Tuesday, June 30, 2026
I hope the poems I read in the class this month have motivated you to read more poems. Here is a link to mindful poetry for you to explore: https://cih.ucsd.edu/mindfulness/mindful-poetry
I thought you may want to know that by the age 85 and older, about a third of people have dementia. Prevention is the most powerful antidote to the illness. You can’t prevent something you cannot see and dementia is one such illness. It increases exponentially after age 65. The mental decline is linked to lifestyle: physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, social isolation, poor sleep, lack of mentally stimulating activities and misuse of alcohol. All opposites of the eight good habits we’ve been reading about and hopefully practicing.
Prevention should start early. Our Ashby Ponds community may be retired but it has not quit on life. We participate in activities that are joyful and stimulating. We stay engaged. We maintain a sense of purpose by continuing to learn, discover and complete tasks. We see our life as having meaning, a sense of purpose. This is active aging!
In order to know the “reason for my being” or “purpose of my life,” you must first accept yourself as you are with all your wholesome as well as unwholesome attributes and habits. You have charted a weekly program of the eight disciplines: M & J, good sleep, nutritious meals, exercise, socializing, creative projects, reading and sense of purpose. These are essentials for mental well-being. Whatever you find joyful and meaningful, go ahead and do it. The best person to guide you is you!