Tips from a babyboomer

By Marie Tan-Hancock 

 Being 60 is the new 8teen. Well, it depends of how you feel about your age. Here are a few tip suggestions that may work for you when you're over 60. The Millennials, Gen X and Z, are welcome too, ....to live and to learn as well. 

1. Be mindful.  

When we were younger, in our prime, we didn’t care where we were going and where we would end up when the clock strikes at 12 am. Yep, we have that attitude, like "who cares." 

But everything changed. I learned as I grew. But at 60, it's a different time when we learn to do the opposite. To some of us, we are more careful and cautious about everything and everyone. Mindfulness is being focused on what's going on right now with our environment, our feelings, our bodies, in our walking and eating. Be mindful of over-using the social media. Let's be mindful in the present of how we spend our time and talent.

2. Be spiritually inclined.

When we are fortunate, we have still 40 more years to live to be future centenarians. Sometimes, that's not the way will be. No one knows how far life will take us toward the next level. We have to just take care not only of our bodies, but  also our spiritual life. 

3. Help others.

It's up to you how you would like to help others. There are thousands of ways to love our neighbors. Generosity is one of our amazing traits. However, let's give without expecting anything in return. We have to remember that charity covers a multitude of sins.

4. Make it simple.

When you obsess on a lot of material items to choose (bags, shoes, jewelry, cars and wardrobes, to mention a few), you're not that simple. Simple people have only a few needed items to choose from. As I got a little bit older, I became no longer interested in gathering more things and filling up my closets, cabbies and cupboards. Rather, my goal every day now is to let go of the stuff that I don't need and I don't care about any more. I choose to give my old stuff to my relatives back home, donate them to the homeless and women's shelters, orphanages, charitable foundations, and foster homes.

I prepare my foods in the most simple way.  I eat and crave less of the foods that are not good for me. I don't go to gyms, I just move around.

5. Stop chasing the wind.

My competitive years are over. At a very young age, I always wanted to do the things I loved even until today. As I grew older, I still do but I let go of professional competition, comparing myself to others, aspiring to be validated and gathering more material things. I stopped going after the stuff that can ruin my spirituality (wealth, titles, status, and pleasures). Success to me is something that lasts, not just fleeting or fading. Rather, the things that pleases God and are good for our souls. I keep finding myself and sharing my good and my gifts to others.

6. Forgive and forget

To many individuals,  to forgive is easy to say but it's hard to do. As we age, it's not good to carry a lot of loads on our back. We have to let others go and send them our love when they leave. No one can force anyone when to forgive, but let us be willing to forgive and forget. Over 60, our time is precious. Life has a lot of fun experiences, but nothing will last forever. Free yourself from anger.

7. A few friends 

As I reach the age of over 60, I don't hang around with many friends. I stick with a few who make me laugh, who still keep in touch, keep me posted, lift me up and share the same passion with me. It's not about the quantity and popularity that is important like when we were younger. It's about building relationships, improving the lives of others, and loving our families unconditionally (our siblings, spouses, children, grandchildren and significant others). 

8. Pray without ceasing.

Prayer is power. Let's pray for everyone and for everybody in need. The world needs love and through our prayers we can make a difference. God hears us. God is everywhere. When Sunday comes, don't forget to go to church and celebrate your blessings from above.

9. Be grateful.

You can only be fully happy when you're grateful for what you have. Appreciate your blessings every day (the help you've received from the kindness of others, the foods on your table, the roof over your head and a beautiful home full of love). 

10. Be the light.

A smile can light up the whole world around you... a good act of compassion extended to others. A phone call or text to friends, and family who are sick and sad. A hug for the unloved can give them warmth. A visit to the sick and elderly. Give meal to the hungry.  Give clothes to those in need. Charity begins at home.

Marie Tan-Hancock has written several self-published psycho-spiritual healing books, which she refers to as "tiny books on healing". She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University. 

Self-published books

Spirited Simplicity: A guide to living a lifestyle that is "candid, bold, spirit-filled, profound, devoted, to the point, powerful, peaceful". It is inspired by her own journey after chronic illness led her to leave medical school.

The Healing Power of the Magic Words

The Healing Scoop of Wits

My Papa: Keep Moving or Die

Behind Every Closed Door: Healing the Family, and One Way Traffic: Grow Old Young