In my opinion, staying busy is the key. Depression comes from sitting around feeling useless. I've also found that the emotional affect lags the activity. It is not a matter of getting up the ambition to do something. It is a matter of doing something, the ambition and commitment follows as a result of the activity.

I'm 60, retired from Federal Service, just moved back to New Mexico and keep pretty busy. I've joined the Optimists, am a committed volunteer with the Tingley Hospital Foundation and have recently gotten involved with a project to restore Santa Fe Railroad Steam Engine number 2926. There's a group of people doing the same to an engine in Boulder. The plan is to run the two engines, with period coaches, back and forth between the two cities as a tourist attraction. Any old railroaders out there?????

Working under the philosophy that you're either growing, or you're dying, I've also studied and gotten securities and insurance licenses and have started my own financial planning business as an independent. Anybody care to join me??

I've joined the German/American club, Edelweis Am Rio Grande, gotten on the board and am taking dance lessons every Thurs nite. All are welcome, come out and join the fun!!!

I am not bored and do not feel useless. I tried depression and didn't like it. I keep going to sleep.

Getting older may not be all that great, but it beats the heck out of the alternative.

Well as for ageing I've only just begun! I turn a grand old 53 tomorrow 10/26. "Happy Birthday to me!" (Oh well, somebody had to do it!)

Times sure are depressing nowadays. I found myself laid off after 28 years with US West. (How dare they with only 2 years to go?) I'm starting to feel the aches and pains in these bones. Wife is all wrapped up in her job (now a career woman after staying home to raise the kids who are now out on their own).

I could go on and on. However, I've found that the newspaper and now the computer have done one thing that helps. Any time I feel old, depressed, worthless, or whatever, all I need do is look over my shoulder at the paper or in this darn computer and I can find someone who is much worse off than I am. Then I can start looking at how lucky I have it.

I managed to save enough that being laid off has actually been good. They forced me to leave the stressful world of big business, and I can't believe how wonderful it is. With my retirement check (thank goodness for the boss that made me start a 401K years ago as the only way he would give me a raise), the investment return will actually provide me with more money than if I was still working. Now my only stress is figuring out what I want to do with all this time I have. I have so many options I don't know where to start. I have found that now that I'm not working I'm not spending $2/3 hundred bucks a month.

Again, once you face up to the fears of life head on, you are only left with decisions to make that could/can lead to opportunity. If you just look outward instead of inward. Looking outward you can find opportunity to see just how good you have it no matter what has happened. There is always someone worse off. If you disagree you can always call Dr. Kervorkian I guess.

Jim Price in Texas writes:

I ran across an article that indicated there was a way to keep the mind from going away as you get older. It was short and to the point. Buy a newspaper each day and read it from beginning to end. All the articles about as many various things as you can find. The different information will keep your mind active and not allow it to become more and more restricted. Small town, small paper, read it from front to back. Large town, large paper, read it from front to back. If you refuse to spend that much time, try to find a small town paper and read it from front to back. Don't be selective and just read what you think is interesting. Read it all. Maybe a cup of black coffee to go with it. It is really a fantastic way to expand a portion of your life.

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