Thank you so much for sharing I'm disabled for 22 yrs and am reaching my golden age So it's wonderful to know that I'm not alone in how to grow old gracefully and find happiness in your older years
Hi Ebert. Thank you for posting this. As I transition to older age, it is very useful to gain insight from others on how they continue to thrive and enjoy life.
Greetings Ebert, I want to thank you for taking time to share your thoughts on the topic of maintaining a purpose in life in the senior years. I wanted to find information on seniors sharing their thoughts on life and how to maintain life choice in later years and could not find much content at all. There is lots of information written by experts and family members about what seniors need.....but I wanted to hear, and I think more people in general need to hear, from seniors themselves. Thank You~
Wow. What a great video. This was posted almost 7 years ago. I wonder if Ebert is still alive. God Bless him either way. Thank you for posting this and inspiring others. Doug 56 years old.
i enjoyed listening to you talk about still having a purpose in life every day and not just to take your pills. I think its important for caregivers to realize that just because your older now, you still want the same thing you always wanted before, a purpose. we are all the same, age doesn't matter, we all still need a purpose and to feel needed and valued. thank you for taking your time to share with us.
Brother E, I’m in my 60’s this is very inspirational, I’m still involved with the military with over 40 years as there are not many of us with my unique skillset. I am still bodybuilding and in better shape than my colleagues and 80 percent of my gym buddies. I hate that I have to rely on pills to get through the day it is what it is. The key is to rekindle the former passions you had in life. I am back to playing heavy metal guitar and back to drawing. Trying to get consistent, I am also reading lots of books, I am getting much more spiritual and also I volunteer at religious couples retreat with my wife Karen and every Sunday we bring the Joy of God at the nursing home. My wife keeps me very socially engaged as many of our friends are 15-20 years younger and bring youth and vitality. My wife wants me to retire but it hard putting a warehouse into pasture, I do worry by retiring I don’t really have a purpose. First retirement from the military was hard. Anyways not to show. Off or anything or put my self on a pedestal it is encouraging you all that is seniors count. always looking forward to my next chapter in life.
Thank you Ebert for sharing! Although I'm fairly young at twenty-one years of age, I do think a lot about how I want to spend my life, worrying that I may look back and regret it. Purpose is definitely crucial. I wish you all the best!
Hi, Eliane, When I was your age many of life's tasks were more or less thrust upon me - finishing college, thinking about a career, finding a life partner, etc. When I had completed most of those tasks I found myself looking more deeply for meaning. By the time that I really started digging, I was 39 and had undergone some great disappointments. So the search for meaning was both urgent and rich with experiences to ponder. I worked hard to make a life pan, modified it several times during that first year, and then worked that plan every day. I am thinking that 39 is not too late to start thinking about meaning - it is a stage of life where you have a long road ahead and plenty of self-k owledge to work from.
It much easier to decide what you do not want to do. Accept happiness comes from within and much Joy is generated from giving (even just a smile) to make others lives better/easier. You will never have regrets then. And your purpose can change and be many different things as you travel through life. Do not get stuck worrying, get out there and do!
I’m in my mid fifties and am beginning to see changes all over my life . Starting to feel more and more invisible and yes maybe a growing sense of freedom in regards to my time. I’m very grateful for your video. I’d love to see more about how to transition into my senior years . How to deal with regrets and loss ect. How to find new interests. There’s numerous things I don’t want to cling to yet part of me feels abit panicked. Thank you for the videos👍
I don't know how to make a new group of friends. I live in a very small town. I've got some lung issues that keeps me from being real active. And Covid has nailed the coffin of isolation.
Stan, I'm in my 60's and I hear you about seeing lots of changes! Let me ask you this: if you never had to look in a mirror again, how old would you feel? I feel like I'm about 40. I'm still able to do a lot a things that I could do back then, and I think it's because I don't worry about how old I am. There are lots and lots of things I want to see and do in my life, and I purposely look for opportunities to do them. It keeps me young, lol! With the children grown, there is more time to do what I want. My husband is great about sharing this desire to make the most of life, and we both believe in learning for as long as we can. I think having God in our lives, prayer, and a belief that this earthly life is not all there is, keeps us going, most of all. I encourage you to make your bucket list, and get started on it. Maybe there were things in your career that you didn't get to do.... there's nothing wrong with experiencing them as a volunteer somewhere. After all, it's the experience you wanted right? Go to a tech school and offer to teach a class. Pass on what you know to others. Drive a scenic highway in your state that you've never driven on before - you'll be amazed at the creativity that will come to your mind. Like Nike says, just do it!!
