When a rose first blooms, its petals are bright and beautiful and well-formed, and they hold themselves upright on the branch. Eventually, though, as the blossom ages, it starts to lose its ability to stand upright. Its color dims. It begins to sag and hang limply. And when the petals fall to the ground, it appears that the life of the blossom is over, that there is nothing left for it to do except decompose and become part of the earth.
But some varieties of roses - especially the old-fashioned field roses - form something in the place of the fallen flower called Rosehips. It's a red berry that looks much like a small crabapple, adding beauty and brightness to the winter landscape, and providing food for birds and small animals of the fields during the cold, snowy months of the year. Rosehips are also power packed with Vitamin C and are used in nutritional supplements, known for boosting the immune system.
Isn't it interesting how something that looks like its life is ending can still offer something valuable to the world!
In each of our lives, the "rose" eventually begins to fade. Like the rose blossoms, we start to lose physical beauty and suppleness. Our muscles and skin slowly start to loosen and sag. Our hair changes colors. And our bodies just don't do what they used to be able to do. When that happens our culture today would like us to believe that who we are and what we have to offer is no longer important.
But what our culture teaches us about that is a lie.
Reaching that stage of life in which we have many more yesterdays than tomorrows, doesn't' mean we have to buy into the lie. Life can still be an adventure. We can still thrive. Having a sense of purpose, joy, and fulfillment can be something we look forward to in those years. We can still have something significant to give and can still provide emotional and spiritual nutrition to a world desperately in need of it. We can become Rosehips.
Taking some time now to ask yourself these questions can help you prepare for that era of your life: "What kind of life do I want to be living when I get old? What do I need to start changing now to help that happen?" The time goes by much more quickly than it seems, so it's not too soon to ask those questions.
If you build some things into your life now, you are more likely to be able to offer "Rosehips" to the world when you are old. Here are some things you can do to help that to happen. You probably already know some of them, but they're worth repeating:
Physically, take care of and nurture your health. Keep moving. As we age, we tend to become more sedentary, but inactivity has been called, "the silent killer." A lot of research confirms that you can improve your brain health, build stronger bones, boost your immune system, and make it easier to do common life activities if you keep moving. Second, eat more fruits and vegetables because they reduce the risks of heart disease, strokes, and can be a preventive measure for some kinds of cancers. They can also help reduce inflammation, a contributing factor to the pain many senior adults experience. Third, get regular sleep because it affects every part of your body and gives your brain and body an opportunity to repair themselves. Fourth, observe a Sabbath, or give yourself at least a day a week to rest from all the activity of life, to let down and just be, to do things you enjoy, to spend time with people you love, and to connect with God.
Mentally, keep learning new things. Because of something called Neuroplasticity, our brain has the capacity to build new neural pathways till the day we die if we continue to learn something new. So, be curious. Find something new to explore. Go on adventures. Read or listen to Podcasts. Take an occasional class. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Train your mind to look for beauty and goodness - it's there every day if you take time to notice it. Humbly admit to yourself and to others that you don't know everything, and that you are still learning.
Emotionally, love yourself and love others out of God's perspective of love. Identify the part of you who is wise, strong, and compassionate, and use that part of you to give love, comfort, encouragement, and truth to the parts of yourself that need to receive those things. Really be who you were designed by God to be and do what you are here on earth to do. Heal whatever inside of you interferes with you doing those things. And practice gratitude.
Relationally, stay in community. We weren't meant to do life alone, so spend time with people you enjoy being with. Join a group that is about something that interests you. Laugh more and have fun. Give respect and kindness to others even if you disagree with them. Choose to be a person who adds value and blessing to other people's lives, according to whatever gifts you have. Seek to see God in other people.
Spiritually, connect with a source of love and power beyond yourself. "Forgive those who have sinned against you." Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Try the adventure of saying, "God, do anything in me, anything with me, and anything through me you want to do."
Of course, none of us know what life will bring our way or how long we will live, but if you are fortunate enough to live long enough to become "old," these are just a few ways that can help you live out your latter years with a sense of satisfaction and meaning, becoming Rosehips.
And if you have already become part of the oldest generation, honor the next generation. Bless them with your wisdom without forcing it on then, and without judgment if they choose not to follow your recommendations. Really listen to what is at the heart of their ideas. They have much to teach us, so be willing to learn from them. Graciously step aside in running things and be a source of encouragement as they embrace their role of now running the world.