Age Appropriate

Big changes in politics lately seem to ask the question, should I get involved? If so, how best? I can’t think about marching in the streets since I hate crowds, and all my congress people already agree with my point of view. If these are uncertain times, what older people have is perspective. The older we are, the more we have seen it all before. The long view is easier when you can look back at the history of your own times.
Sometimes elders get preachy but they do have wisdom to share. Sometimes older people get grouchy when no one listens. So I think it is best to consider the form of the messages we have to share. No one really wants to listen to angry or upset people when they already feel unstable. So wiser and older folks can do one thing that might help: stabilize ourselves and become a non-anxious presence.
Getting to a peaceful place takes effort and attention. It requires that we be self aware, knowing what we are capable of. I may feel 18 years old in my mind, but my body needs me to pay attention to its ever increasing need for care. My mind may move more slowly, but that may be because I have so much more to process as new events play against older events.
The better we take care of ourselves, the more we can be a support to those who are scared and depressed. For me that includes quiet times doing what I love: painting.