AGEING HAPPILY –
Finding that Hidden Treasure!
Everytime I visit my family in Australia, I write my grandchildren a little book about finding the “Hidden Treasure” illustrated with photos of them and the family taken randomly throughout the year. I weave a story around the photos about a treasure hunt, and leave them wondering where they’ll find the hidden treasure. We talk about where we could possibly find it and eventually, we dig up the “treasure” filled box that I’ve carefully hidden in the garden, beach or any other easily accessible spot (that is not in breach of any of the Australian bi-laws) The mystery has been solved and they rush off to enjoy the treasure.
The game gives everyone a thrill of happiness, and that’s what it’s all about. Nothing more complicated than spreading a bit of fun and happiness that will be remembered for years to come.
Happiness is something that evades many people in my generation – the wonderful, creative, explorers of the universe, the ground-breaking Baby Boomer Generation. We’re now in our fifties and sixties, and the first year of the Boomers – those born in 1946, will turn 70, the grand old three score years and ten – this year (2016). We’re usually the ones being diagnosed with dread diseases – mostly environmentally driven – and we’ve become a strain on the economy and our families. This will only get worse. By 2030, one if five Americans, for instance, will be over 65, placing a huge strain on their social welfare system. It is pretty much the same in other first world countries.
We have shaped the cultural landscape for sixty years – and have gone through some turbulent times in the process. As non- conformists, we have fought for economic, social and political equality for disadvantaged groups and joined anti war up risings – wherever we were raised. Some of us dropped out and became hippies. My kids – in their 30’s, still refer to me as a Hippie, altho I can’t say I earned my Hippie stripes. True Blues lived in communes, experimented with drugs, refused to join the army, went on the pill and enjoyed being part of the “free-love” generation.
Once we gave up on shaking cages and shouting against the wind, we got down to some solid hard work, most of us becoming financially secure and working hard on a retirement plan. What many of us didn’t do, was take a long hard look at our health and start working towards a dis-ease free retirement.
The question is, do we want to tank through the rest of our lives relying on Eno’s, walking sticks and adult nappies, or do we want to breeze through it happily, with all our marbles firmly in place? Health should never be taken for granted. Good health breeds happiness.
Happiness is the hidden treasure – find it, it’s out there!