Director's Message
Spirituality March 2010
The Princeton Senior Resource Center--as most non-religious organizations that try to be inclusive of the diversity of this community--does not usually address spiritual issues. But I think we are missing a critical aspect of holistic healthy aging (along with physical, mental and emotional health) if we ignore the spiritual dimension. Before I lose readers who have had a bad experience with organized religion, let me say that spirituality includes our core values and beliefs, where we find meaning, and what gives us quality of life. “Spirituality is about our existence, relationships with ourselves, others and the universe. It is something we experience and requires abstract thinking and will. Spiritual development provides us with insight and understanding of ourselves and others…the function that integrates all other aspects of personhood…and is often seen as a search for meaning in life. Spirituality extends beyond the physical, material and self to a state called transcendence.” I submit that one’s later years are fertile ground for deepening spirituality. Each of us needs to find ways to nurture the spirit within us, just as we feed our bodies and our minds with exercise, nutrition and cognitive stimulation. In fact it is often the spirit that perseveres when the mind and body have failed, and the spirit that lingers in the memories of those who remain. In this vein, it is important for us to acknowledge the spirit inside a person with dementia or diminished abilities. Spiritual awareness grows with experience and wisdom. Without some of the challenges of life, we do not reach deep within or far outside of ourselves to find meaning or comfort. We may find a greater need to have an active spiritual life when we get older as we find ways to cope with the loss of spouse, family, friends, physical and mental abilities, or the activities that gave our lives a sense of purpose and identity. We encounter more things we cannot explain, the wonders and mysteries of life, from the intense feeling of love for a baby to the first bud of spring. We are more likely to have had a transcendent experience, and to be shifting our focus from material things to satisfaction with life. As we age, we find ourselves thinking more about questions like “what comes after death?” or “what is quality of life?” that cause us to re-examine the values and beliefs we have known for a lifetime. One might ask “where can I find meaning and purpose with the limitations I now have?” or “where do I find the reserve to go on through this grief or deal with this illness?” I think these questions compel us to connect with our spirituality. It may also be true that as we age, we find more time for inner reflection and spiritual practice: meditation, contemplation, reflection, solitary walks…. Some find themselves turning more to spiritual sources for strength and guidance, especially when the sources they relied on earlier in life are not available. Others find people to share the exploration with, or readings that have particular meaning. We can find new opportunities to share our wisdom and be mentors and respected elders to those who are just starting out. Expressing our spirit by helping others is one way to attain personal satisfaction, comfort, and peace. Each of us wants to identify a legacy, the mark on the world that will live on after we are gone. How can we get more comfortable with this vital spiritual side of ourselves, so that we find the personal answers that will give comfort and certainty in troubled times, so that we can release the depression, anxiety and fear that are so pervasive today? Can we begin to challenge the culture that denies aging and admonishes us not to talk about politics or religion with family and friends? I believe it is critical to nurture our spirits, continuing to seek deeper understanding, throughout the lifespan. Susan W. Hoskins, LCSW Institute for Spirituality and Aging website cas.umkc.edu/casww/sa/spirituality.htm (quoting Twycross 1988 and Thibault 1991)
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |