Touching moments with seniors

Last Friday, I had the privilege of sharing some very touching moments with a group of seniors in Montreal. Very touching indeed.

I took part in a shoot for Fernand Dansereau’s next film – Le Vieil âge et l’Espérance.

I met Fernand in 2011, I think—the year he was shooting his film *Le Vieil âge et le rire*, in which laughter yoga played a small part. This man is the kind of person who honors us with his friendship. Filmmaker, director, screenwriter—we owe him so many films and TV series! Many of the films Fernand Dansereau was involved in as a producer have won a whole string of national and international awards. In fact, *Le Vieil âge et le rire* won the Audience Favorite Award at the Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois! His body of work is so rich and extensive that I invite you to check out the list on Wikipedia!

Anyway, last Friday I was with a lovely group of 10 seniors, all aged between 80 and… 98. The cameras, pole and microphone intimidated us all at the start of the laughter yoga workshop. But as we progressed through the exercise, the more I saw the eyes sparkle with pleasure and the less we were bothered by the technique. Something wonderful happened between us: a complicity of laughter, joy and good humor.

Positive attitude

Despite the weight of years, physical restrictions and cognitive loss, many of the participants I asked to let go of their worries responded: I have nothing to let go of! I’m all right! I’m not hurt. I’m just fine.

This positive, serene attitude gave me a lot to think about on my way back to Ottawa.

If senior citizens in long-term accommodation, old and even very old, in wheelchairs and walking frames, tell me that everything is fine, what do I have to complain about sometimes? I go where I want, I eat what I want, I see who I want… Yes, I have occasional physical aches and pains. Yes, I have annoyances. But me too, I’m Fine and All’s Well, so it’s a choice? Well… Maybe so after all! As Sonia DiMaulo taught me in the spring, by keeping my words positive, I attract more positivity to myself!

These seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease, with serious physical challenges… and no longer “young”, I saw them happy and serene. After experimenting with a few laughter yoga exercises adapted to their condition, I saw them smiling, cheeks rosy, eyes bright.

I practice what I teach?

I was a bit nervous when I arrived… It’s never a foregone conclusion when I’m working with groups. Will they like what I suggest? Will they be able to overcome their initial embarrassment and let themselves laugh… at nothing? How will they react? And last Friday, I was feeling a little extra stress because the technical crew was going to be watching my every move and filming for Fernand’s movie. I often say this when I’m training facilitators or teachers: the focus shouldn’t be on us, but rather on the people who are with us when we’re leading a workshop. That’s why I can laugh at myself—because it probably took me a good five minutes to stop worrying about whether my hair looked okay on camera, whether I’d be able to get these people to participate, or whether I’d be “good enough”! Hahahaha! — Yes, yes! I’m laughing at myself!!

My lessons.

In the end, what I took away from this exercise was the following:

• Do your best and forget the rest… it doesn’t belong to you – Learn to let go.
• When you DECIDE to take things positively, they become positive.
• Age is a funny concept… it’s possible to be 98 and look 80!
• After a while, if we’re busy, we stop seeing the disturbing elements – Focus on what matters.
• You can do lots of important or fun things at any age – Thank you Fernand for showing me so beautifully.
• Even if we sometimes forget, our childlike heart is never far away – the mischievous eyes bore witness to this.
• The good old songs of yesteryear stay with us – I’ve seen them humming with Doris Day
• And as my grandmother Éva’s favourite song says, the heart never gets old! – Despite the wrinkles!

Fernand Dansereau, I’m honoured by your presence in my life! Thank you for allowing me to experience such beautiful and extraordinary things!