reflect

Reflecting, Remembering, and Helpful Hints for Aging Well

 

The dictionary definition of “reflect” is “to recollect or realize after thought, to think seriously; contemplate upon”; and the definition of “remember” is to “recollect , recall, or to bring back to mind again.”  Although, they are not synonyms, there is a similarity between the two words.

Thirteen years ago, my children bought me a unique journal called  “Reflections from a Mother’s Heart, Your Life Story in Your Own Words.” This type of book becomes a family legacy for your children. It also helps you remember important and interesting experiences from your past. Families used to have more time- and take more time- to talk to each other, to tell stories from the past, to look at their photos and photo albums, and even to read together.

However, in recent years, it seems like most families are living “life in the fast lane”. Everyone is too busy doing their own thing. Some families never even have a sit-down meal together anymore. I am really not surprised that there are so many elderly people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease these days. Many seniors are left alone, not seeing their children or grandchildren very often. They often just watch television or look at Facebook to pass their time. I just read an article about how grandparents stay younger and healthier if they help care for their grandchildren. Learning a language or studying things that challenge the brain (like Algebra) can also help keep their brain healthier. Fasting, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, cutting back on foods with lots of sugar or caffeine, and  exercising more can also help keep the mind sharp.

Organizing and decluttering your life can help, since most people in our culture own too much “stuff”. Try having a “technology fast” regularly, and read more instead, especially biographies of men and women of faith; but most importantly, invite Christ’s control over every area of your life and learn to “abide in Him” (Read John 15 and 1 John 2:28) As you reflect, especially on God, and enjoy the beauty of his creation, you may actually experience peace and quietness in your own private world.

Take Time to Reflect

Culture is full of chaos and disorder that often causes us stress and anxiety. You may feel like you “just can’t get your act together”, or like you are always a step behind. If so, I recommend that you take time to reflect and order your private world.

I highly recommend that you read Gordon McDonald’s classic book, Ordering Your Private World. Organizing the private world of one’s life seems to be a universal human struggle. There are many people whose lives are like one of Florida’s sinkholes. They feel like something is about to cave-in or collapse. Often when people feel so overwhelmed, they may just try to bring order to their surroundings by decluttering their home or office,  or they may read a self-help book hoping it will help them organize their busy schedules. However, most often the disorganization is actually in their private world. We actually need to declutter our minds. Being able to think clearly is very important. We need to take time to reflect on knowing what we believe and truly value, and to be able to commune with God deeply.

I really like this quote by John Wesley: “Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry, because I never undertake more work than I can go through with calmness of Spirit.”

I found it helpful to see how McDonald divides the private world into these 5 parts:

1) Our motivation–what makes us function as we do?

2) What we do with the limited amount of time we have

3) How we use our intellect;  focusing on wisdom and knowledge (are we keeping our minds sharp?)

4)  Our spiritual strength–our spirit is the intimate place where we commune with the Father, which can also be thought of as the ‘garden of our private world’ (Remember the song, “I Come to the Garden Alone”?) Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowds to pray and spend time with God, especially in early morning hours.

5) The place of rest where we find peace for restoration, a very essential source for our inner organization. God did not intend for rest to be leisure and amusement as many people seem to think, but rather a necessity of quiet solitude for those who want to grow and mature in the Lord.