As We Grow Older – Keeping a Proper Perspective on Problems
November 30, 2012 in Personal Growth
As we age as individuals, one might surmise that problems and challenges might become easier to handle. For some people this is true. They have the ability to let things not bother them. For most others, problems and challenges later in life can become huge burdens. Much of this burden is based on the fact that we may be slowing down physically and just do not have the energy we had when we were younger. We may also be slowing down mentally. Perhaps, we are tired of working or of facing the challenges of raising a family and meeting the responsibilities of caring for others. There are many reasons why problems and challenges seem more burdensome but perhaps having a better understanding of how these events can be be held in proper perspective will help.
In a study of people and how they react to "Life's Events", the following results provides perspective in decreasing order of impact importance.
- Death of a spouse
- Divorce
- Marital Separation
- Jail Term
- Deat of a close family member
- Personal injusry or illness
- Marriage
- Fired at work
- Marital reconciliation
- Retirement
- Changes in family member's health
- Pregnancy
- Sex difficulties
- Gain of new family member
- Business readjustment
- Change in financial status
- Deat of a close friend
- Change to different line of work
- Change in number of arguments with spouse
- Mortgage or loan over $10,000
- Foreclosure of mortgage or loan
- Change in work responsibilities
- Son or daughter leaving home
- Trouble with in-laws
- Outstanding personal achievement
- Spouse begins or stops work
- Begin or end school
- Change in living conditions
- Revision of personal habits
- Trouble with boss
- Change in work hours, conditions
- Change in residence
- Change in schools
- Change in recreation
- Change in church activities
- Change in social activities
- Mortgage or looan under $10,000
- Change in sleeping habits
- Change in number of family gatherings
- Change in eating habits
- Vacation
- Christmas
- Minor violations of the law
Looking at this, it can be seen that the first mention of anything related to money is #16 "Change in financial status". There are items on this list that may not apply to seniors but this list does provide a good way to gauge what is important and what is not. As we grow older our personal health, ability to stay independent and our relationships with family and friends become the key drivers.
Hope this helps some of you facing key challenges.