Achy joints can put a damper on your favorite pastimes. And giving up these activities can leave you feeling disengaged and bored.

But don’t blame it on a dull environment. A study by John Eastwood, PhD, a professor and psychologist at York University in Toronto, Canada, found that participants who lost touch with their emotions were more prone to boredom. Eastwood says emotional detachment breeds boredom because a person “loses compass points that steer us toward satisfying activity.”

Acknowledge your feelings and grieve your loss, says Eastwood. “Just don’t get stuck there.”

To get unstuck, find a comparable activity with similar underlying appeal. If you bowled, for example, on a deeper level you may actually crave the social connection.

Arthritis-induced ankle pain lead Gail Kershner Riggs, a retired faculty member in rheumatology and geriatrics at the Arizona Arthritis Center in Tucson, to give up gourmet cooking. But she preserves the inner joy of her hobby by hosting dinner parties: Friends bring the entrees while she fills in with side dishes and sets a beautiful table. “I still get to experience a delicious meal with friends,” says Riggs.

Consider re-engaging in new pursuits to satisfy your inner urges.

Passion: Camaraderie and competition
Former activity: Bowling, tennis, kickball, golf
New pursuit: Game night  Invite friends over for a weekly game of Nintendo Wii tennis, golf, baseball or boxing. If you don’t have a Wii, hold backgammon, Scrabble, chess or bridge tournaments.

Passion: Creative expression
Former activity: Drawing, pottery, sculpture, woodworking
New pursuit: Art appreciationVisit museums and galleries to study the masterpieces of favorite painters. Volunteer at a local art fair or support the work of a local budding artist.

Passion: Water sports
Former activity: Water-skiing, kite-surfing, white-water rafting
New pursuit: Deep-water running Strap on a flotation device and jump into the pool. It’s non-impact and you’ll still be getting a cardio and strength workout. Or paddle on smooth water in a lightweight kayak, which is easy to maneuver and spares lower joints.

Passion: Communing with nature
Former activity: Gardening
New pursuit: Sponsor a school or community garden. Volunteer at an arboretum or botanical garden. Or broaden your knowledge by becoming a master gardener through your state or county extension service.

Passion: Outdoor adventure
Former activity: Hiking, rock-climbing, skiing
New pursuit: Drive to short, accessible paths to waterfalls, mountain views and scenic canyons.In a few steps you can immerse yourself in the natural world. Alternatively, you could rent a fully-equipped camper and stay overnight in state or national park.

Passion: Diverse cultures
Former activity: Globe-trotting
New pursuit: Travel vicariously with Couch Surfers (www.couchsurfing.org), a worldwide network that lets you host visitors from around the world (and vice versa). You’ll learn about the world’s far-flung places from people who live there.

I'd like to add... join and travel with the Honor Society at Victory International Fellowship. 3285 N. Calhoun Rd. Brookfield, Wi. 53005.   This group plans monthly activities and a fall 7 to 10 day trip..that is enjoyed by anyone 50 plus, all are invited. For more information you can call and ask for the activity flyer that is sent out quarterly. The number to call is, 262-783-2900..

"We make our habits , and then our habits make us."   ~John Dryden

How true this is..as we grow older sometimes the things we were able to do are difficult, or just not possible.  It's at this time we realize we need to accept change and make new habits. Habits that keep us active mentally and physically, with a few restrictions. Here is another quote that relates to this subject..

"You often hear, 'be bold, take a leap ! Sometimes you should, other times there's a better idea...TAKE A STEP."                                                 ~Harry Beckwith

"The positive thinker see's the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible."                                                                                ~Robert H. Schuller

Lord help me to be a positive thinker..I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...

Don't let your passion for life be stolen...!