The Can't Opener

Knowing many older people because I am one of them, sometimes mystifies me. Many have both feet on solid "now" ground, while the majority does not. I realize that aging isn't easy and that it takes a great amount of courage even though it is perfectly natural, but I believe that one should make an attempt to keep up. We are old sure, but not stupid and the experience that we have gained in life whether it is appreciated adequately or not, always remains personally useful. We can use our own experience as once active persons, to enrich our own lives. It doesn't mean donning a yoga outfit and begging heart failure in risk-taking exercises and adventures. It means keeping  open minds. Recently, I heard someone of an age, say that she didn't read the news or pay attention to "what's going on now" because it is too depressing and she "can't do anything about it anyway". First of all, the past wasn't exactly joyful an existence with its poverty and wars, it's lack of social services and accommodation for the elderly. While things aren't perfect now, they're not impossible. We must be patient. Changes to assist the aging population can't happen overnight and tax bases have to be created to meet the costs. To sit about and grumble while we see all around us, development that makes homes for people, social services expanding in spite of criticism and our young people going out into the world with huge education loans to pay down along with the stresses of modern day work ethics is irresponsible. We can start doing "something" by using our one vote. That's all anyone has, and it is precious. When forty percent of the population deliberately refuses to use their franchise for flimsy reasons, they have no moral right to make a single valid complaint about The Government. The Government is what we elected or didn't bother to. It's all we have to manage our precious dollars and it can't be an easy job with rampant criticism and hectoring. Then there is the advent of electronics in a society where land lines are a joke and socializing includes eye flicking and thumb action on a tiny screen. Yakking about it, won't change things and you know what they say? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Why not do just that? Learning to use a cell phone is the easiest thing on the planet. If you want your land line, ignore the tongue flappings and do what you wish, but try a cell phone. It's a best friend in an emergency. You have help, should you fall, right there. A computer is another wonderful friend that will take you wherever you wish and do your business and offer entertainment and education unlike any other item for the same price. All this and you don't have to leave home. The time some elders spend grouching about computers and their ilk, would be best spent in learning how to use them for their benefit. Teachers are out there hoping you will give it a try. Find someone who doesn't dump the whole lesson on you in one shot. It takes a while to find and make a good friend and it takes the same patience and time to learn how to use electronics. Once you have learned how to use a computer, all the rest follows easily. The only people I know who were not successful at it, were the ones who really didn't want to learn. It's up to you. Be in the world. Or not?