“Growing Old Gracefully”

“The fear of the LORD adds length to life...” (Proverbs 10:27 NIV).

When asked about the benefits of living to be 100 years old, one centenarian smiled and said, 'There's very little peer pressure.' As comical as that sounds, thanks to medical science we're living well into our eighties, nineties and beyond! But living longer means dealing with the realities of aging. 

Our youth-orientated culture often gives old age a bad image, BUT CLEARLY GOD DOESN’T AGREE! TO HIM, OLD AGE IS THE REWARD FOR A LIFE WELL-LIVED, A PRIVILEGE EARNED, AN ACCOMPLISHMENT WORTH CELEBRATING, AND WISDOM SHARED TO BENEFIT SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS!

 

Note how God sees aging. He views long life as EVIDENCE OF HIS FAVOR! He says, 'For by Me [Wisdom From God] your days shall be MULTIPLIED, and the years of your life shall be INCREASED.' (Proverbs 9:11 AMP). LONGEVITY, WITH ALL ITS ACHES AND PAINS, IS A BLESSING! 'The fear of the Lord ADDS LENGTH TO LIFE, but the years of the wicked are cut short.'

You say, 'But who will take care of me when I get old?' Don't worry, God will be there for you: 'Listen to me...I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFETIME-UNTIL YOUR HAIR IS WHITE WITH AGE. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you' (Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT). What an insurance policy! But, is there any real proof that He does? Well, Yes, just ask the Psalmist. 'Once I was YOUNG, and now I am OLD. Yet I have NEVER seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread' (Psalm 37:25 NLT). SAINTS, GOD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS, AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS! THEREFORE, IF HE PROMISED IT, HE WILL PERFORM IT!

The secret of aging well is staying young at heart, staying close to God, and staying fully engaged with life. Believe it or not, the mirror isn't your problem; how you see yourself is!

 

Have you noticed how 'young' some older people are, and how 'old' their peers seem? Seeking the elusive fountain of youth isn't the answer, nor is surrendering to time and fate. Rather, do these two things:

FIRST, BE REALISTIC! Nothing is sillier than a woman made up to recreate what she hasn't been for decades - except an older man in an unbuttoned shirt flashing jewelry intended to recreate the macho image of a lost youth! When you are comfortable with your age and stage of life, others will be too. Solomon points out that age decreases vigor, dims vision, slackens muscles, stiffens joints, whitens hair, and so on: (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5, “Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire. In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world. You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song. Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral.” MSG). Nope, that doesn’t sound very encouraging at all! Nothing about that screams ‘growing old gracefully’. However, it is a truth! You need to accept that what you looked like at 20 will be very different then 40 and different again at 60 and 80. And that’s ok! Be Realistic! You age, and so does your body!  But does that mean life is over? FAR FROM IT! Vitamins, exercise and a good attitude and good diet help, but you must still be realistic in order to handle aging with dignity. 

SECONDLY, KEEP GIVING! 'Be generous; invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others...' (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 MSG). Don't stop investing your energy and resources into God's Kingdom because you think it's time for the young folk to take over. If you do that, loneliness and depression will set in, and illness and death soon follow. When you shut the door, draw the curtains and isolate yourself, you're old at any age! But when you stay in the mainstream, give yourself to God and others, you'll stay young, at heart, all your life!

Ageing well also Requires that you STAY FLEXIBLE. The Bible says, 'Rain clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. If you worry about the weather and don't plant seeds, you won't harvest a crop' (Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 CEV). Listen, certain things are simply inevitable in life. Clouds bring the rain. Trees fall in a storm. Like the weather, circumstances arise that you can't control. Hazard-free living is a myth; every undertaking entails risk. 'If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break down a wall, a snake might bite you. You could even get hurt by chiseling a stone or chopping a log' (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 CEV). You say, 'At my age, I play it safe and take no chances.' However, avoiding risk guarantees missing what God has for you just ahead!

So how can you enjoy the final years of your life?  

DON'T AVOID; RATHER, ADJUST, ADAPT AND ADVANCE. But be practical; pace yourself! Will things take longer to do than when you were younger? Yes, your energy level may require more frequent breaks, but your advanced years allow you more time and less hurry than your frantic past. Slow down; embrace this opportunity to accomplish things you've never attempted.

