Dec 27 2007
A 99 Year Old Role Model
I visited my grandmother today. She is 99 and turns 100 in May. Her mobility is restricted, and her eyesight is all but gone, but she rarely complains – even when she’s really sick. At these times she’ll respond with a “I’m not so good today” or “my leg is a bit sore”, but she won’t labour the point.
She’s not on the internet, but delights in stories of the latest trends and gadgets. She marvels at advances in modern technology. She is interested in the world around her, and is a keen radio listener.
My grandmother has lived through two World Wars and a depression. She stood along side her husband while he built up a successful business, foregoing many luxuries along the way.
What my grandmother has taught me, by the way she conducts her life, in to focus on the positive.
I’ve never heard a harsh, negative word come out of her mouth. If she is in the company of person A who is being critical of person B, she will make excuses for person B. She goes beyond the credo “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” because she looks for the “nice”.
She doesn’t (to my knowledge) feel slighted or offended, because she excuses bad behaviour. She will focus on a person’s positive attributes, and excuse the bad ones.
She understands, you see, that we are all human and as such we all have flaws.
It’s a choice we all have available to us. If we chose to focus on the positive and excuse the negative, how much richer is our life?
In my way of thinking, looking for the positive makes our outlook positive. We become more contented. Instead of being unhappy because of what we don’t have, or what we don’t like about another, shouldn’t we feel happy because of what we DO have or what we DO like about another.
I know it’s a few days early for New Year’s Resolutions. But I will endeavour to be as positive as I can be in 2008.
11 Responses to “A 99 Year Old Role Model”
Great post Meg! Your words about being positive ring true. Well said and what a good way to go into 2008.
<> 😉
Peter’s last blog post..Soba Noodles in Chinese Spoons
Thanks Peter
a well deserved tribute to your grandma. Keep walking, grandma.
Thiru’s last blog post..35 Smashing Tips to Attract More Friends into your Life
Your grandmother sounds fantastic – and almost 100, that is amazing!
Good words of wisdom.
alyndabear’s last blog post..Miss Independent.
Grandparents are the true treasures of the world. Thanks for sharing yours with me. It’s a great focus to be positive about life and other people and I want to choose that too!
Joh’s last blog post..Overview of Holiday, December 07
Your Grandmother sounds like the person I have always aspired to be, but then failed in whining and bad mouthing.
And she is one good looking woman! I hope I look that good at almost 100!
Boo is similar to this. He seems so content and happy in his world. Right now he is sitting at my feet laughing huge belly laughs at a toy car he got for Christmas. He has been there all afternoon. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so content?
Kelley’s last blog post..Ta Da!
Very inspiring post. I had decided to become a more positive person about a month back. Not been able to change too much yet. But yes, it surely gets added to my list of New Years resolutions. Thanks for the reminder.
Nicole Price’s last blog post..Discount Jewelry
I feel very proud after reading your post about my Mum, both proud of her and proud of you. Thank you for being such a beautiful, loving daughter and grand-daughter.
(May I add Mum was orphaned at the age of 11.)
Thanks Thiru
Alyndabear – she is fantastic!
Joh – thanks. It’s not always the easiest choice
Kelley – You wouldn’t think she was that age – a bit like me 😉 I think there’s a lot to be said for inner peace… just finding it isn’t so easy.
Nicole – keep working on it (I will be too)!
Mum – Aww shucks. Well, your mum gave me a great start by giving me two excellent role models (her and you)…. Thank YOU
Got inspired with the story about you grandmother. I can say that she is a great grandmother and you be proud of her. Being positive in life is what makes you live happy in your life. She’s a good example to follow!
Andrew Reynolds’s last blog post..By: 2 More New Pages for Andrew Reynolds! « Andrew Reynolds World
[…] grandmother turns 100 today. Happy Birthday […]