By the time we enter the third and last phase in life (over 60), we should have learnt to deal with temptations coming from our encounter with food, travel, shopping (to name a few).
Food and Travel bring us great joy and pleasure, but might often leave us weary and dependant on 'doctor appointments'.
Most people choose to go along with the temptations and are willing to pay the price. They"ll say: 'life is short', 'we live only once', 'we're but human' - 'let's taste life and enjoy it from all its angles'.
That's all right, provided they're aware of the choice and take responsibility for the consequences; that is, not constantly blaming other factors such as genetics, age, stress, luck (albeit each of these factors does influence our well-being to a certain extent).
Me, I'm trying to resist temptation without fighting it. It's not easy, but it's possible, with the right willpower and a few helpful tips. The reward becomes visible if and when you manage somehow to protect your health, and on the way, save the money that usually goes to those temptations.
On various occasions, I'll also use sayings (see the above) to justify my choice. For example, I'll say about sightseeing - 'oh, well you've seen one, you've seen them all' - which, is of course, not true. The various attractions and places of interest (museums, parks, churches, markets etc..) differ from each other; the ideas behind them, however, are more or less similar so, I'm probably not totally lying to myself.
The two and a half years of Covid in the background, have inserted a certain balance into our heads. Let's hope it stays there. Avoiding excessive/processed food, skipping crowded places, being selective at buying things, and practising good sanitary habits - that's the way we should always follow, covid or not covid.
*
Such perfect timing. I have been doing so well, eating better, staying home more, avoiding the crowd, but then last night I over did it at the first cookout of the season. Oh, how miserable I felt today. I feel as if I needed this day to rest up for work tomorrow. I am still wearing my mask at work too. Thanks so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that. Hope you feel better soon, Ellie. Although you're not in the third age group, it always pays to not overdo things.
DeleteThanks for your comment! Yes, it's best to stay active and lay off all that heavy food. Wishing you all the best to a safe and enjoyable summer.
Delete'Summer' is a magic word now, as we went through a winter with some very cold days.
DeleteI am now over 60, and still fighting some temptations. I do see that things that I once thought were important are no longer. As we age, we realize how short life really is and what things are really important.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm over 70, and fully aware of age, shortness of life, things that should matter, things that should be avoided. It's our last chance to listen to the needs of our body and soul.
ReplyDeleteI still wear a mask as much as possible
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Better safe than sorry, as they say.
DeleteWe are still wearing masks.
ReplyDeleteI feel safer with the mask and don't mind if I'm becoming a curiosity (as most people have got rid of masks).
DeleteMy biggest justification is that 1) I retired from my busy career in Dec 2019 and 2) Covid lockdowns lasted forever. Now even getting up in the morning takes an effort.
ReplyDeleteRetirement is a significant event in life. The trouble is, people wish to go on as before, and that's a mistake. Things have to change.
DeleteI've always tried to eat right, but lately I've noticed that straying ever so slightly off the healthy food path sends my digestive system into a tizzy.
ReplyDeleteNothing is easy or smooth. However, with patience, one could overcome any digestive issue coming your way.
DeleteMy greatest temptation since retirement and Covid lockdowns has been to lie in bed and do nothing. I force myself to walk 2 ks every lunchtime, but it is not fun.
ReplyDeleteWalking is a good solution to 'doing nothing", and after a while you"ll be yourself again.
DeleteI'm still tempted by chocolate and can't resist it if it is in the house and still buy more of it than I should but I have really cut back on other things I might not have done in moderation at times (wine). I'm pretty healthy for my age but know that can change in a moment. I try to live within reason and responsibly and hope and trust for the best.
ReplyDeletebetty
The last line of your comment comprises it all: we should try and live responsibly and within reason. We don't have to give up chocolate and wine, but be aware of quantity and frequency.
DeleteI wear a mask in supermarkets, I worry what else is out there we have yet to know about! I understand your concerns about balance/travel etc but for me travel is important, exploring the planet and appreciating the beauty of far away places is something I am lucky to be able to do as long as I continue to work (so I can pay for it of course!) I'm in my 60s - my father died at my age and had so much he wanted to do that it propels me to be a travel bug. I am more aware/grateful for what I have though since Covid but am one of those with the attitude that life is short and we don't know what is around the corner :)
ReplyDeleteTraveling, changing of scenery, is important. Nobody's suggesting to give it up, just adapting it to our ability as people at a certain age. May you enjoy many years of traveling!
DeleteWe don't have to wear a mask down here but my husband and I do when shopping...we only travel within our State these days...take care Duta.
ReplyDelete"..travelling within our State.." - that's fine. 'Know thy country' as they say.
DeleteCovid restriction is more relaxed now. We still wear mask when we go to crowded places and still keep our social distance.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Covid decline. May it continue to do so until disappearance. We're fed up with the restrictions.
DeleteTotalmente de acuerdo con tus buenos consejos que nos dejas en esta reflexión.
