“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved – loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”
~ Victor Hugo.
I visited the seniors at the nearby Alzheimer’s Care Center. Although the Center is located a little out of the way. but upon arriving one will definitely be impressed with the vast, lush green environment there. Here, it is pollution free, quiet, lift the moods and an excellent location for these ageing seniors.
The center is reasonably new, staffed with professionals and supported by well-trained maids. I was pleasantly surprised to find two elderly aunties smiling and waving happily at me, as if they recognize me when I entered the building.
I wanted to celebrate a meaningful St. Valentine’s Day this year. So I decided to go and spend some quality time chatting with the seniors, accompanying them for lunch and joining in their light activities with the time I had.
You see, our mind is everything. It is the seat of our reason and our humanity. So when we think we see the beginning of an inevitable decline from sharp, agile thinking to confusion, loss of independence, loss of memory and the loss of identity, the response is terribly frightening and horrifying to anyone for that matter.
I met the organizers of this center some months back. At that time, they needed some volunteers. However, due to certain constraints then, much as I would like to, I was not able to commit participating in making these seniors comfortable and feel loved.
Our future is a fabric of choices, and it is our mind that will make these choices. The beautiful truth is our mind has the power to reshape our world but only if it retains the capacity to choose. If we do not do every thing in our power to keep our mind active, agile and sharp, we may risk losing the ability to determine our own future one day.
The center welcomes anyone who can spend some time with these senior uncles and aunties. They are looking forward to us showing care, love and possibly having meals with them so that they are not bored or depressed so easily.
In hindsight, throughout the day, this has been my happiest, most meaningful and best ever St. Valentine’s Day. When it was time for me to leave, deep inside me, I was so happy to find these seniors smiling and displaying gestures of goodwill.
Besides, I received many, “Happy Valentine’s Day” messages from so many of you throughout the day. You know, these messages too made me feel grateful and thankful that I am cared and loved as well. So once again a big “Thank You” everyone for making this Valentine’s Day so special and my best ever.
Peace ……………….Love ……………… Understanding ……………… and God Bless.
UPDATED:
Have A Dream 
That is really inspiring! I am going to look into something near me.
Voluntary work in any kind is a wonderful feeling and peace of mind. It reshape our our perspective and help us grow. God Bless.
If only there were more of you in this world…
Hi Olive, if you can venture out of your comfort zone and do something voluntary you will notice and see more. Regards. !!!
Nice Michael. So glad you made the effort to cheer others for when you do you end up cheering yourself..
Thanks for doing that….VK
I agree VK. The care and love I gave and eventually received was tremendous. I love to do my voluntary work genuinely with no hidden agenda. And thanks for you commenting. Blessings. !!!
I have to agree with Olive…if only there were more of you in this world, Michael. I try to remind myself whenever possible…I have dozens of opportunities everyday to make people feel valued and respected. Teaching and parenting afford me such wonderful opportunities.
I looooove what you said about our minds and what they offer to our sense of self and worth. Thank you.
Welcome back LWH. I love what you said about the opportunities you have every day. Had a great Day? Best Regards. !!!
I really enjoyed this post…you make the world so much sunnier. :). Btw, I wanted to give you an award but I am not sure it applies to you…it’s the Liebster award for small blogs with less than 200 followers…but I suspect looking at your comments sections you have a lot more followers than that. Will you let me know if it applies?
Thank You. I am so happy to note you enjoyed this post. As for the Liebster award, I received one some months back. Many thanks for the kind thoughts. Really appreciate. Have a great day ahead and God Bless.
Okay, thank you. It is dusk here so I bid you a good evening
Okay. Thank You.Good Night and sweet dreams. !!!
Thanks for caring.
Hi LeRoy, Thanks. I am sure you have been “caring” in your own ways. Thanks.!!!
Hi Michael,
So inspiring to see this post. I find it particularly touching, having seen what Alzheimer does to a human being close up after my Dad, Uncle and father -in law got afflicted with this disease.
Such actions only reinforce in my mind the increased consciousness that is coming into the world. I posted on this yesterday at:
http://esgeemusings.com/2012/02/15/entropy-and-the-age-of-consciousness/
You are a beautiful person, Michael.Cheers and God bless.
Shakti
Thanks Shakti. Your comment is a great energy booster for me. Thanks for sharing your experience. God Bless.
Wow, this is lovely. What a wonderful thing to turn a day of commercialism into something meaningful. Bless you!
Thank You. I will be going back more often and have more “Love Days” with these seniors. Blessings.!!!
Thank you !
Peace and Blessings
Peace and Blessings to you too. Have a great day.
This is awesome Michael! What a way to get to the heart of things and spread love and compassion!!!
Thanks for inspiring us!
Namaste.
Reblogged this on Namaste Consulting Inc. and commented:
I could not love this any more if I tried. Michael, you are my hero for going out and spreading the compassion!
