Hi Everyone, hope you are well.
I only have 3 weeks left in my nursing job and its starting to hit me that it really is happening now!!!
Yesterday during my break I really reflected on all the things I am going to miss. One of the aspects I am going to miss most is the frequency of seeing people from the older generation.
People from the older generation (to me that is) brighten up my day. They love to chat as much as me and sometimes I may be the only one they have spoken to all week, so I feel its important to give them this time. I like to ask them about things from their past and more often than not you see their eyes twinkle and a smile creep up on their face. Whatever I ask them, they are always so forthcoming with their answers. Not once has anyone said …”its none of your business or you are very nosey”… they seem happy and grateful for the time to talk.
The older generation are a wonderful source of worldly wisdom….they always know the best thing to get a stain out, they always have a great analogy that helps you to understand the world better, they are resilient….they give you that inspiration that you can get through anything. They have so many life experiences that you can trust them wholeheartedly in their advice. I totally look up to these wonderfully wise people and feel grateful that I get to see so many on a daily basis.
As well as all their wisdom …its GRATITUDE that I see shining out of them.
Obviously due to their age they have lost many loved ones but you can see how grateful and thankful they are for their friends and family that they do have. They focus on what is here and now and make the most of what they have. It is rarely apparent that they dwell on the past….they talk about the present or the future…. how they are going to their daughters for dinner on Sunday or that they are enjoying all the spring flowers popping up and how thankful they are for their Zimmer frame or walking stick. It seems that they are grateful for all the small aspects of their life and this is brilliant ….do you know why?
There is scientific proof that gratitude has so many benefits for psychological, social and emotional well being and the best thing…..is that it is available to everyone. Everyone has the ability to be grateful for something.
Portraying gratitude helps us to make new positive neural pathways that enhances serotonin and dopamine production, helps to regulate cortisol production ( stress hormone) and by repetitive practice we can strengthen the positive pathways so we find it easier to focus on the positive aspects of our life more frequently and therefore minimises negative habits, thinking and emotions.
Writing a gratitude journal everyday or by being mindful of what we have surrounding us in our day to day lives helps to increase and improve:
Happiness
Positivity
Compassion
Self Confidence
Resilience
Motivation
Coping Skills
Self Esteem
Sleep patterns.
For only 20 minutes of your day the positive effects are huge….why don’t you give it a go today!!!
And remember not to fear getting old as we can be truly grateful for our lives so far and what we have ahead of us xxx
All the best
Much love Vix