What motivates you?

The challenge that most motivates me is that of staving off mental and physical deterioration that so often accompanies old age and “ chronological enhancement”.

I know that age is an inevitability, but worry deeply about whether my capacities will keep on giving as they have supported me so faithfully over the years of my life.

I have had one knee replacement and a hip replacement. I have had surgery for other issues but fortunately have recovered reasonably well. At one stage I had to use Canadian crutches but these are no longer necessary. My hardest task physically is climbing stairs or getting up from low-set chairs. But I’m keeping on keeping on and trying to undertake these and other physical activities with as

little support as possible.

I also worry about my ability to articulate and share orally with others. Fortunately, I am still able to speak clearly and think my way through situations requiring oral communication.

Lucidity and clarity are important to me as qualities of communication both orally and when writing. Regular and constant practice and usage in these areas is important for I don’t want to lose my capacities in that regard.

One of the things that helps me is the editing I do on assignments being compiled by my grandchildren. That helps them and it also helps me through what might be called a shared awareness and understanding with my grandchildren.

So my greatest motivation for living on at the moment in an individual sense is retaining my physical and mental capacities.

If and when they fade away, I want to be able to leave this mortal life.