 

Think about it: In his eighties, Rubinstein amazed audiences with his piano-playing skills. Gladstone became Britain's Prime Minister for the fourth time IN HIS EIGHTIES! John Wesley preached every day till he died at age 88! Moses led Israel at age 120! Caleb led his troops against an army of giants at 80, and won! Two-thirds of the world's greatest works of art were accomplished by people over age 65! SO DON’T LET A LITTLE RAIN, A FALLING TREE OR A POSSIBLE RISK STOP YOU! SOME OF YOUR GREATEST SEASONS COME WHEN YOU BECOME SEASONED! SO DETERMINE DAILY TO GROW OLD...GRACEFULLY!

Seniors, don't let fear dominate your latter years! Don't let life's 'unknowables', such as finances, health, loneliness, loss of friends and family members, get you down. The Bible says, 'Just as you’ll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does' (Ecclesiastes 11:5 MSG). There's much in life you'll never know, YET GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU THIS FAR! So, 'Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life...' (Proverbs 3:5-8 MSG). It's WHO, not what, you know that will prosper and protect you all of your days! Put the unknown into God's hand and trust Him with your worries. 'Sow your seed in the morning [your youthful years] and do not be idle in the evening [your older years]' because your evening and your morning sowing 'will succeed... both of them alike will be good.' (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB).  

ACTIVATE, DON'T VEGETATE! 

The word “Vegetate” means “to live or spend a period of time in a dull, inactive, unchallenging way.” And surely you didn’t survive all the years you have, through all the mess you have to simply exist in a dull, inactive and unchallenging way of life! One of the things my father told me from a very young age was when it’s his time to go, let him go! He would always say if the machines have to live for me, I’m not living at all! I’m simply existing like an extension cord attached to an outlet that gives limited power! Likewise, whether you’re fabulously 40, fiercely 50, sexy 60, superbly 70, extraordinary 80, knock-out 90 or even wonderful 100, Refuse To Exist, And Instead, Choose to LIVE! “...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till overflows).” (John 10:10 AMP). Or in the words of The Message Bible: “...I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” Seniors, Decide to Rejoice Every Day! “Celebrate God All Day, Every Day…” (Philippians 4:4 MSG).

General MacArthur said, 'Years may wrinkle the skin, but giving up interest wrinkles the soul. When the wires are down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and icy cynicism, then and only then, have you grown old.' So Determine to Add Joy to the Gift of Long Life! 

Let’s take a look at Ecclesiastes 11:8 in various translations:

“Even though people may live for many years, THEY SHOULD ENJOY EVERY ONE OF THEM…” (GW).

“Yes, if a man should live many years, LET HIM REJOICE IN THEM ALL…” (AMP).

“Even if you live to a ripe old age, YOU SHOULD TRY TO ENJOY EACH DAY…” (CEV)

“BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY YEAR YOU LIVE. NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU LIVE…” (GNT).

“However many years anyone may live, LET THEM ENJOY THEM ALL…” (NIV)

“When people live to be very old, LET THEM REJOICE IN EVERY  DAY OF LIFE.” (NLT)

“Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, DON'T TAKE A SINGLE DAY FOR GRANTED. TAKE DELIGHT IN EACH LIGHT-FILLED HOUR…” (MSG)

Are you starting to get the Message Yet?! LIVE, for however long, and enjoy each and every day to the fullest, not taking one for granted!

Now, it’s sad that I must say this, but I must, our culture venerates rock stars and sports figures, YET OFTEN MARGINALIZES ITS MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SEASONED PEOPLE! How foolish! AS GOD'S FAMILY, WE SHOULD TREAT ONE ANOTHER ACCORDING TO HIS VALUES! AND HE MOST CERTAINLY HIGHLY VALUES THE ELDERLY!

Consider how He wants us to regard our Elderly:

First, WE MUST HONOR THEM: 'STAND UP IN THE PRESENCE OF THE AGED, SHOW RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY AND REVERE YOUR GOD. I AM THE LORD.' (Leviticus 19:32 NIV).  

NOTICE: IT'S A COMMANDMENT, NOT AN OPTION! FAILING TO RESPECT THE ELDERLY IS FAILING TO RESPECT GOD; IT BEARS THE DIVINE, NOT THE CULTURAL SIGNATURE! 

