It is
often said, “Nothing remains constant except change itself.” But why do we
resist change particularly as older adults who have a reputation of being stick-in-the
muds, averse to any kind of change?
According
to Rosabeth
Moss Kanter, a professor at the Harvard Business School, there are many reasons
why people of all ages resist change. See if any of these reasons feel
familiar.
First,
change often creates uncertainty – often interrupting our routines which we
find comforting because we know what to expect. Every morning I have my regular
routine for eating breakfast and taking my pills. But when I go on vacation, the routine
changes, and it is difficult to adjust.
Second,
change creates concerns about our own competence. Take technology. There is always
some new “latest and greatest” software update to learn. And you just figured
out the previous version!
Third,
change creates more work - which takes time and energy. Although you may have
the time, do you have the energy? With the kids moved out, it is time for my
wife and I to move to a smaller house, but I always reconsider when I think of
all the work it would take.
Fourth,
a loss of control. If you decide what to change, that’s okay, you’re in control.
But when the change happens to you that is another story. And that seems to
happen more often when you get older, as your family, friends or doctors start telling
you where you should live, when you can drive and what you should eat.
But change
is inevitable. And embracing change even with all the reasons to resist: more uncertainty,
feelings of incompetence, more work and loss of control, change can help you continue
to live a full and productive life. And having seen all the tremendous changes over
your lifetime from types of television sets to personal cancer treatments,
would you really want to go back to those “golden” years? Okay, maybe you don’t
have to answer that question!
After this
past terrible, horrible, no good winter, more folks have decided to get their
bodies moving by attending the Center’s movement and exercise classes. The
classes are affordable and all you have to do to join the fun is show up. The
classes include: Tai Chi on Tuesdays from 1:15 – 2:00 taught by Corliss Marsh,
Line and Folk Dancing on Thursdays from 10:15 – 11:30 taught by Jacquie Hashizume,
Strong Women on Tuesdays and Thursdays taught by Sally Forester, and Zumba Gold
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 – 11:30 taught by Marsha Morrison. Also, Debra
Lutje teaches two classes: Chair Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-
10:30 and Strength Yoga on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:30.
Besides
helping your brain by exercising, you can also challenge your brain by reading this
week’s Saturday Night music announcement – backwards. And you don’t even have
to get out of your chair.
.appreciated
always are donations although - free is it And .welcome is everyone ,left your
with follow or foot right your with lead you whether and 30:6 at starts music
,00:6 at open Doors .Country of Shades be will 18th April on Music Night
Tuesday s’Center the for Performing
In the
television series, Gunsmoke, the name
of the woman who was the owner of the Long Branch Saloon and with whom Matt
Dillion had a close personal relationship was Miss Kitty. (Answers were
received from Vicki Sallee, Alice Mattox, Johnie Douglas, Jim Ayres and the randomly
selected winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Don Smith.)
Sticking
to television during the 50’s and 60’s, this week’s “Remember When” question is
not about a western but a television sitcom (which I don’t remember because I
was more interested in Saturday morning cartoons) that aired on CBS from 1954
to 1959. But if your memory is better,
what was the name of the television show about the adventures of widow Lily Ruskin
played by Spring Byington, that for first four seasons followed I Love Lucy? Email your answer to
www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it with a
picture of next-door neighbor Pete Porter played by Harry Morgan, who in 1960 starred
in his own show Pete and Gladys.
Well,
it’s been another week, sorting through all my spring clothes. Until we meet
again, I know it’s spring because the ants have returned to the kitchen counter.
“Change
is inevitable, except from a vending machine.” Robert C. Gallagher
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