Bex Becky, yes it can be difficult making new friends. But it can seem like an impossible mountain to climb if you think about it too much. Please read my response to Stan and think about a bucket list, teaching, exploring, volunteering, etc. When you start showing up at things you want to do, you'll be surprised how like minds flock together. Be brave and become comfortable doing some things alone - this way you don't have to go places you didn't really want to go, go and look at stuff that you didn't really want to look at. You plan your agenda with where you want to go, stop for refueling and/or to eat, and you'll be surprised how quickly you fill up a day. You may find you didn't allow enough time, so guess what? You've got somewhere to go the next time you're out and about! Doing these kind of "spontaneous" activities, I have had a blast - seeing art I hadn't even thought of before, hearing music, smelling unusual food or flowers or animals, painted a canvas for the first time ever, gone horse back riding, found a Victorian little town, volunteered to sell tickets at a local festival, fed the homeless, went to a Greek festival, found out I'm 47% Scottish and bought a length of our clan's tartan, fished high in the mountains of Colorado, etc. All that while being a wife, mother and grandmother and living in a tiny town in Oklahoma. I always return to my roots of my faith and my husband, and I continue to be blessed with love and fun. There are outdoor groups for women, teaching art studios, riding stables with well trained horses, women's weekend retreats, tour groups, church women's groups, volunteer organizations, schools to volunteer at, community recreation centers to volunteer at teaching classes, you name it. The point is, the only thing that will stop you from enjoying your life will be you if you don't take one step in being brave and purposeful. I know you can do this. Before you raise a "but..." I want you to think of all the disabled folks that you read about or see on TV that are INVOLVED in their life. You can be, too, with a little "I want to...." Don't let Covid or living in a small town be your reasons for not going. There's got to be a larger town not too far away. Bring your mask with you as well as a little bottle of hand sanitizer. I believe that the excuses I make up for myself for why I can't do something are really my blocks of a wall I don't want to go through in the first place. You have to decide if you are comfortable with the status quo as you are, or if you really want more and then act accordingly. If you don't really want to move on, just say that - it's OK. You may have found your happy place without realizing it. Hugs to you and enjoy your next decision!
Thank you for these thoughtful comments. I heard them last night on PBS as part of a documentary on Cyber-Seniors, but I wasn't paying full attention so searched for them today on You Tube and finally found your video. Now that I am retired and with few formal responsibilities, I have found myself asking the very questions that you address -- primarily "what good reasons do I have for getting up in the morning?" I do have some activities that I'm involved in, but think that I need more. It is good to know that there are other seniors who have the same thoughts and questions. Again, thank you for your contribution.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you're saying, and I'm in my 40s. I can see the difference in my older family members - there's a significant difference in mood and personality in the ones that have a purpose in life, and in the ones that have just kind of decided to lay down and wait for the end.
Thank you Ebert for sharing your words of wisdom and being such an inspiration to those young and older! I am Your daughter's Kim's friend from U of W and I was thrilled to view your video but more importantly listen to your message. You sure know how to live your life to the fullest. You are living proof of a Life Long Learner! It truly was inspirational and extremely refreshing. Take care Ebert and continue to live life to the fullest! xo Jane
As a workshop facilitator I was looking for a good short video to share with the older adult programs and found it very inspiring. Thank you for sharing
Ebert, you are an incredible soul. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I just watched the documentary randomly on Netflix as it caught my interest and just had to see what you were all up to on You Tube. Hope you stay inspired to make more videos. Thank you to the team of good folks that had this vision. "Be the change you want to see in the world" Thank you for you.
Hi Ebert. I came across the website for Cyber Seniors and then saw your video on their Facebook page. I really appreciate your wonderful insights and I think it's great you have learned these new computer skills. Best wishes.
Ebert, your words are inspiring; my parents fell down at their house a month ago, after that my Mom passed away a week ago at 85 and my Dad who is 90 got a broken hip. He had a successfull prosthesis surgery but he is not willing to move, take medication or try to get up, he is at his house with a nurse. There are good days when he agrees to sit down for 2 or 3 hours and do some little exercise but I think depression is gaining the race. I´m an only son and struggling with costs to mantain this situation; don´t know if it´s better to take a nursing home (which he hates) or to keep trying to make him progress, his temper is bad as hell
Thank you. Your video was an excellent summary of finding purpose and meaning. Our senior living facility is starting a community-wide emphasis and hopefully continuous program to help our residents find purpose and significance. Paul Arnold, Chaplain, Glacier Hills Senior Living, Ann Arbor, Michigan
I just saw the Documentary and I Love It So much! and that's Why I try to find this clip. Thank you very much for this video. It has a lot of meaning to me.
Hi Ebert! I love your video and the positive message of the importance to do things in life that are pleasurable and satisfying! I loved the story of your friend learning piano at age 81.