Thank You for the kind comment. Like you, I am only doing what is within my means. Namaste.
I appreciate you being a reminder of not only looking to myself to figure out what is within my means but also looking at what is there to do and be in the world that helps to create mean-ing. Blessings!
Thank You. I know you are doing good and spreading love as well. Keep excelling. Namaste.
Reblogged this on Speak Of Marriage and commented:
Here’s a blog that will help you approach loving and giving in a different light. Enjoy.
Thank You my friend.
I wish to inform you that I finally found the version of, “I’ll Never Pass This Way Again.” It was from Glen Campbell. This was one of the most meaningful song I heard those days.
Namaste.
You are welcome!
I also love that you ended with Glen Campbell’s video as he is living with his Alzheimer’s right now and if the Grammy’s are any indication, he is living moment by moment by doing some touring with his family. I think they are showing everyone that you can be vital and important despite having a life changing diagnosis. I think everyone needs to see that and hopefully we can change how we care for those we love in the future!
I am sad to read about Glen Campbell’s latest medical condition. I find the song, “Try A Little Kindness” very appropriate to this post and that is why I uploaded it. No bad intentions. I love his songs as I grow up in life. Should I have this removed, please? Meanwhile, I have just added Slim Whitman’s, “I ll Never Pass This Way Again.” This song is …………….. Best Regards. !!!
I know so many people feel lonely on Valentines Day. But giving love out to others is the cure, isn’t it.
Unconditional love = Happiness 🙂
Love is a beautiful emotion. “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart” ~ Helen Keller. Blessings. !!!
beautiful 🙂
Thank You.
For you this valentine’s day was the day of love and life, I think. It’s wonderful to seek something meaningful in life every day. Thank you for the post. And I’m glad Mr. Glenn Campbell is as a nice guy as before.
I agree with what you mentioned about Glen Campbell Bibuji. I believe we have the capacity to care and love inside us. It is a matter of thinking out of the box and taking a step forward – one step at a time. Remenber, care and love radiates, it changes our world and that of those around others. In a nutshee, “Make others happy and you will be happier.” Bye. !!!
What a brilliant way to spend Valentines. It’s great when you can do something that makes a real difference and not only enhances someone else’s life, but yours too!
I think all of us can do something by reaching out. Some feels making a financial donation is the best we should do. I beg to differ. Earlier, the organizers played a real life video about people suffering from Dementia. It moved me and I told myself that I want to do something for the seniors – my way. Had a great day yesterday?
Michael,
This is an ‘amazing’ reflection (I use the word ‘amazing’ but it is limiting). I would like to share it with others.
Thank you for gifting us with your insight and compassion.
Peace…
Hi Carrie, Thank You for your valued comment. Have a pleasant day. God Bless.
People like you are a blessing on this Earth. The old are so often forgotten. I hope you ‘felt’ the rewards of your kindness, knowing in your heart that your time was well spent. Good for you. Great post.
Thank You Orples. I have longed wanted to participate in voluntary projects. However, at that time my focus have to be in the other major aspects of my life. Now, I am glad that I am given the opportunity to focus in these areas – my dreams. So I gladly do it with all my heart. Thank You. !!!
What a lovely thing to do! I hope many others (and myself) can follow in your example! I’m also overcome with happiness for those seniors who must have felt that their days were brightened so much just by YOU!
It’s great to have you here. Thanks for the kind words and have a great day ahead.
You are truly a good man! And a godsend to your community! Nice write-up!!
Hi Murf, I am like any ordinary man where you will also a lot of them in your community ss well. Since I have the capacity to reach out and do something for some people, why nof? Like Glen Campbell sings, “I’ll Never Pass This Way Again.” God Bless.
nice job…keep it up! inspiring work for charity..
Thanks for the encouragement
Cheer.
(“,)
Thank You and God Bless.
It’s really awesome that you did that
Thanks for the kind words. I have tme to spare that day. So I went shead with my plan. Blessings.
You are truly a special person. Thanks for caring.
Thanks for leaving some words behind. Plrase do not mention I am a follower to your blog. Blessings.!!!
Wise decision to honor others on the day… 😉
I wanted to do something meaningful and I know about this place earlier. Thanks for leaving a word behind. Regards, !!!
This is so sweet. Good for you! I’m sure it meant the world to them that you were there 🙂
Indeed, they were happy. Many others do the same too. And a condition for the families of these seniors is to take them home once a week. This is very interesting I like doing it. Regards. !!!
This is touching. I have many friends who are seniors, now. Perhaps, me to soon. They were so lively just a few years ago. Time is a great thief. It stills small pieces of these people right in front of you. There is a helplessness about it. Their greatest joy is knowing that you will not go away because of it. It can be diffcult when they tell you a story you have heard many, many times but your presence makes them feel they are still valued. You did a very special thing that day.
Bravo …
Isadora
Thanks for those very true words. If I have the capacity to share time and care for them, I will continue. Have a great day. !!!