So remember it and teach it to your children. 'GRAY HAIR IS LIKE A CROWN OF HONOR; IT IS EARNED BY LIVING A GOOD LIFE' (Proverbs 16:31 NCV). This is what GOD thinks of the Elderly AND YET WE ALLOW CHILDREN TO CURSE AND TALK DISRESPECTFULLY TO THEM, AROUND THEM AND ABOUT THEM! WE ALLOW TEENAGERS TO SIT ON A BUS, WHILE A CANE TOTING GRANDMOTHER STRUGGLES TO HOLD ON TO A BAR SHE CAN BARELY REACH! WE HAVE NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED THEM AGAINST THE VIOLENCE OF RAPE (AS SICK AS IT IS, IT IS STILL BEING CARRIED OUT EVEN AGAINST THE ELDERLY)! AND EVEN ROBBERY!  I COULDN'T TOUCH A PENNY ON MY GRANDMAMA'S DRESSER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND YET PEOPLE HAVE THE LOW DISREGARD TO ROB THE ELDERLY FOR THE LITTLE MONEY THEY HAVE SAVED! THE ELDERLY ARE EVEN GIVEN MERE CRUMBS TO LIVE ON AFTER GIVING HALF THEIR LIFE TO EMPLOYMENTS AND THE OTHER HALF TO RAISING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES! 

AND YET THESE ARE THE VERY SAME PEOPLE THAT GOD SAYS: "STAND UP IN THE PRESENCE OF THE AGED, SHOW RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY…”  

How did we get here?! What a sad commentary, whether saved or unsaved, that we’ve allowed the Respect for Our Elderly, the Ones in which GOD Himself Holds in such High Esteem, to so Carelessly Fall So Very Low! 

Do you know that the majority of hit and runs and busy intersections are mostly Elderly Victims? I wonder if it’s because we stand right next to them at the stoplight and don’t help them across the street! Today, determine to be more conscious of our Elderly. Give them a seat, help them across the street, ask if you can carry their bags, or even more personal, look them in the eyes, smile, and tell them, “I Value Your Life”!

Second, WE MUST ENCOURAGE THEM: AND KEEP IN MIND, ENCOURAGING THEM DOESN'T MEAN PATRONIZING, BABYING, OR DOING EVERYTHING FOR THEM! YOU DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM BY ROBBING THEM OF THEIR DIGNITY! THEY ARE NOT INVALIDS! THEY ARE NOT INCAPACITATED! 

My mother-in-law has crossed over into the extraordinary 80's club, and yet she still hops on a bus to get to where she needs to go, and even walked to work and crossed generations of children which she’s been doing for almost 40 years, until her retirement this year! So by no means assume that seniors have no life left in them! 

These behaviors destroy their dignity and disempower them. 

Encouraging them means believing in their God-given abilities and emphasizing their positive, productive qualities. It means motivating them to stay involved in significant service, not just busying them with meaningless and humiliating mundane tasks. 

They feel like they're making a difference when their skills and wisdom are recognized. 

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” (Henry Ford).  

Furthermore, stop throwing a hat on them, and sticking them on the first pew like antiques! Let them teach, preach, cook, be a part of the choir (and that’s not just the sanctuary choir either)! Let them on the liturgical dance ministry, you just might be amazed how many moves grandma’s still got!  

I think Oliver Wendell Holmes said it best: “To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.” 

Remember: Encourage them, Don’t Under-Estimate Them!

Third, WE MUST SUPPORT THEM: This includes financial and material assistance offered according to practical, biblical guidelines (1 Timothy 5:1-16). Failing here means we've '... denied the faith and [are] worse than an unbeliever' (v. 8 NKJV). Support means including them as a vital part of our family and church activities. Supporting them also requires that we regularly talk to God about them and their needs. Far too often we talk about and sing about the prayers of mama and grandma, BUT IT'S HIGH TIME THEY GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK AND SING ABOUT THE PRAYERS OF THEIR CHILDREN FOR THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS! Just like we made it through on mama’s prayers, MAMA WILL MAKE IT THROUGH ON OURS!

Live your life to the fullest as you Grow Old Gracefully, HOWEVER, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY GROWN OLD...GRACEFULLY!

TAKE CARE OF OUR ELDERLY THE SAME AS YOU WOULD WANT THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

“Seniors, You Are NOT Out of Service!”