Wonderful, and so true! My grandmother -I think- lost her purpose in her last years, but before she went into a retirement home, she woke up at 6 am did her yoga and ran all her errands, she was always up and about! Nice video!
Thank you Elbert. Very true, must find a purpose and pursue or life slows down and becomes stale (if there is such a thing when referring to life!). Easy to become stuck and unsatisfied with living.
Hi Elbert, you sound great and your advice about adding our skills is so vital in our everyday life that I think I am going to learn to do Quicken. I can do it!
Thank you for sharing! Many times communication within the family on certain topics such as emotions, etc could be difficult to express. Your words helps me to understand my parents and grand parents as they grow older..
As we age, we can fall into the trap of feeling we are no longer of value. The culture and society tries to send you there as well. We can still serve God and serve others as best you can.
I’m hesitant to say this, but I raised primarily by my grandparents, bless their souls, and I owe them so much. I admit I’m a bit concerned for them because most of their retirement besides raising grandchildren is spent watching tv. Maybe they enjoy it, it’s relaxing, not too stressful, and maybe that’s completely fine (I enjoy that too) but I feel like we would expect more for our younger people, live with a bit more purpose, but maybe my grandparents already built their legacy through their family and careers, maybe they served their time and they should just rest and enjoy the time they have (I hope I can help them do that, sometimes I wish we spent more time learning from each other then watching our screens but there is a bit of a language barrier...)
Well done! I live in Brighton On. Did you mention having family here? I agree that we need purpose. Staying engaged is vital and it takes courage and lots of "spirit". I have taken a particular interest in this entire topic. I used to work in federal prisons and would always ask my students: What keeps you going? The answers to that question were always interesting. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Ebert, so right on!! My pets (2 kitty"s) help me to get up in the morning to feed them , brush them and clean the kitty box. That motivates me cause it gets me to not think of myself so much. I may look into the Skype thing you talked about as my family lives in other towns. Sending you a hug my friend, just to say thank you so much for making your video!!! For now, Flo
Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts as I am transitioning into my elder years and many of your points are concerns that I have about my own situation despite wanting retirement and being ready for it. Discovering that purpose may just take a bit of time.
Hi, I’m looking for advice. I don’t know if I can get it here but I think it’s worth a try. My grandmother is 86 years old. Since half a year she seemed to have changed completely. She used to be a very active person, participating in many activites such as dancing, singing in the curch and playing cards with her friends once a week. However she had to do a surgery on her hands and since then she she seemed to have lost something. She needed a household help to be able to recover her hand and has not been the same ever since. She is spending some time with me know but I don’t know what to do. When I ask her what she wants to do, she doesn’t know. When I ask her to go for a walk she refuses. She doesn’t want to read, nor draw. All she wants is spending the whole day at home sitting and not doing anything. I think she does not have a purpose in life. She does not know what to do or what she wants to do and her moods change from day to day. One day she is really talkative and the other day she just listens what you have to say and responds in a short manner. Do you have any advice how I should react or how I can give her something to do during the day as I feel she might be bored the whole time and just does not know what to do?
I’m very much alone. My husband of almost 50 years died on my 70th birthday this past year. On that day I also died inside. I stay in bed all day because I can’t see any reason to get up. I am totally alone in a different state and know no one. I had to sell everything my husband and I owned to pay off massive debt due to his Alzheimer’s. Now my standard of living is low and my income barely covers my rent. I feel doomed. No family nearby. Mo friends around. Just aching loneliness and an apartment that is loud with silence. I stay in bed all day and get up in the evening to listen to radio programs and You Tube for companionship. What a non-life.
Susan Stater, I’m so sorry for your loss of your husband. Is there a church nearby? Our church has a seniors group that gets together for all kinds of activities. Perhaps you could talk to someone at a nearby church or Senior Center about what kinds of opportunities there are for seniors.
Hello everyone 👋 my sweet grandmother is turning 80 this year and I am struggling to find the right gift for her. Our grandfather has passed and most of her friends are gone as well. She has been living on her own so she feels lonesome. Can you share some ideas, hobby like gifts, anything really to make her feel less lonely? 🙏🏼 thank you in advance..
enjoy your life, i guess is most important. do what you love to do. But from my personal perspective, i found it very pleasant to learn from the elder which i never had realy. so if you have knowledge or skills that younger do not have anymore...find some people who are interested. or creat your own community on the interwebs like on youTube and share your knowledge here. They will be always trolls and negative feedbacks. but those dont count. MORE ELDERS TO THE WEBS i say! share your wisdom.
Hi there! I am a recreational coordinator at a seniors home. I’m really looking to gain some insight from you. I hope this message finds you in health and happiness during this Covid pandemic.
