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Ever
since “Activities” at Saint Simeon’s was re-designated “Life Enrichment”,
I have been pondering just what the meaning of “Life Enrichment” might be.
Would
each of us describe it differently? Is “one man’s” meat another man’s
poison? Is it different at various stages in our lives?
Here’s
my take on “Defining Life Enrichment.”
In
Infancy: Being held and rocked and sung to; Hearing
laughter
In
Childhood: Being comforted when you hurt yourself; Being given
self-confidence; Being read to; Laughing and running.
In
the Teen-Age Years: Belonging; Being excited about
everything; Deciding “what to be”; Laughing—and crying; Reading; Dancing;
Being in love with love; Yearning to BE SOMEBODY
Young
Adult Years: Music; Reading; Conversation; Travel;
Family Responsibility; Falling in— and out—of love
Maturity:
Independence; Security; Responsibility beyond one’s
own personal needs; Decision making; Living with one’s choices
How
to define “life enrichment” for Old Age? What should we keep from each of
the above? Should we add:
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Discovering
the joys of solitude?
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A
shortened list of "musts" and "shoulds"?
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Realistic
expectations of oneself physically? socially? emotionally?
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Practicing
contentment?
That’s
my summary. I don’t think it will ever take the place of Shakespeare’s Seven
Ages of Man! What would you list as “Life Enrichment”? Especially in “Old
Age” - whenever that is.
If
you’ll send in your suggestions to the Quill, c/o St. Simeon, your
additions or deletions in every category will be published.
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