I believe we are all born optimists, when we decide to crawl or walk we just do it, regardless of how many times we stumble, we do succeed.

As a child we aim high, “When I grow up I’m going to be an astronaut, a doctor, a teacher.” 

When we are young all things are possible.

As we get older and come in contact with other people, we listen to their failures and begin to doubt our own ability to succeed; we tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive.

There is an old saying ‘that you can’t put an old head, on young shoulders:’ It is true we don’t always follow sound advice, given by those wiser than us.

We each must travel along our own road in this life, learning as we go.

The point of the matter is that we should show by example ….do what I do and not just do as I say.

I know that I am more likely to take the advice from someone who has accomplished the things in their life that I want to accomplish.

As we get older, the optimism that we are born with is still there, but it is shadowed by mistakes and disappointments of the world around us.

We become like those that we associate with, and begin to think “That’s Life.”

We smile and encourage the younger generation and their plans, but for us, well, we put our dreams on hold.

Old age is a time when one can slow down, and reflect on the world around us.  It is also a time to create that bucket list.

As I am getting older, I find that there are always new avenues to follow, new things to discover.

Look around at what this world has to offer.

Then look back at the toddler starting to take their first steps; and be like them, and don’t give up.

Take a chance and give it ago. Be the person we were all meant to be.

Associate with younger people, share their enthusiasm for life.

Encourage them, let your experiences in life help them, be a positive part of their life and watch as their positivity rubs off on you and you are enjoying life again.

The young and the old both have so much to give to one and other.

I have found that associating with the young keeps me more in touch with the world around me.

There are no generation gaps, between me and my grandchildren. It is an open communication that we all share.

The world that I was raised in is different to the world today, keeping up with this ever changing world of ours, keeps me on my toes.

As I explain the differences to those younger than me, they then have a better understanding of those older than them, and can react accordingly.

Yes, I believe we are all born optimists, when we decide to do whatever we can to make this world a better place for both the young and the old, we all succeed in this world of ours.

Life becomes a better place for us all.

– Nancy.