ReplyDeleteYo, inmerso hace ya una década en esta tercera etapa de la vida, puedo dar fe, de que jamás fui, ni lo soy hoy en día, un consumista compulsivo, incluso, ni con la comida me excedo, lo preciso y algún capricho que se me antoje; y que dedico buena parte de mis ahorros en viajar, sobre todo en esta última y bonita fase, donde la experiencia adquirida me hace ver la vida de forma más positiva y disfrutar de lo que nos rodea, a tope.... Por si llega el momento: "que nos quiten lo bailado"; como decimos los andaluces.
Por aquí, ya no es obligatorio el llevar la mascarilla, pero a pesar de ello, son pocos los que se la han quitado, y sobre todo en sitios cerrados donde todos la llevan puesta.
Muy interesante, amiga, el tema que has traído hoy a debate, o a que que dejemos nuestras opiniones.
Un abrazo, y que tengas una bonita semana.
May you enjoy traveling for many years to come! The experience acquired in your life, helps indeed see things in a more appealing manner, increasing your joy and pleasure derived from the places visited.
ReplyDeleteOscar famously said, I can resist everything but temptation." A wise man!
ReplyDeleteIf you're referring to Oscar Wilde, then the first part of his quote says " the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it".
DeleteI'm of the opinion that you only live once and might as well enjoy things while you're here because you never know when your life will end.
ReplyDeleteYou're not in the minority, Mary. Many are those who have the same opinion as yours.
DeleteCovid restrictions have been lifted here but masks are still worn in hospitals, Doctors surgeries etc.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to enjoy the simpler things in life and as the saying goes 'take time to smell the roses' and enjoy nature.
All the best Jan
I totally agree with you,Jan. We should definitely take the time to enjoy the simple things in life, such as smelling of the roses.
DeleteI am still nervous about getting on a plane. I desperately want to return to England while I can -- but I'm not quite ready for the risk. I'll go to my cottage and maybe mask up for some day trips. Or maybe just stay put. And it's not a bad compromise! I agree with you on moderation. It's not always easy, but it's almost always smarter!
ReplyDelete'Day trips' is a good idea! I know I'm not ready yet to get on a plane or train. I don't drive, so I have to get on a bus sometimes (won't do that at peak hours).
DeleteHi Duta! Glad to see you! Those are good ideas about living healthy and balanced. Nice pictures of you, as you continue to be careful, may the LORD bless you and keep you healthy and safe in His arms and in His love!!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Shayndel! Thanks for your kind words and your blessings. As always, your blessings, are the best part of your comment.
DeleteUma excelente tarde com muita paz e saúde minha querida amiga Duta.
DeleteThanks Luiz for your kind wishes. Peace and health go hand in hand ; it's even rhyming:).
DeleteWe are what we eat. I believe that.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. I'm a great believer in the power of nutrition. I've even got a formula that roughly guides me: (protein+fiber) - (salt and sugar).
DeleteYou have made some excellent points here, Duta, and while there have been so many negatives about Covid, including of course the deaths of many, there have also been some positive impacts.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, the bad, evil Covid has some good too. They even say there can be no good without bad as a counterpart.
DeleteI don't see travel as a temptation but as a necessity. When most of your family lives on a different continent and you haven't seen them for two years there is not much choice, because missing someone you love above everything isn't healthy either in the long run. Especially when you're older and you don't know when (or if) there will be another chance. I am truly glad that I did go to Germany this past May. We were careful, wore our masks, were reasonable - tested three times, all negative, but my heart and soul are singing with joy.
ReplyDeleteI was referring especially to the touristic kind of travel of people in a certain age group. Of course, when one has family in different places, it becomes a neccessity to go meet them.
DeleteReading your post is one of the occasions that I hear my grandparents speaking to me and I'm reminded of how many lessons in life they taught me. "All things in moderation" was one of their sayings.
ReplyDeleteWise saying! 'Moderation' is the key to everything in life. We don't have to give up things that we like; just practice moderation.
DeleteAgree on that. But I will control only the food part. Travel is something I won't give up.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood. Nobody likes to give up travel, and there's usually no need to do so, but at a certain age, one has to adapt it to one's abilities.
DeleteWell over 60 and I don't think of things in day to day life as temptations. I think of them as opportunities, experiences. We travel more than we did when we were younger. We have more $$ than when we were younger and we now have more time as well. I do think Covid has helped people prioritize a bit more than perhaps they did before. I wish Covid was behind us, I don't think it is or ever will be. But, it does seem better with more being vaccinated and getting less sick.
ReplyDeleteI like your assertive comment. No temptations but opportunities, more time, more money, more travel than in the younger days.
DeleteI like that mural behind you!
ReplyDeleteMe too. It's on a long fence that belongs to a kindergarten. Thanks for noticing it.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your thought-provoking posts. I am ready to travel until I really think it through. Driving all day would cramp our style and knees somethinga awful, and flying is still too risky in my opinion. One of these days though.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid this year traveling far from our home is still risky. There's a mess everywhere, especially at airports.
Delete