Here are some thoughts about attitudes as we grow older. Maybe there is something here that will benefit you. The first is the thoughts of a Jesuit priest as he grew older. It has been reproduced many times.

Prayer of an aging Jesuit

Dear Lord, teach me to grow gracefully, help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duty; when it no longer seems to seek my views.

Rid me of all the "wisdom" I have learned, rid me of the illusion that I am indispensable.

Help me in this gradual detachment from earthly things to grasp the meaning of your law of time.

Teach me, in this turnover of work and workers, to discern a striking impression of life's constant renewal under the impulse of your providence.

And please, Lord, let me still be useful, contributing to the world my optimism, my prayers to the joyful fervor and courage of those who now take their turn at the helm.

Let my lifestyle now become one of humble and serene contact with the world in change, shedding no tears for the past; making my human sufferings a gift of reparation to all my brothers.

Let my leaving the field of action be simple and natural – like a glowing, cheerful sunset.

Lord, forgive me if only now in my tranquility I begin to know how much you love me, how much you've helped me.

And now, finally, may I have a clear, a deep understanding of the joyful destiny you have prepared for me, guiding my every step from the first day of my life, Lord teach me to grow old… Just so.

St. Teresa's book mark:

Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee. All things are passing; God only is changeless. Patience gains all things. Who hath God wanteth nothing – alone God sufficeth.

Dear Abby Here's part of a letter to dear Abby published some time ago that I kept.

Dear Abby:

Sometimes 75 year old widows like me have difficulty finding meaning in our lives area therefore, I am sending some thoughts from an anonymous poet that were read from the pulpit of my church. They galvanized me to action:

"Is anybody happier because you said a kind word ? Is there anyone now to utter now a kindly word about you? Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that is slipping fast, that you helped a single person of the many you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said? Does the one whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day or use it? Did you leave a trail of kindness or scar of discontent?"

Roger Rosenblatt has published much material about life. Here are a few of his rules of life for us to consider:

1. It doesn't matter. Whatever you think matters – doesn't. It does not matter if you are late, or early; if you are here, or if you are there; if you said it, or did not say it; if you were clever, or you were stupid;…

2. Yes you did.If you have the slightest question as to whether or not you are responsible for wrongdoing, you are.

3. Nobody is thinking about you. I promise you: nobody is thinking about you. They a thinking about themselves – just like you.

4. Ignore your enemy or kill him. The idea is not to care – not to pretend you don't care – but to really not care. Otherwise you need to kill him.

5. After age 30, it is unseemly to blame ones parents for ones life.

6. A swine is a swine all the time. Do not be fooled when a swine temporarily bears outward signs of the decent human being. They are still a swine

7. To thine own self be true – unless you would like to be somebody else. Be true to yourself. However, If you really don't like who you, are you may be right.

Lastly, here is a prayer that coach Paul "Bear" Bryant carried in his wallet

"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste or use it for good. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, Leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain not a loss – good, not evil. I shall not forget the price I paid for it."