Last night, someone at a grannie client's senior residence shared that with me her appreciation that I always make her think. She'd asked me a question about what's happening on our national political stage. Don't recall my response, but am still smiling at remembering her quiet comment.
That's a primary reason behind my WHY for working with older friends - they make me look at things from a different perspective, hopefully I do the same in return. Now that I ponder it, the same is true for all my friends, across all ages. As much as I enjoy sharing my point of view, I want to hear theirs even more.
And I love to hear from all ages, from interesting youngsters to mouthy teens & far beyond. Different ages see things in different ways.
When I spout off on Facebook, at Mumbles of a Radical Centrist or older2elder, to friends & loved ones, my hope is not for agreement, but to engage others to share what they think.
That drove my family nuts. They never got what I was after, always assumed I was cleverly trying to influence - or, worse, manipulate - them to agree with me. Yes, I am going to go toe-to-toe in presenting my point of view ~and~ my expectation is that they will do the same.
Over the past few days, several people have shared with me appreciation for my having helped them look at something in a new or different light, including an older friend who INSISTED that I join his senior residence's weekly current events discussion because he knew I'd help keep it hopping.
For someone who spent well over half a century dealing with people who always looked behind what I said for a secret meaning, who felt my every action came from a hidden agenda, having others feel that I make them think, that I stir up discussion with a personal opinion but without judgment or agenda - that feels great.
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