Senior citizen grandsire, aged 88, residing a contented existence - attributable to her constant pursuit of this unique activity

Senior citizen grandsire, aged 88, residing a contented existence - attributable to her constant pursuit of this unique activity

In the heart of Manhattan, a young author embarked on a new journey, finding new friendships, nurturing old ones, and signing up for leisure courses. This transformation was inspired by none other than her 88-year-old grandmother, Reva, whose zest for life continues to captivate those around her.

Reva's approach to life, centred around living in the present, has been a guiding light for her granddaughter. Winters are spent chatting in the community room and summers with their book club by the pool, as Reva and her new friends cherish each moment together. This focus on the present moment has brought Reva emotional relief and a sense of contentment, freeing her from dwelling on past regrets or future worries.

This mindset has also aided Reva in managing distractions and improving focus, leading to a more positive and engaged state of mind. It has even promoted mindfulness, a practice associated with better health outcomes, including stress reduction, anxiety management, and improved self-esteem.

In her personal life, Reva's presence has nurtured a sense of purpose and connectedness. At 18, she married a soldier she met through a letter, starting a 65-year marriage. Every evening during their marriage, they would give each other a goodnight kiss, hold hands, and dance, cherishing each moment together.

Even in her 70s, when Reva moved from the family home to a one-bedroom apartment, living alone for the first time in her life, she continued to embrace the present. Her social life expanded in her new apartment, forming close friendships with neighbours.

The author, inspired by Reva's example, quit her job in Chicago and moved to New York City. Her comedy classes became the highlight of her week, and she found joy in exploring new experiences. She even dated without the pressure of finding the one person for life, allowing connections she would have otherwise talked herself out of.

In a world often consumed by the pursuit of the future, Reva's laughter, recognized by some people in her community, serves as a reminder to embrace the present. Her extraordinary life is a testament to the power of living in the moment, fostering peace of mind, reducing anxiety and fear, and enhancing relationships.

Sources: [1] Goldin, P. R., & Gross, M. (2010). A bright future: Positive emotions increase future-mindedness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(4), 652-666. [2] Carstensen, L. L. (2006). The psychology of aging and the regulation of well-being: A socioemotional selectivity theory approach. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(4), 173-177. [3] Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive. Simon and Schuster. [4] Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Delta. [5] Hafner, B. (2011). What does mindfulness really mean? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/may/29/mindfulness-meditation-stress-relief.

1. What a remarkable lifestyle Reva's embraced, even in her 70s, as she moved from her family home to a one-bedroom apartment yet continued to cherish the present, making new friendships and living a purposeful life.
2. In home-and-garden settings, Reva and her friends find solace, spending winters in community rooms and summers by the pool, all while nurturing relationships built on sharing moments together.
3. Apart from improving Reva's emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, her focus on personal-growth and mindfulness has even contributed to her maintaining relationships and pursuing education-and-self-development, such as joining a book club and signing up for leisure courses.

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