You don't have to climb mountains or do backflips on balance beams to inspire others

Just last week, I saw a Facebook post about 108-year-old French pianist Colette Maze who still plays classical piano. She practices four hours a day to improve her performance. She is getting ready to cut a new album.

Then I read about Rose Vanderhoof, of Ashford, Washington, 78, who became the oldest woman to summit Mount Rainier, the 14,400-foot volcano that towers over the western part of the state.

Then, of course, Johanna Quaas, a 98-year-old gymnast, shows up online on a balance beam doing Olympic-type feats.

Just recently, I read about Everett Kalin, a 93-year-old who climbed Half Dome in Yosemite. He made the climb with his son and granddaughter.

I love these stories and stand in awe of their discipline, stamina and fortitude, but they do not inspire me.

I certainly admire them, am amazed at their accomplishments and believe they should be applauded for their abilities. But I never was interested in gymnastics, piano (I did last five years) or climbing mountains, so I am not motivated to attempt anything remotely like them.

As a matter of fact, they make me feel like a lazy bum.

These kinds of superstars are few and far between. We think of them as anomalies in the senior population. Age is precisely what makes them stand out as great stories to bring to the attention of news reports, Facebook posts, Instagram, etc. They do deserve a big round of applause. They are hall-of-famers.

But I can tell you some of the people that do inspire and motivate me to do what they do. These are people whom I want to emulate. Of course, they don’t have names I even remember, and if I did share them, they would be embarrassed.

A few examples of the Elders that inspire me are people who volunteer in our community. They choose to give their time away to others. Then there are others who are trying their best to bounce back after an illness or injury. You’ll find hundreds of them in rehab facilities working their tails off.

I’m moved by older couples walking down the street holding hands. It looks so tender, but they may just be holding each other up.

Some Elders choose to donate their bodies after death for the benefit of future medical advances.

I am inspired by people who choose to downsize their homes to take the burden off their children.

I admire older people who go on a healthy diet and exercise plan and stick to it.

I love hearing about Seniors writing their memoirs instead of just talking about it.

I admire people willing — not necessarily happily — to give up their car keys when their kids tell them it is time.

I’m inspired to see widows and widowers move on with their lives and thrive, even though it’s painful.

Come to think of it, I’m inspired by Seniors who are happy and spread positive energy wherever they go.

So just remember you don’t have to climb a mountain, be a concert pianist or gymnast to be inspirational. You can be your best self.

We’ll be the ones applauding the superstars, but they won’t make us feel any less important.

Find Connie’s book, “Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging,” at www.justnowoldenough.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: You don't have to climb mountains or do backflips to inspire others