Getting Older - Not Such A Bad Thing Really.

For a long time now, in our society, there has been a cultural change going on. Somehow, we have grown into a population, whose goal in life is to stay forever young. Now, we all know that’s impossible, so why should we stress ourselves out when we approach a birthday, especially since getting older is something we all do.

How have we gotten to this place of disrespect for our elders? Why is it, we seem to dread getting older? What’s wrong with becoming a mature person? The questions go on and on about this obstacle…this hurdle... we have allowed to, inflate into an explosion, within our country.

Joining this way of thinking somehow creeps in and happens before you’re even aware what’s going on in your psyche. Without much thought as to how or when it happened, I’ve jumped on the bandwagon and have not given much thought to jesting about getting older. I’ve proudly admitted, in my circle of close friends, that I’m the baby in the group and have always been on the ready to throw them their “over the hill” parties when they turned 50. Which, by the way, we’re all in our 60’s now. A few years ago my younger sister, now in her 50’s found her way into our band of chums and she proudly admits, when we’re all together, that she is the youngest in our gang.

Everyone Beware; we all get replaced sooner or later by a younger, more vibrant model!

So, now I’m in my 60’s, or should I say the “new 50’s”? Don’t you think all this huff about 50 being the new 40 and so forth, is really just a form of denial? Another dig about how bad it must be to grow older. So I guess that means when I’m 90 I’m supposed to act and feel like I’m 80. Well, 80 is still old no matter how you look at it. Frankly, I don’t think I need to waste any brain cells on trying to keep up with all that math. We old folks need to save our brain cells whenever we can.

Besides, when a mature person begins acting young, you better watch out, because someone might just think they're losing it and have them declared incompetent. Society can’t make its mind up. Should a person behave like they are 70 and be frowned upon for being an oldie or strive to be young and free spirited and possibly be committed?

It's no wonder, we are often thought of being in a fog, so to speak. Really, we're just trying to figure out the math and what's acceptable by society's standards to be accepted????

We all hear about age being only a number. Of course, when you’re younger that’s easier lived because getting older is not always an easy place to be. Perhaps that’s why we all dread getting there. It’s true old age is not for sissies. You have to use all that stuff, you’ve picked up along all your travels of life, to make it during this part of the trip. One of the things I’ve learned so far is that I can either “go through” this time or “grow through” this part of my Adventure.

Like everything we go through in this life, we have a CHOICE. We can CHOOSE to live in denial about becoming a mature member of society and accept that old is not a place anyone in their right mind would want to be … OR … we can CHOOSE to embrace this place, this time in our life with fun and enthusiasm and look forward to the Adventure. The CHOICE is yours!

Well, I say, if age is only a number ........ then everyone knows .......... the bigger the number the better!

What I’d like to do, is propose a new way of thinking. Accept your age! Better yet accept and proclaim your pride in getting through all the years of life you have so far. You had to do a lot of struggling and climbing to make it to the top of your hill... in order to even be … over the hill.

Be proud of your aches and pains, your balding head and graying mane. These men that shave their heads to make a fashion statement are really proclaiming...they want to look like someone older and wiser. And they do, don’t they. Instead of spending thousands on covering up the gray, spend that money and time taking a mini trip somewhere or a shopping excursion at the toy store for a “no reason” fun gift for that grandchild you adore, who could care less what color your hair is. Grandkids accept you just the way you are. Gray hair or no hair, fat or slim, fast or slow; doesn't matter to them. And isn't acceptance all anyone ever really desires?

Please scroll on down to bottom of page and leave a comment. Your thoughts of my story are important to me. Thanks again. PaisleeGal