Those who have been better prepared for retirement say that, while they miss certain aspects of their former work, they now enjoy the less hectic pace. They can do things they had cultivated a liking for earlier in life but could not pursue due to a lack of time.

Many appreciate having more time to enjoy the wonders of creation. They enjoy working in gardens, going on trips, observing the trees, plants, flowers and animals. They find mental and physical stimulation in taking walks, enjoying this activity alone or in the company of others.

Then there are those who find much pleasure in having the time to read more. And if their eyesight is not keen enough, they like to listen to recordings, radio programs, or have others read to them. And they enjoy good conversations with people of all age groups.

Literary historian Mr Cowley, when he passed the age of 80, made this comment on what was to him another pleasurable activity:

"There are other pleasures as well, including some that younger persons find hard to appreciate. One of them is simply sitting still, like a snake on a sun-warmed stone, with a delicious feeling of indolence that was seldom enjoyed in earlier years.

"At such times the older person is completely relaxed."

Keeping Active

But it is also true that activity is needed. It is generally recognized that remaining physically and mentally active is important for physical and mental health. Anyone whose health allows greater activity, but who just sits around constantly, is going to become quite depressed. Such a person can also become less sound physically.

In this regard, Dr. Butler, stated:

"Any type of useful activity in which one really feels a sense of accomplishment or of doing something worthwhile can make retirement more meaningful.

"Just imagine if you literally closed up shop and were not doing anything that gave you any sense of purpose or substance. That can be very devastating."

A woman in her mid-70's remarked that she could not comprehend why anyone her age with comparable health and finances should have a problem leading an interesting life. The key for her was engaging in a variety of activities. She said of those who were not finding any enjoyment: "Maybe they just don't have enough varied activities, . . . but I'm having a great time." She did concede that when her advancing years began to limit her mobility, then she would have to cut down on some of her activities. But not until then.

A Need for People

You may enjoy new hobbies and new activities. And you may also enjoy having more time to be by yourself. But there is no substitute for companionship with people. Solitude thus needs to be balanced with interchange with people.

We were created with a need for people. No one can truly be happy if totally isolated, no matter how much money that one has. Isolating oneself because of age, when one is fit enough to do otherwise, can be very damaging to the mind and spirit, and can actually hasten death. A Bible proverb says: "One isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth." (Prov. 18:1) A case in point was the later life of billionaire Howard Hughes.

One elderly person advised: "Don't get bugged [bothered] about being lonesome. Just get out." He meant that one should take the initiative in seeking out people. Similarly, Dr. Constance Freiss of New York advised: "Contact. Contact with people. That is the most important thing [especially] for old people who live alone. I tell my patients to get out every day and talk to someone-even if it's only the lady at the check-out counter in the supermarket."

Similarly, Dr. Butler recommended activities that bring one in contact with people. He said of the elderly:

"They can be encouraged to enter into activities in which they help other people. They also can be urged to join social organizations, to become active physically and to develop or sustain friendships.

"People need to be physically fit, personally fit, which means keeping their minds active, and socially fit-maintaining relationships with others."

Keeping Good Relationships

A key to developing and keeping good relationships with others is to have a wholesome, positive outlook toward them. What can hurt relationships is a person's not being willing to work at being compatible with others. Some older persons may, for example, not want to listen to the views of others, wanting only to expound their own.

This does not mean that you always have to agree with others regardless of what they say. But there are so many things that are not 'life or death' matters; different views can be allowed. Do not become unreasonably unyielding when it does not really matter.

When others see an older person display a mild disposition, with a willingness to listen, they are more prone to want to talk to the individual. As one older man said: "I found that I could get much greater enjoyment out of the company of younger people when I didn't act like I knew it all, or take offense at differing opinions. Instead, I made sure to ask them their views on things, commending them when they expressed interesting and helpful ideas. By doing this, I also found that often they took a greater interest in me, and time and again asked my opinion, as well as showing interest in my personal experiences from former years."

Too, some older ones need to fight the impulse to complain when in the company of others. While you may have more to complain about because of the problems that advancing years bring, a spirit of constant complaint can drive others away.

It is fine to try to make life more worth while and interesting. Certainly you should. And others can help you to do this. Yet, one hard fact to face is this: No matter how interesting or productive one's advancing years may be, sooner or later life will cease. At the present time, death takes everybody.

We cannot reversed the time clock but we can get more out of our later life if we put in effort.

Frankie Goh is a family counselor and researcher. He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Healthbuy.com Herbal Products & Dermitage Wrinkles-Free Program.