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Hi Everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU....... may it be filled with everything you wish for yourself and others! I don't know about you but I hate seeing a publicity picture of someone and then on meeting them find they look about 20 years older because the picture was way out of date.......so new year - new photo. Well, Xmas became a case of "the best laid plans of mice and men". In my last newsletter, I confidently wrote that the break would be spent emptying and sorting boxes from when we moved house last March. WRONG! In fact not one box got touched because John and I were both ill to varying degrees for the whole period, spanning into the New Year. However, it didn’t stop an extraordinary and inspiring start to this year, which I would like to share with you in the feature this month – “The Power of Love.”o:p> Here's what else is coming up too.......... * Feature: The Power of Love * On a lighter note..... * Time is marching by! * Because we like them TOTAL READ TIME: A little longer than usual ...... maybe around 8 mins |
 Feature: The Power of Love
If you read a paper, listen to the radio or watch televised news coverage, you’ll probably have heard the story of Olive Archer, or “Eleanor Rigby” as she was dubbed by the press. This has been an extra-ordinary journey that started when I was asked to conduct Olive Archer’s funeral. At 83, she had spent the last 5 years in a care home with no visitors. It was thought that she had no friends or relatives. Very little was known about her, but when I collected a photograph taken in her 20’s and looking every inch a Hollywood movie star – something moved me to take action. Surely someone must have known her. Little did I know what that action would lead to. Also inspired by the thought, the Swindon Advertiser ran a feature asking for any friends or family to come forward, so that Olive would have a funeral with more than just myself as the Minister and the funeral director. Almost immediately the story was picked up by The Western Daily Press, followed by BBC Points West TV, BBC local and national radio. The Daily Mail was next, followed by every major paper. The phone didn’t stop ringing for days. Calls were a mix of media wanting to know more and well wishers wanting to pay their tributes by sending cards, flowers and donations. Many of those who called were in tears after just reading the story. It touched people’s hearts and their generosity was overwhelming. Local people who had known Olive also contacted me with their memories of her and others wanted to come to her funeral because they couldn’t bear the thought of her being alone on her last journey. And finally some family members, who had lost contact but read the story in the national press, contacted me. At last, my mission was complete and it looked as thought there would be standing room only in the Chapel. However, that was not to be and ultimately the venue and timings were changed so that the family could keep it as a private affair. This didn’t work entirely, as several of the press found where it was being held, but what they wrote was a fitting ending to a story that had captivated people around the world. Everyone wanted to know that Olive’s life had been honoured. So why have I told you all of this? Well there are two reasons really. One is that is very heartening to know that in this day and age, where violent crime seems to be on the increase and the reported news is increasingly bad, that a story like Olive’s can touch the hearts and lives of so many people around the world and prompt the most extra ordinary generosity both financially and of spirit. The other is that Olive’s story is not unique by any means, but what has also happened is that all the coverage has raised awareness of the plight of the elderly. Locally this resulted in 6 more workers being recruited by Age Concern, and other age related organisations are also having more opportunity to be heard. What has it got to do with you? Well, a lot really. Old age is something we all come to, unless we get ill and die early – and yet it is not often considered. We don’t like to think that we might end up old, infirm and on our own. And yet the reality of that happening is quite stark. Statistics suggest that by the year 2030, over 50% of the population will be over the age of 85. Couple that with the fact that there is a falling birth rate, and you have a population that is top heavy with old people. Already we are an ageist society, with teenagers calling their parents “mouldies” and the workplace not really wanting to look at people over the age of 50. So the potential for more division between the young and old is very likely. Unless of course, we begin to address this now. Last year, The Zimmers became a world-wide phenomena. A large group of old people, from 60-90+, brought together to sing – and wow, did they have a ball. Of course they did….. who on earth thinks that because you become old, you lose your desire to have fun and enjoy life. Admittedly, incidents of dementia or Alzheimers, do seem to be higher these days but it’s only part of the bigger picture. What most older people lack is company. They all have stories to tell if people can be bothered to listen and encourage them to talk. Those who don’t see many people, do begin to lose their social skills but they soon come back with a little patience and encouragement. However, I feel that we as community need to do more too. Do you have an elderly family member that you don’t see often? Give them a call, send them a card – show an interest. Maybe get involved with an organisation that is offering support. Personally, I believe that one of the most powerful ways forward is with inter-generational work that finds ways to bring young and old together to learn from one another. Older people can learn that not all youngsters are into bad things and younger people can learn that not all old people are boring and senile. How much better would the world be for that? And finally, because we are tending to live longer now than ever before, the third level here is how we manage ourselves. What inner resources are we building that will carry us through to frailty, old age and facing death? This is frequently an area that people don’t like to address, but it's vital to create inner anchors that sustain us right the way through life to the very end – no matter how that may occur. The more we work on and let go of “stuff” that no longer serves us (resentments, grudges, low self-esteem, etc), the more room we make for inner contentment, enthusiasm and lightness of spirit - all important for a healthy old age. If you are interested in what kicked it all off, here are a couple of links. BBC POINTS WEST - TOM BURRIDGE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE BBC WORLD SERVICE - FRED DOVE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE ABOUT THE WIDER SOCIAL ISSUES
On a lighter note.......but related!
A. A. A. D. D. -- "Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder"
This is how it manifests: I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
I lay the car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.
But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my chequebook off the table, and see that there is only one cheque left.
My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking. I'm going to look for my cheques, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered. I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote that someone left on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers. I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do...
At the end of the day:
* the car isn't washed
* the bills aren't paid
* there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
* the flowers don't have enough water
* there is still only one cheque my cheque book
* I can't find the remote
* I can't find my glasses
* I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!
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Time is marching on....... but there is just enough left to book for two forthcoming London events with Akasha.Friday 15th February 2008. A two hour interactive talk based on Akasha's popular self-help book of the same name. The venue is the Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, NW1 from 7-9pm. Your investment is just £5!Saturday 16th February 2008."The Healing Experience" - a powerful one day program of letting go and moving on. The Venue is The London College of Spirituality, High Holborn, London.WC1 from 10 - 5pm. Your investment is £67.Bookings, payment and full information for both events can be found at The London College of Spirituality.
Because we like themWe decided that each month we would include a few links to other sites, either because we know the people concerned and think they are great or we were inspired by the site and wanted to share it with you. By the way, these are not affiliate links and no money is received for including them. www.elderabuse.org.uk Founded in 1993, Action on Elder Abuse was established in response to the concern about the lack of information and assistance for older people being, or at risk of being, abused. www.twelfth-house.co.uk In London's Notting Hill Gate, this is an Astrological Restaurant and Bar, where you can have either an astrological or tarot reading. If that doesn't interest you, then just enjoy the ambience, good food and good wine! www.contact-the-elderly.org | This non-profit organization matches frail, elderly people who live alone with volunteers who take them to tea one Sunday every month. |
BEAUTIFUL, PERSONALISED AND HEARTFELT CEREMONIES CREATED AND CONDUCTED BY
REV. AKASHA LONSDALEIf you have enjoyed this newsletter and know of somebody else who would benefit from it's message, please forward it to them and suggest that they subscribe. Click here to pass it on. If this has been forwarded to you Click here to sign up and ensure you receive your own regular ...... Breath of Fresh Air
Meantime you can find details of our life changing program and other services at: www.empoweringpartnership.com www.thelaughterschool.com
Until the next time, John and I wish you an inspired and empowered month. Akasha
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