaining his large garden, volunteering and tinkering in his shed. Warren says, ‘Good health is important. Money doesn’t make you healthy or happy. As long as you have enough for your needs , that’s the important thing. I make sure I eat well, plenty of fresh vegetables and salads, and three meals a day. It’s good to have a little social activity and company, and some pride in my appearance. I’m a little bit old-school; I don’t go to the shops in my yard clothes. I’ve been to a couple of men’s breakfasts and enjoyed those. Sometimes you need to push yourself to do something out of your comfort zone.’
94-years-young Patricia Richardson, Kings Beach, is the elder of her tribe, a well-known and much-loved identity in the Caloundra community, stalwart of so many groups and activities it’s very easy to lose count of them! Patricia says one’s upbringing definitely contributes to one’s resilience in adulthood. ‘As a child in England during the war, we all, even children, needed to be stoic and just get on with things, no matter what was happening.’ The attitudes drawn from her immigrant parents and their determination to make life better for their children, formed Patricia’s approach to her adulthood, building her own businesses, raising her two sons, and now enjoying her great-grandchildren and her many activities.
Stephen Holmes of Pelican Waters, firmly agrees on the need to keep active, both physically and mentally. While some back problems have put an end to his golfing, Stephen, 77, still takes a peaceful walk every day, enjoying nature and listening to his favourite music. For mental exercise, this is a man who relishes a good cryptic crossword. As we know, keeping the brain active is an important factor in helping to prevent the onset of dementia. Lastly, Stephen emphasises the importance of connections. ‘Good friends, social activity – even a little of it – is terribly important for us all’, he finishes.
Born in 1940, Pauline Clayton, 85, has never thought of herself as old. At 20, she left her family in Tasmania to live and work in Melbourne, travelling solo and making her own decisions ever since. Growing up before supermarkets, with chooks, ducks, vegetables and fruit trees in the backyard, Pauline believes that early start with fresh food set her up well for life. Aside from preventative Symbicort for bronchitis, she takes no other medication. At 73, realising she was struggling to get up off the floor without support prompted her to join the gym, where she now trains twice a week and follows a full-body myofascial routine. She also spends an hour each week in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, something she values as a long-time scuba diver. Pauline even spent last Christmas diving in the Solomon Islands. After breast cancer at 74 and a year of treatment, she now enjoys a slower pace of life and schedules just two events a day. She says she still loves life and the wonder of it all. Married just 17 years, with one daughter, she has done most everything on her own including travelling and joining clubs, she still enjoys contract bridge and backgammon.
