Increased Sense of Purpose, Reduced Feelings of Isolation, and Sense of Accomplishment
”I discovered things I never knew about other faiths. It was such a good class.”
“I really liked learning and thinking more through the discussions and small groups.”
“I signed up for the class for something to do but found I was surprised how much I loved connecting with others and hearing their experiences of aging.”
Research has shown that learning new things, such as exploring new subjects, stimulates the brain and can help maintain or even improve cognitive abilities like memory, problem-solving, and attention.
Another great resource from The Center for Abundant Aging, Abundant Aging Classes are online Zoom classes to encourage, celebrate, refresh and nourish spiritual lives of older adults. Facilitated by professionals with experience in ministry, group spiritual direction, chaplaincy or other specialized areas related to spirituality and aging, the classes include participants from around the country.
Upcoming Classes Include:
How to Be a Blesser to Others and to Yourself (begins Sept. 16)
Chair Yoga for Movement (begins Oct. 2)
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams (offered Oct. 6)
Intermissio: A Pause to Listen in a More Profound Way (begins Oct. 22)
An Act of Love: Preparing Today for Peace of Mind (begins Nov. 10)
Surviving Holiday Grief (date to be confirmed)
For more information about each class, click on the link or go to www.UnitedChurchHomes.org/blog/category/courses/
The Power of Curiosity
Are you a curious person? It has been argued that curiosity makes us more intelligent—enhancing our critical thinking skills and making us more likely to question assumptions, challenge beliefs, assess evidence, and so make better, more informed decisions. In fact, Albert Einstein actually stated that “curiosity is more important than intelligence.”
In fact, longevity experts are advising older adults to take up new hobbies and engage in new pursuits—like learning a foreign language, yoga, dancing, or playing a musical instrument—to counteract inevitable declines in brain functioning and stimulate, or revitalize, our brains.
Becoming More Curious
What can you do if you would like to develop a deeper sense of curiosity?
One way is to begin to ask questions. Think of those five questions you might have learned in an English or writing class in school: Who? What? Why? When? And How?
As an example, if you were interested in learning how to better protect yourself from financial scams and fraud, you might ask: Who is most likely to be a victim? What are the most common types of scams? Why is someone more likely to participate in a scam? When is fraud more likely to occur? And How do I ensure I don’t inadvertently become a target for scammers?
To learn more about the answers to these questions, you could research them yourself or you could take our Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams class which begins Oct. 6th.
Curiosity and learning have many benefits. Consider signing up for a class, maybe one of the Center for Abundant Aging classes, or a class from your local college or university through Ohio’s “Program 60” where residents age 60 and older can attend classes at state colleges and universities tuition-free on a non-credit basis, subject to space availability and sometimes instructor approval. Many states have similar programs. Also consider classes offered by AARP or your local library or community center.
Discovering new things can be even more fun when done with a friend or family member. Find someone else who may have a similar interest.
Would you like to explore the vital and often overlooked role of creativity in aging well? Plan to participate in person or online at the Abundant Aging Symposium, Ignite Creative Potential: The Aging Superpower. Exploring New Options, Self-Expression and Experiencing Joy on Friday, Oct. 31st.
For Reflection (either individually or with a group)
Read the blog. Read it a second time, maybe reading it aloud or asking someone else to read it aloud so you can hear it with different intonation and emphases. Invite the Divine to open your heart to allow the light of new understanding to pierce the shadows of embedded assumptions, stereotypes, and ways of thinking so that you may live more abundantly. Then spend some time with the following questions together with anything or anyone who helps you reflect more deeply.
Download a pdf including the Reflection Questions to share and discuss with friends, family, or members of your faith community small group.
Courtesy of The Center for Abundant Aging, promoting the riches of Abundant Aging; advocating for an inclusive society that conquers ageism; and delivering education and resources to transform how we think about elderhood.
Blog: Copyright 2025, Kim Moeller. All Rights Reserved. Photo designed by Freepik.