Psalm 71:9, “And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t forsake me now when my strength is failing” (TLB)

If it’s one thing that drives me nuts being a New York City resident, it is out of service buses! Now, if you've ever spent a lot of time or any time, in the city, you may have had the experience of waiting for a bus. And that part really doesn’t bother me all that much. Many times in life we experience waiting, whether we like it or not. We have to wait at the supermarket, in the mall, at the ATM, at the gas station, at the doctor or dentist office, even for the church service to finally be over! So waiting isn’t foreign to many of us. However, when you've got a couple of packages in your hands to juggle, and it's freezing outside, not to mention some weird people are starting to cruise by for the second time (making you extremely nervous, after all, we are talking about the city here), but then suddenly you see the dim outline of a bus on the horizon! Relief sets in, you will finally (or should I say hopefully) be able to get on the bus and get a seat, you will be able to warm up a bit and sit your bags down to allow the blood to begin flowing again in your numb fingertips. Literally your heart leaps within you like a child on Christmas morning as you see the bus approaching! 

BUT, finally it gets close enough for you to read the sign on the bus, and there are three words that almost stop your heart from beating: "OUT OF SERVICE"! You have got to be kidding me! I’m obviously being punked, who would dare have a bus ride by a person holding a million bags, freezing, and waiting forever, just to have the bus show up with “OUT OF SERVICE” as its distressing sign? 

Who knew three little words could be so very discouraging?

That “OUT OF SERVICE” message on the bus reminded me of 2 Timothy 4:6-7, a very interesting valedictory on Paul's life. Now, if you've ever tried to ride a bus (especially in good ole New York City), you may know how it feels to need a vehicle and find out that it's “OUT OF SERVICE”. You know, not available for you to use? No matter how badly you need to use it! Well, God knows that feeling too.

And that takes us to Paul here at the end of his lifetime run. And truth is, he has every right to rest! I mean, he has served the Lord with all his heart. Listen to just a brief portion of Paul’s service to the Lord:

2 Corinthians 11:23-29, “I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches…” (MSG)

Like I said, clearly Paul deserves every right to retire, move to Florida, and lounge on the beach for countless hours day-by-day! He has every right to leave the battles to someone else; to hang out his sign that says, "OUT OF SERVICE"! But listen instead to Paul’s response from 2 Timothy 4:6-7, "I am being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 

Let’s look at it in different translations: 

“You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar…” (MSG); 

“Now the time has come for me to die. My life is a drink offering being poured out on the altar…” (CEV);

“My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God…” (GWT);

“I say this because I won’t be around to help you very much longer. My time has almost run out. Very soon now I will be on my way to heaven…” (TLB)

Paul's picture at the end of his life, after 30 years of giving all he had to give, says, “you take over, I’m about to die, the time for me to die has come, my life is coming to an end, I won’t be around to help you very much longer”. And if that’s all he said that might sound quite depressing and discouraging. However, listen to the rest, "my life is a drink offering BEING POURED OUT on the altar…my time has ALMOST RUN OUT...." I love the fact that Paul still uses Present Tense! Yes, his life is ALMOST over and he’s ABOUT to die…However, God Is Still Using Me! He’s Still Pouring My Life Out Into the Lives of Others as a Sacrifice and Offering! I’m Not Quite Done YET!

What I see as a visual is an Olympic runner with veins bulging and every sweat gland pumping, fully extended, nothing left. He in essence says, "When I cross the finish line into Jesus' arms, I want to collapse into His arms with nothing left in my pockets, nothing left in my energy. I will give it all to the finish line." Man! Paul will not retire spiritually until he gets retired by his Lord to heaven! He’s not stopping short, he’s making no excuses no matter how bad his knees hurt, how dull his eyesight has become, the aches in his back etc…He’s Fighting All the Way Through the Finish Line! God is Still Pouring Out of Paul, and Paul Has No Complaints! He gets to the end of his journey and in essence says, “Lord, I’ve run my race all the way to the end, but if you should need another lap out of me, I’m still laced up and ready to run!”

Well, that's the attitude we all should share, but we don't sometimes. Right? Oh, maybe you've worked hard for the Lord, you've done a lot of the jobs there are to do, and you're kind of tired. Now you're saying, "I think I've earned a little time out; I think I've earned a rest. Let's pass it on to others. I served my time." And let’s be honest, many of us have worn every hat there is to wear in ministry, and now we’re ready to lay our weary heads down and take a restful nap. No one is saying that you haven’t earned the right to rest. Certainly Paul did. However, Paul still made himself available to the Lord, regardless to the ending of his years of life. Can you honestly say you serve God like that?

