Getting older doesn't mean that the party is over. For those who read some of the articles I write, and are also getting on in age, I feel obliged to share something very important. There is a world out there waiting to meet you. Sure, you may have days when life looks pretty bad, but from my experience, it doesn't have to stay that way.

My husband and I went out to eat at one of the local casinos last evening, and at the adjoining table were a couple who appeared to be our age. I spoke to the woman, and she responded that it was so nice to meet friendly people. Her words have remained with me, and the message they delivered said a lot.

Living in a senior residence as I do, I watch others like myself sitting alone and clearly in need of conversation. Although there are days when I don't feel particularly communicative, I try to smile and say a few words to them.

This is not the only place where I attempt to reach out to people who appear to be my contemporaries. Another is the Bingo parlor where I go several times a week, and where one also finds individuals who appear to be lonely and in need of conversation.

In addition, a while back I volunteered to make calls to people who were homebound, and I call a specific gentleman who is unfortunately not able to get out of the house very often. It makes me happy when he is apparently very glad to hear my voice, and I come away from the phone feeling much happier then I felt before making the call.

For a long time, I was tutoring people in a program at the public library where individuals go to improve their English. The last couple with whom I worked were from Iraq and had run from ISIS. So having taught religion at the college level, I was familiar with their Muslim faith. At our first meeting, I held out my arms to them and said, "Salaam, salaam." They were both brought to tears, and my heart felt full. Once again, communication provided the answer for me.

Today is a very important day for those who practice Christianity. It commemorates the death of a man called Jesus who spent his life trying to communicate love to others. The lesson all may learn from his life, regardless of whether they practice a specific faith, is that as humans, our major responsibility is to go outside of ourselves and make an effort to help others who need to share even a moment when the world doesn't feel as cold and lonely as it often does.

Another man of religion was Gautama Buddha, who left great wealth to go out in the world and also follow the same path. There have been others too, but what remains clear is the message they have left for us to follow.