Contentment and thanks

Older people report higher levels of contentment than teenagers and younger adults. They are resilient. They set realistic goals. The paradox of old age is that as people’s minds and bodies decline,they feel better. In memory tests, they recall positive images better than negative; under functional magnetic resonance imaging, their brains respond more mildly to stressful images than the brains of younger people.

The secret is to spend energy on the things one can still do that brings satisfaction, not to dwell on what one had lost to age. It is time to be wild, but in a friendly, considerate way that does not harm others. It is a time to be thankful.

I would like to take this moment to thank Trish for everything she has given me, including a lovely lab coat to wear in the workshop.

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2 Replies to “Contentment and thanks”

  1. Hi Brock
    I enjoyed reading your blog and certainly agree!! Now that I’m almost 70 (within a few days) I realize and appreciate the fact that at this age we certainly look at life from a different perspective and must say that it makes me realize the importance of enjoying each day to the fullest. I hadn’t seen any postings from you on Facebook for a while and was hoping that we could stay connected. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts and news of your adventures and what’s keeping you busy and interested. Take good care. Darlene

    1. Thank you, Darlene, and Happy Birthday. Perhaps, now, you will have time to visit us in Norway. You can always reach me privately at: brock@mclellan.no

      Yes, I have stopped using Facebook, more or less. The main reason is a desire to work towards a more equal and harmonious world, which is contradictory to supporting large multinational corporations. Facebook, with their like button, ensures that people only interact with others with similar attitudes. At one level this is very comforting, but it also means that opinions go unchallenged, since one ends up preaching to a very conformist community. It is almost like looking in the mirror, except one only sees a youthful face, rather than one populated with wrinkles.

      At the moment, I am spending time getting my own personal woodworking workshop (called, Unit One) working properly. This is very analogue in its approach, and in many ways represents an ideal from the mid 1960s, with a lot of electric tools. In addition I have my computing interests, which include single board computers and microprocessors with a focus on home and workshop automation.

      I am also active in getting a more digital workshop (called, Hastighet = Velocity) established in a re-purposed school in our municipal centre. Here the approach is more 21st century, with equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, and a greater diversity in materials: wood and metal, textiles and electronic components. This workshop has just received about CAD 40 000 in funding for equipment purchases. In addition, the municipality is providing three former classrooms and two group rooms at no charge.

      While I may be working at Hastighet up to one day a week for the next year, I also want Unit One to be a basis for social interaction, including the training of people who could become a danger to themselves or society.

      As I age, I see the tool set in my private workshop and computer interests changing and merging. In five years, I hope to be building my own CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines, and to be working more with robotics, probably with a focus on assistive machines for the elderly. Until then, I have more than enough projects that require conventional equipment. The gardener needs a purpose built shed. The cook needs an improved (some would say remodelled) kitchen. Windows need to be replaced. A winter garden would be fun. I would like to try my hand at replacing the wooden exterior siding with a bright yellow stucco. The ladies I work with on the local board of Friends of the Earth have expressed a desire to make a geodesic dome greenhouse, and do some work with hydroponic gardening.

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