Interests keep us interesting.

Interests keep us engaged and keep our minds active.

I is also for Internet – which means you can still pursue interests and be part of a community even if getting out and about becomes more challenging while aging.

Have you ever met an older person who spends all their time with you going over their past and talking about themselves (and people they know but you don’t) and never once asking about you and your life? And when you do get a chance to talk and update them with what you are doing, they can’t ever get it straight or remember what you told them (because they weren’t really listening, I think). I have met some people like this.  I hear the same stories every time I visit. And I smile and nod and listen patiently and plan my escape.

I’m not 100% sure why this happens but I think a lot of it has to do with being housebound and spending too much time watching drivel on TV. We turn inward instead of staying engaged and outward-focused.

I never want to be that old person.

My mother was never that old person. My stepdad is not that old person.

I hope that by pursuing various interests (of which I have an unlimited supply, it seems some days) I can escape that fate.

If not, I hope my kids are around to notice and then kick my ass (or at least get me to shut up).

Rock on,

The WB