6 Way to Stay Youthful-by Heidi McLaughlin

My grandson Ryan and I have been in a fierce crib competition for the past fourteen years. This past weekend he came to visit his Nana, and the crib board came out of its dark hidden place ready to trounce this handsome young lad. In the midst of shuffling the cards his brows furrowed and he questioned me. “Nana, when I was young how come you never let me win?” I smiled and explained: “One of the most hurtful feelings in life are disappointments.  The sooner we learn to overcome unmet expectations in a healthy environment, the quicker we grasp the concept that disappointments are part of life. We have to embrace them and move on.”  I continued: “Furthermore, you don’t want to become jaded and end up a critical and grumpy old man.” Ryan nodded and smiled; he got it.

Spending a weekend with my grandson invigorated and reminded me how important it is to have an open mind in order to stay youthful. Here are 6 ways to stay youthful.

1.         Hang around with young people. Things are not “the way they used to be.” We have to open our minds to different ways of thinking and stay current with the lifestyle and needs of our young people and millennials. Thinking young keeps us young.

2.         Cultivate a thankful spirit.  Instead of feeding on disappointments and being grumpy that life didn't turn out the way we thought it would, be thankful for the many good things in your life. Ask yourself: “Whom would I rather hang around with, a scowling and critical person or someone who

expresses appreciation and gratitude for the every day things in life?” Being thankful keeps the smile on our face and makes us enjoyable to be around.

3.         Forgive quickly. Over time, unforgiveness harbours anger and causes us to lash out in ways that can make our faces turn ugly and bitter. It controls our emotions and stops us from being vulnerable and joyful.

4.         Remove stress.  We live in a stressful and demanding generation. But we have to realize that stress is a dangerous enemy that releases cortisol in our bodies and make us sick.  It can cause us to lose sleep, stomach ulcers, panic attacks, heart diseases and many other physical and emotional illnesses. 

5.         Get off the couch. Energy begets energy and if we want to stay healthy and keep our muscles strong, we have to move our bodies.  Exercise not only keeps our bodies vibrant and flexible, it rejuvenates our brain and keeps us alert and focused.

6.         Read good books. Older people’s conversations are too focused on illnesses, medication, and their aches and pains.  Yes, this is part of life, but wouldn’t you rather hang around with people whose conversations are filled with meaningful stories, current affairs and tending topics?

We don’t need to be reminded that we all need to do is drink lots of water, eat healthy and get plenty of sleep.  I am so grateful for this wonderful life God has given me and I choose to live it with gusto and joy.  We are all getting older but I agree with the Bible that says: “Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day,” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV).

Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice. She is a mom and step mom of a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her family and special friends.

Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places (Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca; Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca

Tow Trucks and Angels in Disguise-by Heidi McLaughlin

 

This particular morning was no different. As soon as my feet hit the floor I started my mental “to do” list. I wanted to get through this day as quickly and efficiently as possible so that I could get out of my office and onto the golf course for my 4:57 tee time. The sun was already blazing over the beautiful Okanagan valley and it made me gasp with joy. It was a perfect day for golfing.

As I drove up the familiar hill on Boucherie Road a warning registered in my brain. The black vehicle on the crest of the hill was no longer moving. My foot hit the brake; but it was too late. What followed was a crushing, ghastly sound of metal twisting and ripping. The deafening explosive sound of the deploying passenger air bag thundered through my little VW Passat, and I thought I was having a heart attack. My body flew forward and it hurled my chest into the steering wheel. In my confused state all I could see was smoke and white powder and I knew that some very bad had happened.

Once the pain in my chest subsided my first thought was, “Dag nab it I’m going to miss my golf game.” I was covered in coffee from head to toe and felt embarrassed as I stood alongside the fire truck, ambulance, police cars and tow trucks. My day was ruined. My car was totalled. My joy was gone. Not only that, but I had to watch people glare at me as they were stuck in this huge traffic jam.

Over the years I have made intentional efforts to be a thankful person. The Bible says: “Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16 NIV). God’s word has proven to me that my joy comes when I look God-ward and focus on all the good and beautiful gifts God gives to me every day…in all circumstances. But on the day of the accident, I found it hard to be thankful

Later that afternoon, once I stopped ruminating about the horrific explosion, an unusual thought came to mind. Heidi, maybe that vehicle you rear-ended saved someone’s life.  The driver of the other vehicle stopped to let a child cross the road. If that SUV had not stopped for that little boy, would you have seen that child?  What if you were so distracted that you had not seen him?

The thought that I might not have seen that little boy left me vulnerable and shaken. Then it dawned on me. Our human eyes cannot see or comprehend the fact that there is always a bigger narrative unfolding in and around us. In amongst the tow trucks there are miracles and angles all around us that we cannot see or understand.  God is always at work unfolding a greater story.

That realization made me stop and remember that God says to “give thanks in ALL circumstances.” Now that I saw a bigger picture, I was so thankful that I sat and looked up to Heaven with tears streaming down my face saying, “Thank you God that you not only love me but you also care for every detail of my life. Help me to be thankful always, in spite of how I feel or how I perceive the situation. Thank you God that you are always with me. ” 

In spite of your circumstances, what are at least 3 things you can be thankful for today?

Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is married to Pastor Jack and they have a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her husband and special friends. You can reach her at: www.heartconnection.ca