Two Harris Teeters are walkable from The Asylum. Both involve some hills. Almost every walk from here involves a hill. But, I feel that getting out of The Asylum and walking or bussing (which will involve walking) at least 5 times a week is essential. Since I love grocery stores, I can usually lure myself out to Trader Joe’s or one of the Harris Teeters. A trip to any of them is roundtrip, about 2.5 miles. And I also try for a couple of speedy walks of a mile or so.
But, and this is one of the dirty little secrets of being old… It is getting harder and harder to keep up the pace and distance. I don’t know why it surprises me. But it does. After I returned from my trek to Harris Teeter at noon, I was perfectly happy to do absolutely nothing except read all afternoon.
Which makes me think about my Northwest Passage adventure in late summer. They promise two off-ship excursions per day. Not sure that my old bones will be up to that. Perhaps I should acquire some waterproof binocs and plan on spending the afternoon in the hot tub doing some wildlife spotting.
Old age is all about accepting things that one can not change.
Oh, and I would like to learn how to be patient. That seems like a large undertaking at my age. Wonder what chatGPT has to say about that?
Becoming more patient in your 80s may require a shift in perspective and some intentional changes in your habits and mindset. Here are some strategies you can try:
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- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness regularly, you can become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and learn to manage them better.
- Cultivate gratitude: Cultivating a sense of gratitude for the people and things in your life can help you develop a more patient attitude. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your life and appreciate the small things that bring you joy.
- Take breaks: If you find yourself getting frustrated or impatient, take a break and do something calming or enjoyable. This could be a hobby you enjoy, listening to music, or going for a walk.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to impatience. Even light exercise like walking or stretching can help.
- Practice empathy: Try to put yourself in other people’s shoes and understand their perspective. This can help you develop more patience and compassion for others.
- Set realistic expectations: It’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself and others. Recognize that things may take longer than you expect, and try not to get too worked up when things don’t go according to plan.
- Learn to let go: Accept that some things are beyond your control and learn to let go of things you can’t change. This can help you avoid frustration and impatience.
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Remember, developing patience is a process, and it may take time to see progress. Be patient with yourself and keep working on these strategies consistently over time.
I don’t think I can do this. Think I’ll: Accept that some things are beyond your control and learn to let go of things you can’t change. I am not a patient person. It will be easier to accept that than try to change.