Observing
a retirement community often allows an individual to observe different perspectives
on living. Almost every day one sees people dealing with changes in life. That
which was so common in one’s earlier days seems like a dream fading upon the
dawning of another day. Things which formerly brought pleasure seem to diminish
as limitations arise which were not factors in the recent past. People that
enriched one’s life are no longer as close as they once had been. Mobility,
mortality, or a multitude of time-consuming activities now filling one’s life seem
to restrict those connections. Now saying, “What’s on the calendar for the
day,” means what doctor’s appointments do I have, or whose funeral service am I
to attend today?
Pursuits that once occupied one’s time are
either beyond one’s physical capability, or are no longer available options, or
cease to generate the same interest they once did. The mountains that were once
exciting to climb now pose obstacles (Are they handicapped accessible?). The occupation
once motivating them to get out of bed in the morning now is a finished phase
of life (We did get the gold watch and retirement cake, didn’t we?). Frankly,
pursuits of the past are not the preoccupation of the present.
Passions that once drove individuals have
slipped on the list of priorities. A comfortable bed at 10:00 PM seems much
more appealing than watching the conclusion of Monday Night Football. Who cares
which football team of millionaires will win a game micromanaged by instant
replays! Acquiring more antiques perhaps was once enjoyable. Now such an
activity seems more of a hassle as one considers the inevitable task of
downsizing one’s possessions or placing a burden upon heirs who really don’t
want the antique collection and is now tasked with liquidating the items.
Individuals with such perspectives groan
frequently about life. The chief reason is they are looking backward to the
past and consider now what they cannot do. Heightening such feelings is the
constant focus upon bad news that only accelerates the descent into a groaning
despondency. The 24/7 news cycle frankly does not elicit positive perspectives.
It just adds more negativity into one’s life. Too often the newscasters
intentionally spin a news item in such a way that is bleak so that viewers with
keep checking in to see if things have gotten better or worse. Consider too how
preoccupied individuals have become with the Weather Channel. They become
depressed on a beautiful day with the prospect of a storm that may or may not
occur in five days. The forecasters do not emphasize the beautiful days. They
stress the storms, saying, “Check back with us for further updates on this
developing storm.” Perspectives can be influenced by what one focuses upon.
The Apostle Paul was not blind to living
in a difficult and changing world. In fact, he said on one occasion, “While we
live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh” (2 Cor. 5:4 NLT). He
had endured a difficult life saying, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers
and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were
crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would
never live through it. In fact, we expected to die.” (2 Cor. 1:8-9 NLT).
His perspective, however, was not a defeatist one. He focused upon something
that encouraged him. He wrote, “We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to
rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger,
and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will
continue to rescue us.” (2 Cor. 1:9-10 NLT). Focus changed
perspective and perspective changed the way he lived a difficult life. Looking
back, he could have descended into a groaning despondency. However, he chose to
look above and ahead, and this perspective changed everything.
Paul did groan in a positive way. He also
wrote that looking ahead he groaned for the future he had before him, saying,
“We will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and
not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on
our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (2 Cor. 5:1-2 NLT). He longed,
even groaned, to put off his temporary body and enjoy what God had prepared for
him. Perspective can be positive in the present, even if difficult, when one
focuses upon the future that God has prepared for us.
There are numerous older folks in
retirement communities that are groaning. Some groan because they are focused
upon past and present difficulties. Others groan in a positive way and see
beyond where they are and focus upon the future they have before them. Maybe it
is time for all of us to have an altered perspective as we live our lives – no
matter our age!