Listen, truth is, no matter what age we are, we don't have a time limit in serving the Lord! Most have maybe 70 or 80 years of service to make our mark for eternity. And in most recent years we now see saints up in the 100’s still in church, serving the Lord. And why? Because there's too much to do and there's too few to do it! Because everybody feels qualified and entitled to take a break! Especially our seasoned leaders! And believe me, I understand. I have quite a bit of longevity on both sides of my family with an aunt who just turned 103 years old. That’s a lot of time to dwell here on the earth (especially with in most recent years the untimely death of many youth). So, I get it, you’ve worked hard and now you’re tired. And rightfully so! But you've got experience that most of our education can’t even compete with! We still need you! Don't hang out an "OUT OF SERVICE" sign just yet! 

There’s still more fruit in you that we need to be nourished by! Psalm 92:14, “[Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper IN OLD AGE; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment];” (AMP) How powerful is that?! Seniors, you will THRIVE; BEAR FRUIT; PROSPER; FLOURISH; BE VITAL AND FRESH; RICH IN TRUST, LOVE AND CONTENTMENT! And when will all of this occur? “…IN OLD AGE…”! Does that sound like a person with an “OUT OF SERVICE” sign over them? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Your work for the Lord does not expire with age!

Listen: We're here to live poured-out lives, holding nothing back, just like Paul. We might retire to a different location, but never retiring from the front lines until God calls us home. You want to re-tire, that means to put new tires on so you can keep on going; in other words GET RE-TIRED! Then keep on trucking! God is looking for human vehicles that He can use for heaven's sake. Don't pull up in front of Jesus with a sign that says "OUT OF SERVICE"

Seniors, remember, above I shared with you why a person is so excited when they see a long-awaited bus appear? It’s often because they’ve been waiting in that same spot for a long time; not to mention they have to battle with the weather (in extreme hot and cold and everything in between); they’re often carrying bags (or baggage); sometimes it’s real early in the morning or real late at night. In other words, they’re excited because something that can carry them (and all they carry) is coming down the road in their direction. And there’s an assigned stop for the bus exactly where they’re standing. And no matter how tired or stressed they may be, the sight of that long-awaited bus approaching brings hope and expectation, relief and rest. And when seniors are present, you do the very same thing for us.

Many of us are exhausted and weighed down from life, marriage, ministry, work, health, finances, school, family, bills and the like, and we’re looking for that long-awaited bus (that has been down this route many times) to stop by and pick us up. So the very last thing they want to see is there hopes dashed in a little 3-letter message of “OUT OF SERVICE”. 

And what’s even worse is that sometimes when that “OUT OF SERVICE” bus passes, you end up having to wait another long period of time before another bus arrives. Now, some people, who’ve gotten tired of waiting, simply decide to walk. That doesn’t sound all that dangerous, but look at it from this perspective. A person was standing at the bus stop, exhausted and weighed down. The “OUT OF SERVICE” bus appears, they walk away from the place that was designed to send what would pick them up and take them where they needed to go. And many people likewise have walked away from the church for the very same reason. Seniors, there are a host of people (of all ages) who need what you have. They need to hear your knowledge, understanding and wisdom. They need to hear your failures and mistakes. They need to hear your advice and direction. Don’t go “OUT OF SERVICE” leaving them to walk away.

Be like Paul instead, and pour out everything you have, until the very last drop has been given. Believe me, you are making lives better, marriages better, all ages better, ministry/church better, life better. With you helping us, we’ll be better. So, despite your age, please know that there are still people standing at the bus stop (with a lot of baggage and exhaustion) who need you to stop by, pick them up and take them where they need to go. I’m one of those people, so please STAY IN SERVICE!

Proverbs 16:31, “The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.” (AMP);

Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age, I am He, And even to your advanced old age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; Be assured I will carry you and I will save you.” (AMP);

“It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” (Abe Lincoln)

“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” (C.S. Lewis)

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

“Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts.” (Martin Buxbaum)

“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” (Walt Disney)

“Those who love deeply never grow old; They may die of old age, but they die young.” (Benjamin Franklin)

 Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)