By Loretta Humble/Living Well
(Guest blogger this week is Donna Rinn)
It’s June. Is anyone else as surprised as I am that May is over and 2017 in nearly half gone? I’m sure that many of you have been tearing up the roads seeing people who are getting married or graduating. Tis the season! It has been a wonderfully exhausting time for me, and while I have truly enjoyed spending time with seldom seen friends and family members, seasons like these present a challenge for me, as an introvert.
Most who know me would probably define me as an extrovert. It can be quite confusing for the people in our lives who think of us this way while inside we constantly crave alone time. I found a saying online that helped me to define the issue: “Yes, I am an introvert. No, I am not shy.” I’ll just leave this here for you to ponder.
Loretta has been sharing information with us from AARP on tips for living longer. In last week’s installation, tip #33 was get social. We were told that loneliness increases the risk of early death by 45 percent. Yikes! I am wondering if self-inflicted loneliness might even be worse. The article suggests that we visit a friend, go to church, join a club, or volunteer.
I thought I would explore the idea of volunteering (and possibly increase our longevity) by contacting someone who may live well into her 100s if AARP has anything to say about it. Go find a dictionary and look up volunteer in it, you may find Malakoff’s Pat Isaacson pictured there. Without Pat, Malakoff might not have a Chamber of Commerce, a Christmas Parade, Cornbread Festival, Rotary Club luncheon, Historical Society or a Museum. These things are all housed in the Flagg House on Main Street in Malakoff. Yes, seriously, Malakoff has a museum, and yes, you can have a free tour because of Pat’s love for volunteering. Maybe she has figured out something that we all need to understand about longevity.
Advising an introvert to get social is like asking a toddler to stand up and run across the living room. They may really want to do it but it seems impossible. For some of us, bravery, willingness and practice may be the key. Pat is laid back, flexible, and a joy to spend time with. She is currently in need of some help with a painting project (as well as cleaning up I bet) and pitching in to help could extend your life! Why not give Pat a call or send a text to (903) 489-1346 and see what she is up to. I will bet you’ll be happy that you did.