Guest: Our golden years are the perfect time to pursue new activities
We are ending the first quarter of the new year, and I hope that many of you are realizing new opportunities to engage your minds and reignite your former passions while even finding new ones. I shared in a previous article that it is quite possible to lead an active senior life. Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Your age should never dictate how vivacious of a life you lead. In fact, your golden years are perfect for the pursuit of numerous exciting activities you most likely never had sufficient time in the past to partake in and explore.
A notable way of staying very active may be finally taking the step of opening your own business. For those who are possibly interested in stretching their entrepreneurial muscles, there are two outstanding local organizations known as SCORE (www.score.org) and REI Oklahoma (www.reiok.org) that are always eager to assist with such endeavors. Both organizations help future entrepreneurs of all ages, specifically those 50+, by offering classes, programs and mentors at no cost. SCORE mentors know what it’s like to be a small business owner. They have a community of experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers and executives who are ready to help seniors start and grow their own businesses. Additionally, whether you are looking to start a new business or fund a startup or expansion, REI Oklahoma provides business guidance and plenty of information regarding how to gain access to start-up funds. They have done the groundwork for you and have located the necessary resources needed to take those first steps.
Another outlet for pursuing an active senior life would be participating in the Oklahoma Senior Games, formerly known as the Senior Olympics. This is a huge coordinated event operating in every state, providing a variety of competitions in different categories from ages 50 to 100+ years old. The Oklahoma Senior Games allow you to be active mentally and physically by offering challenging aerobic and anaerobic exercises and sporting activities. Activities range from golfing, swimming and weight lifting to less physical activities, such as bowling, line dancing, croquet, cornhole and pickleball. This is not just a casual, unchallenging event, but rather the participants advance through levels from preliminaries to district level and ultimately to national competition. This is a highly sponsored and supported event by major corporations. The Oklahoma Senior Games also provide extensive opportunities for networking and socialization for seniors. Lifelong friendships have been spawned among participants during the course of such events. And it's an opportunity to improve your health, emotionally and physically.
As much as you want to live an active senior life, it is also important to be prepared and have all your ducks in a row. VillagesOKC is a nonprofit organization that connects seniors to valuable resources in the greater Oklahoma City area. One of its programs is “The GIFT,” which stands for Gathering Information For Transition. Unfortunately, life is filled with unexpected events and situations for which anyone could be easily caught off guard and unprepared. VillagesOKC asks the often uncomfortable question: Do you have a plan for the unexpected? For those who can afford the membership fee, the interactive workshop guides you through 12 key areas impacted by life-changing events, such as a move, crisis or any transition in small-group forums led by professionals. These workshops elicit crucial information to make quality and timely decisions to secure you and your family’s future. “The GIFT” engages seniors with other seniors, providing not only financial information and security but also socialization and networking opportunities. VillagesOKC also can provide transportation to and from these activities.
My greatest hope for everyone reading about living an active senior life would be that you remain open to at least one or more opportunities to enrich and invigorate your life. There is no reason to let anything slow you down or inhibit you from accomplishing your dreams, achieving your goals or expanding your horizons. As I have said before, you’ve only just begun!
Robin Gunn is the owner of The Oklahoma Senior Journal. She can be reached at rgunn@okseniorjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Don't let age dictate your life: There's still time to be active
