Do the words “anti-aging” tend to catch your eye?
We are advised to eat certain foods, use certain creams, exercise, use fillers in our face , threads, travel, face lifts - lots to choose from!!
I believe that we need to do our part to age with as much health and vitality and positive emotion as we can, however, like the moving walkway in the airport, aging is not going to slow down. So then, HOW do we want to age? Who do I want to become during this time? What is my new purpose?
We begin to become aware of changes. Our bodies begin to change (no details needed, we all know what I mean), our roles can change, our parents die, friends move away, children leave home, illness can begin - job change or retirement are a few examples.
Lots of loss, lots of change; some people just ease into this time, some struggle a little and some fight it for all they’re worth.
I have observed that there are two responses, and I see both in my contemporaries. The first is one of sadness and anger over the process. One can get complacent, sloppy, lose interest in life and binge on t.v. Complaining a lot, becoming bitter, feeling it’s our right to say and do rude things because of our age. It becomes a license to become abusive and impatient, unkind and demanding.
As you can imagine, this would not be pleasant for you or for anyone around you.
Or, option two, is to see it as a new time to explore with curiosity and interest what this time of life has to offer and more importantly, what can I bring to the experience? Me, making a conscious choice to age with purpose and grace and not just float down the stream hardly present and just waiting…..
First, we can think of it as an adventure! You are going down a new road. Be very curious, what in you is still waiting to be developed? Who can we be helpful to? Whose life can we help make a difference in? We have an opportunity to go ahead to show others the way to age gracefully.
Spiritually, it’s an especially good time to deepen our faith, be of more service, connect deeper with your God. We can grow our consciousness. We now have the time to pray, reflect, read books. This is really a great time to explore your faith deeper or to develop a relationship with God that is more experiential. It can be a time to spend time in deep silence, practice mindfulness, try yoga.
Spiritual teachers suggest: Practice gratitude, share wisdom, reach out to someone lonely, make it a time of soul growth. Learn to meditate, practice kindness, be generous and accepting. Make everyone feel good and welcome around you.
Aging with grace and purpose puts others first, we lessen self-focus and radiate out care and love to others which we can do in so many ways. The rewards are immense, and this can be a very fulfilling time of our life.