A long time ago, I spent a year working in a nursing home as an activity director. It wasn’t the best career fit for me because at that time, I was a bit of a hyper person and it was a bit too slow-paced for me. However, I loved my year there and most of all, I loved my residents. I learned so much from these dear old people, and I’ll always cherish the memories of my time with them. The fact is, it was more than 20 years ago and they’re all most certainly passed away by now, but they all left a legacy of wisdom. Every person there impacted at least one person in their life and many of them impacted me. You can grow old and be miserable and regretful or you can make the best of every day that’s given to you. It’s all a part of growing in this life. Enjoy this beautiful story.
A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, and takes great care of his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today. His wife of 70 years has recently died, and he is obliged to leave his home.
After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready. As he slowly walks to the elevator using his cane, the assistant describes his small room to him, including the curtain for the window.
‘I like it very much’, he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8-year-old boy who has just been given a new puppy.
‘Mr. Todd, you haven’t even seen the room yet. Hang on a moment, we are almost there.’
‘That has nothing to do with it, he replies. ‘Happiness is something I choose in advance. Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it.
‘It is already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up.
‘I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts that are still in working order.
‘Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up over my life.
‘Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way. So the advice to you is to deposit all the happiness you can in your bank account of memories.’
Remember these simple guidelines for Happiness:
Free your heart from hate.
Free your mind from worry.
Live simply.
Give more & Expect less.
