Living for a Purpose
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on February 07, 2017
Living for a Purpose
The Georgia sun beat down on my shoulders as we walked Papa's land. In a passing glance, the land looked it might have been ravaged by fire, empty of worth or life. But on closer inspection, thousands of baby trees, just three months out from planting, were starting their 20-year journey to maturity.
If you're from the South, pine trees are a big deal. Slash and loblolly pines line the Southeastern corridor, their massive height stretching toward the sky; impossibly long slender trunks crowned with an elegant puff of needles at the top.
I had never heard my husband's grandfather talk so much as I did that morning, walking among his newest crop of trees, 20 years away from their harvest date. As we canvassed the newly-planted area, he educated us on the spacing of the seedlings, early signs of disease, and harvesting needles for mulch. We learned about the harvest cycle, planting techniques, and the benefit of burn piles. All you ever wanted to know about pine trees, and more.
A man that preferred to observe at noisy family gatherings due to hearing issues, came alive on that quiet May morning, walking the land and sharing his love for growing pine trees.
As we drove away, we passed his older brother's acreage with rows of impeccable pine trees, not a weed or stray branch in sight. Sunlight filtered through the trees in neat shafts, lighting up the forest floor that looked clean enough to picnic on.
The brother had seen his trees through three harvest cycles, investing 60 of his 80 years to watching those slender trunks stretch toward the sky and reach maturity, meticulously tending to their every need in between.
Listening to him tell about his trees, he still had the passion of a young man just starting out on his career, but with the wisdom and attention to detail that only years of experience can foster. Here he was in his 80s, sharp mind and acres of trees to keep alive.
The trees gave him purpose.
Whether it’s pine trees, airplanes, numbers, words, knitting, animals, scrapbooking, family, or religion – all of us have passions that fuel us as we pursue them. Whether these passions morph into careers, or remain hobbies, they give life purpose and meaning. They give us a way to contribute and add value to the communities around us.
But for seniors, sometimes those passions become lost along the way, casualties of illness, isolation, or limited mobility. As their living arrangements change, family moves away, friends pass away or become ill, or they become ill themselves, their outlet for creativity and sharing their passion seems to have all but disappeared.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. In fact, seniors that stick with their hobbies and passions, and still pursue a purposeful lifestyle (even if it’s modified) can expect to enjoy health benefits. Research shows that seniors who pursue purpose in their day-to-day life may experience delayed effects of Alzheimer’s, and have a lower chance of developing disabilities. Purposeful living can also improve eating and sleeping patterns, elevate moods, and foster connection with friends and family. All of which add up to healthier golden years.
So what are some ways you can help the seniors in your life maintain their purpose? One way is to encourage and facilitate participation in familiar, as well as new, hobbies. The beauty is that there are many activities offered that are modified to fit seniors’ health needs. Whether it’s chair aerobics or scrapbooking or book clubs that meet in residential centers, with some encouragement, seniors won’t have to travel far to engage with something they love.
You can also help them record their life story as a family memento. Even if there are gaps in memory, letting them share from their past can be a meaningful way to connect to the present, and leave a legacy for the future. Some seniors may also find joy in giving back by mentoring or tutoring students in need.
Just like the Georgia brothers and their trees, passions and interests don’t have to have an expiration date. Encourage your loved ones and other seniors in your life to plant, tend, and harvest their passions, no matter what the calendar of life may show.