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The members of the senior citizens‘ club are old. Hence the name. Most members also have health problems. Consideration and compassion are therefore prerequisites for a good atmosphere in a senior citizens’ club.
I have been a member of such a club for more than three years. We play games, paint and also do sports together. The atmosphere is relaxed. Everyone knows each other's health problems and takes them into consideration.
Now a younger man comes along, complains about his illnesses and starts to play the boss. He couldn't care less about other people's health problems.
Specifically: we play ‘boules’ in a group. When the weather is bad, we play in a covered room. When the weather is good, we play outside. There are several lanes to play on. Two lanes are in the shade or have shady areas. One lane is in full sun.
I have had multiple skin cancer surgeries. In addition, one eye has been operated on three times. My dermatologist has advised me to avoid the sun in general. The ophthalmologist recommended that I not look at the sun and always wear sunglasses in bright light. So the sun is pure poison for me.
Consequently, I never played on the lane with full sunlight.
The other players always respected that.
Now the new guy comes and I'm supposed to play in the sun. I refuse for health reasons. Another player, over 85 years old, also does not want to play outside. He doesn't care!
The group goes outside. I stand there and think. Should I mess with an aggressive, younger man, or submit? The recommendations of my doctors, and my health problems, help me make a decision. I decide not to play in the sun.
Alternatively, I could play in the group whose track is at least partly in the shade. So I go to this group and ask if I can play with them. Everyone agrees. Except for one person. He doen'nt want to get involved. I am deeply disappointed. I didn't expect this person to have so little backbone.
But, you can be wrong about people.
So I leave. Without comment, without bitterness, but with the realisation that the aggressive usually prevail because the good guys don't have the courage to assert themselves.
But I don't want to complain, because besides the health problems, there was another reason for me to just leave: I had another opportunity to make meaningful use of my free time, and I took advantage of that.
I have been a member of such a club for more than three years. We play games, paint and also do sports together. The atmosphere is relaxed. Everyone knows each other's health problems and takes them into consideration.
Now a younger man comes along, complains about his illnesses and starts to play the boss. He couldn't care less about other people's health problems.
Specifically: we play ‘boules’ in a group. When the weather is bad, we play in a covered room. When the weather is good, we play outside. There are several lanes to play on. Two lanes are in the shade or have shady areas. One lane is in full sun.
I have had multiple skin cancer surgeries. In addition, one eye has been operated on three times. My dermatologist has advised me to avoid the sun in general. The ophthalmologist recommended that I not look at the sun and always wear sunglasses in bright light. So the sun is pure poison for me.
Consequently, I never played on the lane with full sunlight.
The other players always respected that.
Now the new guy comes and I'm supposed to play in the sun. I refuse for health reasons. Another player, over 85 years old, also does not want to play outside. He doesn't care!
The group goes outside. I stand there and think. Should I mess with an aggressive, younger man, or submit? The recommendations of my doctors, and my health problems, help me make a decision. I decide not to play in the sun.
Alternatively, I could play in the group whose track is at least partly in the shade. So I go to this group and ask if I can play with them. Everyone agrees. Except for one person. He doen'nt want to get involved. I am deeply disappointed. I didn't expect this person to have so little backbone.
But, you can be wrong about people.
So I leave. Without comment, without bitterness, but with the realisation that the aggressive usually prevail because the good guys don't have the courage to assert themselves.
But I don't want to complain, because besides the health problems, there was another reason for me to just leave: I had another opportunity to make meaningful use of my free time, and I took advantage of that.
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