“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw
Keep playing.
What better advice is there as we get older than to stay joyful, be silly, have fun and keep playing? And who benefits more from that advice, if you’re a grandparent, than your grandchildren?
Sure it’s wise to get a good night’s sleep, eat more leafy greens and walk at least 10,000 steps every day, but how much fun is that compared to, say, riding a rollercoaster, starting a water fight, or playing a practical joke.
“The most important advice we offer people about longevity is, ‘Throw away your lists,’” says Howard Friedman, professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and co-author of The Longevity Project. “We live in a self-help society full of lists: ‘lose weight, hit the gym.’ So why aren’t we all healthy? People who live a long time can work hard and play hard.”
To help you put more fun into your role supporting your family, and to emphasize play, this issue of Grand features articles on topics ranging from 10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent, cooking with your grandkids, and creating and launching a podcast, to running your first 10k, the gift of giving, and developing digital literacy. There’s 7 Grand, a compilation of ideas and inspiration to help keep you in-the-know and connected to community, there’s a grandmother’s guide to bonding with grandsons, and there’s an article to help get you out and about while still staying close to home. Have fun, and remember: you’re as young as you feel!
Grand is as diverse and engaged as you are. Together, we’re a powerful and positive force—in our grandchildren’s lives and in our communities.
